Is geocaching a “Sport”, a game, or…?

April 14, 2003

I was recently describing Geocaching to a coworker and used the tag line “The Sport where you are the search engine!” They immediately retorted with “that’s not a sport!” Course that was coming from someone that played organized sports in High school and college.

So what do you consider Geocaching to be?

This Isn't rocket science...

April 14, 2003

I didn't vote due to no "HOBBY" radio button.

To me it's not just an adventure, it's a hobby (or even a way of life)

Does anyone have some cache on them?

April 14, 2003

Hobby, Activity, Game, yes.

Sport, no.

I think the tag line should be shortened to "You are the search engine"

3k · April 14, 2003

I say all of the above because it depends on who I'm talking to for what geocaching 'is' at that point.

All in all I think that its a hobby/activity that may turn into a sport as long as it keeps moving in a possitive direction.

______________________________________________________________________________________

So far so good, somewhat new owner of a second/new Garmin GPS V 20 plus finds so far with little to no problem. We'll see what happens when there are leaves on the trees again.

April 14, 2003

i have called it all of the above. the gamesportactivity is ever changing, you can play anytime, and such good fun! happy trails!

sis

1.7k · April 14, 2003

"Outdoor recreational activity"

DustyJacket

Not all those that wander are lost. But in my case...

4.7k · April 14, 2003

if ballroom dancing can be a sport, so can geocaching.

it doesn't matter if you get to camp at one or at six. dinner is still at six.

April 14, 2003

I though we finnaly decided it was a RASH (recreation activity, sport, hobby).

Wyatt W.

The probability of someone watching you is directly proportional to the stupidity of your actions.

2.5k · April 14, 2003

It's the new sport of kings.

8k · April 14, 2003

quote:
Originally posted by phantom4099:
I though we finnaly decided it was a RASH (recreation activity, sport, hobby).

Wyatt W.

It certainly is a RASH when you go through the poison oak to get to a cache.

-- I found it in the last place I looked.

1.2k · April 14, 2003

I voted for "Who Cares" and I truly, deeply, sincerely mean it...LOL.

"Trade up, trade even, or don't trade!!!" My philosophy of life.

April 14, 2003

I voted that it is a sport. I hunt and fish and to me atleast geocaching is much like hunting, just not for an animal. It takes preperation, equipment, and skills.

Hunting and Fishing are considered "sports" so geocaching must be too.

I just wanted to add that I play ice hockey so I see why some wouldn't call geocaching a sport when compared to some things.

"Damned Infernal Gizmo. My Kingdom for a Left-Handed Can Opener."

-- Mr. Burns, The Simpsons

April 14, 2003

"sport" derives from the old French "desport" which means something done for pleasure.

If someone insists "sport" has to be something like organized competitive athletics, then they're insisting on a very narrow definition. But, hey! What would you expect from a bunch of jocks?!

George

April 14, 2003

I would say sport because I'm OJ Simpson....

"If we don't succeed we run the risk of failure."

- Dan Quayle

9.1k · April 14, 2003

Too bad the poll choices are limited to 5. You didn't have room to include "obsession" or "lifestyle."

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

.sdrawkcab dootsrednu tub sdrawrof devil si efiL

38.2k · April 14, 2003

From Merriam-Webster:

Main Entry: Sport

Function: noun

Date: 15th century

Etymology: Middle English, to divert, disport, short for disporten

1 (a) : a source of diversion : RECREATION

From The American Heritage Dictionary:

1. An active pastime, diversion; recreation.

I think this settles it. A sport it is.

"It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues" -Abraham Lincoln

3.1k · April 14, 2003

You train for sports....

You win a game.....

Good grief, anyone that thinks this is a sport is the biggest geek in history.

Don't hate me cause I'm beautiful

4.5k · April 14, 2003

When you're young, it's a sport.

As you get older it becomes a hobby.

At my age, it's a past-time.

Alan

38.2k · April 14, 2003

quote:
Good grief, anyone that thinks this is a sport is the biggest geek in history.

Ummm, check the definition for sport (see my post above).

Golf is considered to be a sport (it's reported on the sports pages, not in the leisure and entertainment section), but I've been on cache hunts that would leave many golfers gasping for air. Hiking, backpacking and orienteering are sports. Is geocaching all that different from any of these?

If you don't agree that geocaching is a sport, I think you may be choosing the wrong caches to look for!

"It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues" -Abraham Lincoln

April 14, 2003

quote:
Originally posted by phantom4099:
I though we finnaly decided it was a RASH (recreation activity, sport, hobby).

That's what I've been calling it - the description has really gotten the attention of some people. And besides, when you really want to go caching, its almost like an itch, and the only way to satisfy the itch is to scratch it. Or perhaps rubbing a cream on it...

