According to Groundspeak, Inc., on its website at geocaching.com, “Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers…and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups.” The website notes there are over 850,000 active geocaches around the world.

You don’t need to be an experienced geocacher to get started at CONY campgrounds and RV parks. Participating parks are listed at www.gogeocachingny.com. Once arrived at a park, receive your CONY geo-caching “Passport to Fun,” and search for your first cache. The passports have stamp pages for each park. As you find the hidden caches, you’ll have your passport stamped.  Get at least ten stamps, and submit your passport to CONY for a prize.  Some parks will have GPS units for purchase or for rent, or bring your own.

“Geocaching is the perfect RV hobby, and a great way for the kids to play a high-tech version of ‘hide-and-seek’,” according to Rosemary Curtis of Hickory Hill Family Camping Resort in Bath, New York. “We had caches hidden in our park already and have had a lot of enthusiastic participants, so we were very excited to get involved with the CONY geocaching program.”

“Our goal with geocaching is to bring visitors into CONY facilities to enjoy the combination of electronics and outdoors in such a way that their camping experience will be further enhanced.” says Donald G. Bennett, Jr., executive administrator of Campground Owners of New York. “With 37 CONY geocaching locations in New York State, it also provides a great way for people to plan interesting road trips around their geocaching adventures.”