Geocaching - tips for thickies

[jayne10b]

Hi
I have just discovered that Geocaching exists and would like to give it a try with my kids.

What I dont' get though is how it works once you have plugged the coordinates into your gps. Do you just turn up to the spot and start looking around? Or are there meant to be some further clues somewhere? I have just looked on the Geocaching.com website and understand how you get to the beginning but not what you do once you are there. The closest Geocach to me is near a church - so I know exactly what setting is like, but looking for a camera film canister in a church grounds without any further clues seems a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack - or is that the point?

Please reply in idiot proof sentences with no geocaching lingo!!

Thanks very much

Jayne10b

There is usually a clue with each one on the website. I am rubbish at it and only ever found one though!

There's often a hint on the webpage, but the coordinates should get you to the ovation and from then you search likely hiding places. You get to know what to look for - often there may be a pile of sticks that look odd or some stones or you may see a "cacher's trail" of trodden down grass.

Ovation?? Stupid autocorrect thingy. location.

of course, that assumes it is a "traditional" cache where the coordinates given on the page lead you to the cache.

There is also a "multi cache" where you have to follow instructions on the cache page once you arrive at the coordinates. "puzzle" caches require you to solve a cryptic puzzle on the page in order to get the correct coordinates.