----

When in doubt, poke it with a stick.

April 14, 2003

I don't see why it's not a sport. Isn't fishing a sport? Caching runs off the same priciple as fishing except we use a GPSr instead of a rod right? Maybe we need to get an official jersy for competitive geocaching. We can model it off of those rediculous ones worn by pro anglers. We can then affix corporate logo patchs. I'm sure Viagra wouldn't mind sponsoring another sport made up of rugged outdoorsy types. Or maybe what we really need is a full-contact event cache. Every cacher is handed a club and shield before simultaneously trying to bag the same cache. SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY!!!!!!

"No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible." -George Burns

April 14, 2003

It is NOT a sport! It doesn't matter what you call hunting, fishing, NASCAR, etc. Call geocaching a hobby, activity, whatever...a sport it is not.

April 14, 2003

I'm surprised this hasn't been Markwelled yet. This very same question (and the mincing of identical descriptive nomenclature) occupied several pages of forum discussion a few months back.

Then again, ever since the move to a new server, the ability to link to past forum discussions hasn't been quite the same as it once was...

April 14, 2003

You need a ball to be a sport. Ball room dancing a sport, I think not.

2.7k · April 14, 2003

It's all the above. I guess it's more of a game than sport, but it does get physical on ones that are hikes and sometimes there are organized geo games. It's definitely a hobby/activity. So it's all those depending on the circumstances.

2.7k · April 14, 2003

quote:
Originally posted by The Leprechauns:
Too bad the poll choices are limited to 5. You didn't have room to include "obsession" or "lifestyle."

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

.sdrawkcab dootsrednu tub sdrawrof devil si efiL

You got that right, bud!

3.1k · April 15, 2003

Brian

quote:
If you don't agree that geocaching is a sport, I think you may be choosing the wrong caches to look for!

I agree that there are some difficult to reach caches. I've placed some that will take a huge chunk out of the day to reach. I think I'm talking more about the numbers aspect of this activity.

There is a competitive side to this activity which I don't enjoy. For me it's almost like passing someone on the freeway. It really isn't a race unless the other guy knows you are racing him.

Regardless of dictionary definitions I think of a sport as something that requires training. I think bowling is more of a sport that this since there is a winner and you have to practice. I suppose for me sports is something physical that you compete in.

Now I'm an avid scuba diver. I don't compete so I don't consider that a sport. It's an outdoor hobby or activity.

Seems like only 10% of the voters here think geocaching is a sport. At least so far.

Don't hate me cause I'm beautiful

38.2k · April 15, 2003

Being a sport has nothing to do with competetion. As the definitions I quoted above state, a sport is simply a form of recreation.

If you scuba dive, you're engaging in a sport, whether you're competing or not. Same goes for fishing, hunting, orienteering, hiking, playing soccer....or geocaching.

A sport is always an activity, but not all acitvities are sports (I wouldn't call taking out the garbage a sport...unless the neighborhood bears are particularly aggressive).

A sport can also be a hobby and technically, all hobbies are sports (being that they are a source of recreation, or diversion). But I think most people would agree that a sport should contain a degree of physical activity, which is why most people wouldn't consider painting to be a sport.

So the only correct answer to the original question, at least according to the dictionary, is "all of the above".

quote:
Seems like only 10% of the voters here think geocaching is a sport. At least so far.

If you include "all of the above" the number is closer to 40 percent.

"It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues" -Abraham Lincoln

8.9k · April 15, 2003

The glory of Geocaching is that it is whatever YOU want it to be based on your own requirements.

Sport: If jogging is a sport - running vigorously with no goal in mind other than to run for its intrinsic value, then there are people who rock climb, scuba dive, three-day hike to get caches. That's pretty invigorating. I don't necessarily equate "sport" with "competing." But even if that's the definition, then BruceS is winning.

Game: See competing in above post.

Hobby / Activity: That's more my speed. I think about it to obsession, but the actual time involved in Geocaching is more like a hobby for me. I also don't take three-day hikes (yet - I'm working up to them).

Other: For some people its a minor diversion - something they do on every other month's second Saturday.

Bottom line: does it matter? It's still fun no matter what we call it.

Markwell

Chicago Geocaching

2.6k · April 15, 2003

Non of the above. It's a state of mind!

Very subjective.

I am the result of genetic manipulation of superior Geocacher DNA. Faster, stronger with superior reasoning and logic.

Mokita!

April 15, 2003

It's a dessert topping.

----------

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you be also be like him.

April 15, 2003

quote:
If you scuba dive, you're engaging in a sport, whether you're competing or not. Same goes for fishing, hunting, orienteering, hiking, playing soccer....or geocaching.

