With summer break just around the corner, most students will be watching TV, playing video games, sleeping, shopping, etc. But for those looking for an adventure, there is a worldwide treasure hunt called geocaching.

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunting game where a specific set of coordinates are given for the location of the item. “Geocachers” have to attempt to find the item(s) by using the GPS coordinates given. If found, the item needs to be returned or replaced with an item of equal or greater value, according to www.geocaching.com.

Out of 211 Rocklin students surveyed using surveymonkey.com only 20% of students said they have been geocaching.

There are different types of geocaches, but the most common are:
Traditional: an item in a container
Mystery or Puzzle: you have to solve a mystery/puzzle to get coordinates
Multi-Cache: two or more locations with the final location having an item
EarthCache: special geological location people can visit

In order to get started, all you have to do is set up an account. There are geocaches all over the world, including Placer county. When searching for geocaches in Rocklin, there were over 38,000 results; plenty of opportunities to find something.

“I’ve been geocaching before, and it was different. It was a cool experience; it gave me something else to do,” said Trevor Bohatch.

If you decide to try geocaching, you can keep track of what you’ve found and post pictures in the logbook on the geocaching website. If hunting starts to get boring, you can leave items as well; all you need are the coordinates, and then make sure to post the information of the website.

“I think geocaching sounds interesting. It’s unique, and I haven’t heard of many people doing it, so I might try it with my friends over . . . break,” said Rocklin High School junior, Shannon Nelson.

If you find yourself sitting around the house, go outside and try geocaching. Who knows, it could become your new hobby.