Geocaching the 4-H Way

If you’re looking for an economical, fun, outdoor activity for your family for spring or summer break, then you may want to try geocaching!

Geocaching is a worldwide outdoor treasure hunt for hidden caches. There are several different types of geocaches, but all caches must at least contain a log for you to sign so that others know you have also found the cache. Some caches will also contain small objects that you can take. But if you take an object, you must leave an object in its place.

To hunt a cache, you use the same Global Positioning System (GPS) that your navigational devices, such as your phone and car, use. If you visit your phone’s app store and search geocaching, you will find a variety of apps for geocaching. By using these apps, you can select a cache and the device will direct you to its location.

A group of 4-H’ers from Montgomery and Wheeler Counties recently learned about geocaching through my project called “Learning About Each Other by Geocaching the 4-H Way,” For this project, I first spoke to the Wheeler County Lions Club and shared my idea of learning about each other’s counties through geocaching, and the Club voted to support my project. Then, I made an orientation video explaining the project’s purpose and how it would work.

Each participating county was given four containers of various sizes that they were to turn into caches. In the cache, they were to place a log sheet and also a fun fact about their county. They were to then hide their four caches and record the latitude and longitude. Montgomery and Wheeler County Extension offices then exchanged the recorded latitudes and longitudes of the hidden caches.

On Monday, March 25, fourteen 4-H’ers from Montgomery and Wheeler Counties went in search of each other’s caches. After all the caches were located, all 4-H’ers and adults gathered at the Wheeler County Chamber of Commerce to discuss what they had discovered about each other’s counties and also what they had learned about geocaching. A wonderful meal was provided by the Wheeler County Lions Club. Each participating 4-H’er was given a certificate and a Geocaching the 4-H Way bag for participating. I hope other counties decide to join in on this fun activity!

When surveyed after the activity, participating 4-H’ers stated that they would like to continue to geocache and would love to hide caches for younger 4-Hers in their counties.

I would like to thank Wheeler and Montgomery County 4-H programs and the Wheeler County Lions Club, especially Mrs. Janice Mock, for supporting my project.

SEARCHING THE COUNTIES – Members of each county’s 4-H program looked for caches across the county. Pictured, Montgomery County 4-Her Ayla Hardeman reviews her find.

GEOCACHING ADVENTURE – Several Montgomery and Wheeler County 4-Hers participated in the geocaching event. L to R: Macey Bradley, Max Barrow, Ayla Hardeman, Hartley Williamson, Italy Thornton, Arnez Howard, Martin Wynn, River Thornton, Kadan Williamson, Fisher Thornton, Alexis Ricks, Anna Bowman, Cayden Thomas, Jake Henry.