Geocaching in Detroit

Well, I finally tried it: geocaching, a high-tech version of hide-and-seek that uses a hand-held, Global Positioning System (GPS) to find secret caches. Of course, you have to have the GPS to be able to play, so the activity isn’t entirely free unless you have a gadget-loving buddy who always wants to drive and never asks for gas money. For the most part, the sport (?) is still under the radar of most Metro Detroiters; but you’d be surprised just how many caches are hidden in your local park, store parking lot or nearby woods; there are over 10,000 in Michigan alone.

The fun in geocaching comes from the thrill of the hunt. Ultimately, the thrill is dependent on the imagination and ingenuity of the person who hides the cache. Some of the best caches are hidden in parks, woods, or even the Detroit Zoo. Still others are interesting because they tell a story, such as Moscow32’s Harry Potter series, or include a puzzle.

My advice is to tag along with an established geocacher and see whether you like the activity before investing in a GPS device. Pick a cache in a park or nature area and participate in a small group (two to three people maximum) so you have a chance to use the GPS personally.

More Information:

• Profile of Geocaching in Detroit