Geocaching is the high-tech, outdoor treasure hunting game that many have become, dare I say, addicted too? It might be difficult for someone that is not a geocacher to buy an appropriate gift for a geocacher. Here are some great ideas that are sure to make that high-tech adventurer happy this holiday season.
1. A GPS – These high-tech devices are the Geocacher’s primary tool. It is ultimately what Geocachers use to find that elusive cache. Their price range is from $85 to $600, so whatever your budget, you can’t go wrong with a new Geographical Positioning System.
2. Handheld PDA – A Palm Pilot for instance. These awesome little devices allow your Geocacher to take the “Cache Pages” (normally found on the internet and then printed out for your outing) with them! They call it “paperless caching”, and your Geocacher will thank you many, many times over for it.
3. The Complete Guide to Geocaching DVD – Are they new to the game? This DVD describes the sport of Geocaching, covering topics such as the history of the game, finding your first cache, hiding a cache and Geocaching with children. This one video will answer many of your questions and is a great way to introduce Geocaching to friends!
4. First to Find Card Game – This is a card game created by Geocachers for Geocachers. It uses a standard deck of playing cards with the four seasons as the suits. Each card has stunning, original artwork on this high quality game. It has been developed, like Geocaching, to be played with by the entire family. What a great gift for those cold winter months!
5. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Geocaching – While it’s cold outside, Geocachers like to read about Geocaching! What better book than the “official” guide to the sport! For the seasoned Cacher or the beginner, this book is fun and informative including expert tips and idiot-proof advice on using your GPS unit to find those caches.
6. Travel Bugs – Travel Bug tags are for hitchhikers in the Geocaching game. All Geocachers need these tages to attach to items to hide in caches for other Geocachers to find and move! Travel bugs can be given goals for others to try to accomplish and are a fun part of the game. Best of all, they make great stocking stuffers.
7. Hiking/Walking Stick – Since Geocaching takes you off in any direction, hiking sticks are a popular item for a Geocacher to have available. Not only can they be used for walking and support, they are commonly used to probe bushes and turn over rocks where you might otherwise not want to stick your hands. There are commercial hiking sticks and licensed Geocaching hiking sticks.
8. Compass – There are many Geocachers that don’t carry a compass, and they should! What if the batteries in that fancy GPSr go dead? Make sure you get a compass with instructions too, they may have learned how to use a compass in school or cub scouts, but if they’re like most, the never planned on being in the woods anyway, and probably didn’t listen during that class!
9. Trekker or Travel Vest – These are the vests with all kinds of pockets all over them. They’re used for fishing, hunting, etc. They are great for Geocaching! A good example is the Columbia Sportswear Trekker Travel Vest. There is room for your GPSr, cell phone, compass some Geocaching Swag, a digital camera, and tons of room to spare.
10. GeoCoins – If you are a Geocacher, you know what a GeoCoin is. If not, just Google it, and you will learn fast. It started with “signature items” that Cachers would leave in caches for others to find. Now, they are more sophisticated, looking like a military challenge coin. There are hundreds to choose from, and good deals to be found on auction websites that could start or add to a collection.
Geocaching like many other hobbies and sports continues to grow, and with its growth comes the things you “need” to have fun with the hobby. If you have a Geocacher in your family, don’t forget their hobby when it comes time for the holidays. They’ll be surprised you remembered, and thank you over and over.
Reference:
- Check out some of these websites for finding gifts for your Geocacher or learning about Geocaching! Geocaching.comGeocaching UniversityGroundspeak (Geocaching Store)GPS Guide for Beginners
