Geocaching: A fitness treasure

Do you have a GPS (global positioning system)? Then perhaps you've heard of geocaching (pronounced like 'cashing' a check). Geocaching is an adventure game where you head off on a treasure hunt in your local area or all over the world, utilizing latitude/longitude clues to find a hidden cache. Inside the cache may simply be a logbook, where you can sign your name, leave a joke and read others' entries. Better yet, a treasure-filled cache offers miscellaneous items you can take (cds, books, etc...). Of course, no pirates allowed -- geocaching etiquette requires the finder to leave something behind for the next visitor.

A GPS unit calculates your approximate location on the planet within 6-20 feet. The locations of hidden caches are listed on the internet -- check out this official site -- and many caches can be tricky to find. You may need to hike a long distance and shoot a few compass bearings to find a remote cache in the wilderness, climb flights of stairs at an urban location, rock climb up a cliff or even scuba. Check out this helpful list of FAQs to learn more.

Improving your fitness level is definitely a part of geocaching, whether you placed the original cache and are simply making a check or you're the seeker. Bring plenty of water and snacks along, and the excitement of the chase is sure to raise your heart rate. Just hope whoever found the cache before you left a valuable prize -- $100 bills have been found!

My family just scored a used, handheld GPS. As soon as we find our first cache, I'll be sure and report on our fitness treasure adventure!