Gear Up for Geocaching

Has your family tried geocaching yet? Geocaching is a high-tech game of hiding and seeking treasure. To find a geocache (aka treasure), you’ll need to pinpoint its location using the official Geocaching app or a GPS. There are nearly one million geocaches in the U.S., so there’s a good chance there are a few near you. 

It took us a couple of tries to warm up to geocaching, but now we really enjoy it. It’s a great way to get excited about hiking, teach some basic navigation skills and get electronic-loving kids interested in an outdoor activity.

To encourage families to give geocaching a try, Geocaching HQ is sponsoring a new promotion during the month of August called Gear Up for Geocaching. Here’s the scoop.

Who 
The Gear Up for Geocaching event is open to all geocachers, both expert and new! All you need to begin your adventure is the Geocaching app or a GPS and a free Geocaching account. 

If you need a primer on geocaching, head over to the geocaching headquarters at geocaching.com. Here, you can read up on the basics and search for caches near you.

What
Three lucky entrants drawn at random will receive a prize package. Each package will include goodies from brands such as Camp Chef, Mountainsmith, Greenlayer, 7eye, MHM, Kor and Skratch Labs. Plus, each winner will receive a free one-year Geocaching Premium Membership! (You can see a full breakdown of prizes on the Geocaching blog.)

Where
To enter the Gear Up for Geocaching sweepstakes, sign up with your Geocaching username. If you’re a newbie, don’t worry – creating a username is free when you sign up for a basic membership.

When
You can enter to win one of three prize packages anytime between August 1, 2013 and August 31, 2013. Winners will be drawn in early September.

If you decide to play along, feel free to share your geocaching stories or photos on Twitter with @GoGeocaching using the hastag #GearUp. Or connect with Geocaching.com on Facebook.

So grab your GPS or smartphone, sign up for a chance to win some great gear and find a geocache near you!

The fine print: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. ONLY LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES (D.C.) WHO ARE 18 AND OLDER AND MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING OF GEOCACHING.COM AS OF THE DATE OF ENTRY ARE ELIGIBLE TO ENTER. ONE ENTRY PER PERSON. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes starts August 1, 2013 and ends August 31, 2013. For official rules, visit http://support.groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=418. Sponsor: Groundspeak, Inc.

The Groundspeak Geocaching Logo is a registered trademark of Groundspeak, Inc. Used with permission.

Note: I am not affiliated with Geocaching.com and will not profit in any way from your participation in this event. I’m sharing this information with you because I think it’s a great way to get families out and into nature.