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The Chaska branch of the Carver County library recently struck up a partnership with the Minnesota Cache Odyssey, a three-stage geocaching adventure. Interested seekers can join in on the geocaching website or app.
“We were pleased to work together on this fun, interactive project,” said Chaska Branch Manager Kevin Spencer. “Multi-generation families or friends can work together to find geocaches, so it’s a great activity to join people together. It’s an example of how we deliver more than just books to our patrons.”
Geocaching is an activity that involves using a GPS device to find hidden containers (called geocaches) hidden all over the world. While the pastime has been in existence for 25 years, it surged in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Consider it an outdoor treasure hunt, or a modern version of hide-and-seek, that involves exploring new places and learning about the world.
Steps involved in geocaching:
- Download and open the Geocaching® app – locate geocaches near you and select one to find. Before you head out, grab a pen so you can sign the logbook inside the cache.
- Navigate to the geocache – go outside and use the app to navigate to it.
- Look for the geocache – once you get to the location, check the recent activity and hints for clues. Caches come in all shapes and sizes.
- Find and log the geocache – sign your username in the geocache’s logbook and place the cache back where you found it. Log your find in the app or on Geocaching.com to watch your find count increase!
Cache Odyssey GeoTours has developed a series of special geocaches. Organizers have hidden a geocache in every U.S. state. Divided into six tours by geography, the Midwest region includes Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Members of the Geocache Talk Podcast initiated the project and worked with some of the best geocaching hiders in every state to identify locations. Each cache is unique, family-friendly and wheelchair-accessible. Hunters can explore scenic spots, learn local history and uncover hidden treasures. Participants can also track progress on a leaderboard.
“This special nation-wide geotour will be active at least three years, but hopefully even longer than that. This series of Cache Odyssey geocaches is the only completely wheelchair-accessible series in the world, so it’s great for people of all ages and abilities,” said Joshua Johnson, a geocaching expert who runs a Geocaching Youtube vlog. He was selected to be the geocache “hider” for Minnesota.
Begin your hunt today!
