Using Technology To Get Outside – Geocaching!
As the weather starts to turn a little warmer and we start seeing the sun again, we can once again get out and get some much needed fresh air! We often tend to think of technology and apps as being the antithesis of exercise and outdoor pursuits, but it can in fact provide the perfect stimulus for a real alfresco adventure!
If you have never heard of geocaching, it is essentially a massive outdoor treasure hunt, using GPS and a smart device to locate thousands of hidden ‘caches’ or boxes all over the world! It has been around for a little while now, but it has never been more popular. Technology often gets a bad reputation for putting a stop to children playing and exploring outdoors, but this is certainly a great way to combine both, along with some other fantastic educational and developmental benefits. To get started all you need is a GPS enabled phone and the (free) Geocaching app. From there it’s just a case of scanning your local area for caches, then setting off on a treasure hunt! The caches themselves vary from large boxes, to tiny film canisters and even fake rocks with hidden compartments. Often the caches contain a small trinket to take away and most have log books to sign to record your find. If this all sounds like fun, please have a read of some of the websites linked here for a handy starters guide!
A great guide to geocaching with small children - https://smallerexplorer.co.uk/geocaching-with-kids-a-short-guide
Top tips for getting started - https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/watch/lets-go-club-geocaching
The official geocaching website - https://www.geocaching.com/play
The official geocaching app - https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id329541503
If you have any questions about this, or any other aspect of computing, please do not hesitate to get in touch!
