Adventures in Geocaching 2022

 Adventures in Geocaching

We are thick into the Summer State Park Geocache Challenge at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site; with just about 2 months to go. What is Geocaching? Think Scavenger Hunt with Satellite’s! This game started in 2000 in Oregon and was then called the “GPS Stash Hunt”. The object is to search for objects by coordinates entered into a GPS receiver. The Game has grown and evolved so much since then. You can now search for Geocaches (or “caches”) from an app on your smartphone.

   But when it comes to Geocaching, Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site has something most other State Parks in the Challenge don’t have. Along with its unique history, this site has something far more special. We have David Brooks the Education Coordinator for the site helping to place and maintain the Geocaches on site. As well as advocate for the Game.

   From the moment it was decided to add Schoharie Crossing to the Challenge in 2015, David was “all in”! It was new to him at the time, but he was eager to learn what it was all about. He saw the value in bringing the game to the site, as it would draw people from all over the World (yes world!) to the site.

   Since we placed the first Geocache for the Challenge in 2015, David has been ever vigilant to make sure that the Caches on-site are cared for and maintained. He has been a great advocate for the game, encouraging events and on-site classes to teach people how the game is played. Not all State Park sites in the Challenge have this kind of cooperation from Park employees, much less the full assistance of the Education Coordinator. I have been so very fortunate to be able to work with David Brooks in bringing more people to our wonderful Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site.

   People who have lived in this area of New York and who have been to Schoharie Crossing before, have admitted that if it weren’t for the State Park Geocache Challenge, they would have never discovered the places on the site that we have taken them to. Simply by hiding a Geocache in anyone of the amazing places at Schoharie Crossing, we have brought people to discover the rich history of this very special place. Many have returned year after year, to enjoy where the next “hide” will take them.  

   If you’re wondering how we know what people are saying about our site, there is an element to the game in which you “log” on-line that you have “found” the Geocaches that have been hidden. Most people tell of their experience in finding the Cache, sometimes sharing pictures of their visit to the site. These logs often times tell the story of what people have liked and sometime not liked about our site. Which can be very valuable information in making changes or improving things at Schoharie Crossing.  

   If you are interested in learning more about Geocaching, please go on-line to geocaching.com or download the Geocaching.com app on your smart phone and join us in “The world’s largest treasure hunt!” It’s a great way to get outdoors and start “Hiking with a Purpose”.

                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                    - B.Weldon

*Article Submitted by BWeldon, geocache volunteer and Friends of Schoharie Crossing member.

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