Treasure Hunting on Long Island

Did you know that there is hidden treasure all over Long Island? No, not gold and diamonds, but geocaches. A geocache is a hidden container filled with a log book and pencil/pen, and possibly prizes. People with GPS devices can search for these containers and enjoy the outdoors at the same time.

  There are 1.4 million geocaches all over the planet and hundreds hidden right here on Long Island.  In order to participate, you will need a portable GPS device (even a smartphone with GPS capability) and a free account at www.geocaching.com.

 There are many types of geocaches to find. The most popular is the “traditional cache”, which consists of either a tupperware container or an ammo box filled with goodies, as well as a log to sign. Other geocaches, such as the “micro-cache”, may be smaller and only contain a log. Some geocaches may even contain trackable items know as “geocoins” and “travel bugs”, that travel from geocache to geocache.

  Geocaching started back in the year 2000 by Dave Ulmer, a GPS enthusiast. Since then, it has grown to over 4 million people hiding and finding geocaches all over the world.

  Here on Long Island, geocaching has become very popular. People of all ages travel to places on Long Island, they may have never otherwise known about. Most of the geocaches are hidden in parks or on public land.

 There are really only 3 rules to geocaching: 1. If you take something from the geocache, leave something of equal or greater value. 2. Write about your find in the geocache logbook. 3. Log your experience online at the geocaching website.

 Geocaching even has its own lingo, such as “FTF” (First to Find), TNLN (Took Nothing, Left Nothing) and geomuggle (a non-geocacher that may look puzzled at a geocacher making circles with their GPS receiver).

 For more information, you can visit the LIGO (Long Island Geocaching Organization) website at www.ligeocaching.com.