How to describe Geocaching to someone that doesn't know?

[+Mike & Jess]

Ok, so I am currently sitting our Up North Tracks table at a local community event.

It has been interesting trying to describe what geocaching is to people that have never heard about it.

So, my question for this forum, how do you describe this sport/hobby to someone that has never heard of it?

[+randco]

Tell them it's a high tech game of Hide and Seek with an object. Or, tell them its sort of like an adult version of an easter egg hunt.

 

If they need more information give them the website, geocaching.com

Edited July 31, 2010 by randco

[+BlueDeuce]

how do you describe this sport/hobby to someone that has never heard of it?

 

I gave that up years ago. The blank stare started creeping me out.

Edited July 31, 2010 by BlueDeuce

[+twila_zoned]

When anyone asks me to explain geocaching, I just show this this PERFECT explanation....

 

 

It's an excerpt from the movie Splinterheads, which involved quite a bit of geocaching!!!

[Motorcycle_Mama]

Moving to the Geocaching Topics forum.

[+debaere]

Ok, so I am currently sitting our Up North Tracks table at a local community event.

It has been interesting trying to describe what geocaching is to people that have never heard about it.

So, my question for this forum, how do you describe this sport/hobby to someone that has never heard of it?

 

My method is pretty simple:

 

I normally start by saying "It like a high tech scavenger hunt using GPSs. People hide containers, often in unusual or interesting places, and post the coordinates online. Then you can download the coordinates and try and find the containers."

 

This explanation works for 90% of the times I've had to explain it, even to muggles in the field.

[+Chrysalides]

I normally start by saying "It like a high tech scavenger hunt using GPSs."

That's exactly what I told someone I met today. Turned out that he heard of it, a "murder show with geocaching". Law and Order?

[+Viajero Perdido]

"Worldwide hide-and-seek game using GPS."

 

The "worldwide" part seems to make it sound more respectable somehow. I get more blank stares if I leave it out.

[+ipodguy]

"It's a lot like being lost."

[+munchtime]

I suggest you point them to the post "Not a geocacher, just joined to find something out" posted earlier. It should give them a real insight! At least it will keep them away from the forums.

 

Apologies or not; some of you SHOULD be ashamed.

 

You all need to get over Ashnikes.

 

I am disgusted!

 

On topic again. I seriously would show them the thread!

 

Roy (munchime)

[+Markwell]

I'd rather use this video but the Splinterheads one is more fun to watch for some reason.

[+jsdad]

I use billion-dollar satellites to find tupperware in the woods... What's your hobby?

Edited August 2, 2010 by jsdad

[+JL_HSTRE]

"It's a GPS scavenger hunt."

 

Essentially everyone knows what GPS is and what a scavenger hunt is so it is not too hard to understand combining the two.

 

Sometimes I follow it up with the job about using billion dollar government satellites to find tupperware in the woods but only if I think I have a receptive audience.

[+Scubasonic]

Ok, so I am currently sitting our Up North Tracks table at a local community event.

It has been interesting trying to describe what geocaching is to people that have never heard about it.

So, my question for this forum, how do you describe this sport/hobby to someone that has never heard of it?

 

Hand them a "Muggle Card"

 

Scubasonic

[+BulldogBlitz]

"national treasure"...

 

only with 35 mm film cans and broken tupperware.

[+briansnat]

I suggest you point them to the post "Not a geocacher, just joined to find something out" posted earlier. It should give them a real insight! At least it will keep them away from the forums.

 

Apologies or not; some of you SHOULD be ashamed.

 

You all need to get over Ashnikes.

 

I am disgusted!

 

On topic again. I seriously would show them the thread!

 

Roy (munchime)

 

You are confusing the forums with geocaching. They are not the same thing. Would you describe soccer to someone by telling them to go to an Internet forum where fanatics discuss the game?

[+roziecakes]

I generally send people in the direction of HeadHardHat's GeoSnippits. They are wonderful videos; or I invite someone out on a cache trip and explain as I go. I've gotten about 4 cachers started that way.

[knowschad]

I suggest you point them to the post "Not a geocacher, just joined to find something out" posted earlier. It should give them a real insight! At least it will keep them away from the forums.

 

Apologies or not; some of you SHOULD be ashamed.

 

You all need to get over Ashnikes.

 

I am disgusted!

 

On topic again. I seriously would show them the thread!

 

Roy (munchime)

 

This is how you come here and "improve" the place? By making sarcastic, off-topic posts? I think perhaps you need to get over that thread. It has been dealt with very thoroughly already.

 

 

Back on-topic: Yeah, I suppose the dreaded "Hi-tech game of hide-and-seek" cliche is about as good as you need, although it always makes me crings.

 

First, what is "hi-tech" about it? We didn't invent or build the GPSr. We just turn it on. That one little word could scare some people off.

Second... didn't you play "hide-and-seek" when you were a kid? Is it really anything like geocaching?

 

Actually, I'm not very big at proselytizing our activity. I don't see what is to be gained by having more people doing it. Those that really want to do it, and will stick it out for the long haul, will figure out what they need to do and will do it whether we proselytize or not. But that's just my thought, and I think I'm in the minority there.

Edited August 2, 2010 by knowschad

[+BuckeyeClan]

Ok, so I am currently sitting our Up North Tracks table at a local community event.

It has been interesting trying to describe what geocaching is to people that have never heard about it.

So, my question for this forum, how do you describe this sport/hobby to someone that has never heard of it?

 

My method is pretty simple:

 

I normally start by saying "It like a high tech scavenger hunt using GPSs. People hide containers, often in unusual or interesting places, and post the coordinates online. Then you can download the coordinates and try and find the containers."

 

This explanation works for 90% of the times I've had to explain it, even to muggles in the field.

 

That's about what I say, too, though usually not quite so eloquently. (Excuse me while I go memorize your wording! ) If they seem disinterested, you can stop there, you've said all that you need to. If they seem interested, then go into greater detail.