Ok smart guy - then what's the difference between fishing and sport fishing? Inquiring minds want to know.

Besides, I think Geocaching is less filling, Azog swears it has a 1/3 less calories. Less filling...fewer calories....less filling...

Can't we just agree it's fun!

Nine out of ten people who change their minds are wrong the second time too.

3.1k · April 15, 2003

I voted for Hobby/Activity, but I tend to refer to it as a game. The distinction rarely comes up unless I'm explaining it to someone, and then starting off with "It's this activity..." seems awkward.

I'd argue that games don't have to be something that you can win. But even if they do, finding a cache is as much a victory condition as getting all your cards on top in solitaire. So I think game is also valid.

"Winter's just the curtain. Spring will take the bow"

-- Richard Shindell, Spring

April 15, 2003

I vote for floor wax!

20.7k · April 15, 2003

For the love of all that is holy, someone please markwell this thread...

20.7k · April 15, 2003

Here's one.

3.1k · April 15, 2003

OK, fine this is a sport and we are all athletes here. It makes sense now.

Don't hate me cause I'm beautiful

April 16, 2003

Green.

April 16, 2003

Umm, it's more of a lifestyle. It's getting that way anyhow.

I've never been lost, but I was a might bewildered for three days once. Daniel Boone

April 16, 2003

quote:
Originally posted by nincehelser:
I vote for floor wax!

Dessert topping.

I've never been lost, but I was a might bewildered for three days once. Daniel Boone

April 16, 2003

Excuse my asking... but why should geocaching be anything describable by a wider term?

It is interesting the way it is, and that should, IMHO, be quite sufficient.

I used to dive and take u/w pictures for 35 years. The same question used to pop up; is it a sport, or a hobby, or anything else.

For me, at that time, it has been a state of mind. I was in it 24 hours a day, couldn't find myself thinking of something other than improving what I liked the most. I was seemingly always planning some new dives, or worked like posessed at some reconstruction or other of my gear.

Later on I was drawn into archery, and if you think it's simple, well it's not. And the same kind of routine started anew. Of course it's fun, and it's frustrating, and it's technically more complex than you'd think. And there's a lot of things you have to know about materials, and tools, and ballistics, and patience, and precision, and your own organism. But it's fun.

Now I know that my commitment doesn't have to conform to anything, not even to some other descriptive. And it is better so. What I do is what I am at the moment, and if I like what I do (do what I like), my whole existence will slowly slot that activity in, and let it become part of my mental occupation.

So, is it a sport? Yes, why not? Lifestyle? If it isn't, it can become that at will. Hobby and/or activity? Sure; has to be. Game? If you're so inclined, and it surely isn't something deadly serious, like having to work in order to eat every day or so. And it can be all of the above, why not? Whole families plan their outings around some lat/lon datum.

But it can be more than all that, it can be something else (like the state of mind), and it can be less in any of those categories! It solely depends upon what kind of a person one is. There's nothing wrong with being different or unclassifiable. People even have their own, private, unnamed beliefs, or religions. Those who think they absolutely must belong to some box or other are morons.

As long as it doesn't harm no-one, geocaching should only represent another valid item in the total richness of diversity.

April 17, 2003

I couldn’t vote, I didn’t see ‘sickness’ or ‘’addiction” as a choice.

Aside from that it’s defiantly a game and I can prove it. Take a close look at the OFFICIAL GEOCAHCE stickers available at the Groundspeak store. It clearly says “This is an official game pece.”

April 17, 2003

quote:
Originally posted by cachew nut:
It's the new sport of kings.

Or

The new King of Sports!

~ Honest Value Never Fails ~

38.2k · April 17, 2003

Reason NOT to call it a game

In another thread a geocacher was asked to remove a cache (one that he had permission to place), because, as the letter said "...is a nature preserve and game playing is inappropriate in that facility".

To me, the term "game" connotes something slightly frivolous. Apparently the administrator of that nature preserve thought so too and as a result, rescinded permission for the cache.

In reality, geocaching is little different from other outdoor pursuits, such as birding and hiking. both of which I'm sure are still allowed at that nature preserve.

When I first started geocaching, I changed all references to "game" in the "geocaching letter" to read "sport" and I never use the term game when talking about geocaching to friends, the media and the authorities. To me, "sport" sounds like a more serious pursuit than "game".

Besides, if my wife thought I was going out on Saturday morning to play a game, I'd get "like hell you are, you supposed to clean the basement".

"It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues" -Abraham Lincoln

[This message was edited by BrianSnat on April 17, 2003 at 04:50 AM.]

April 17, 2003

deleted

April 17, 2003

quote:
Originally posted by HartClimbs:

quote:
If you scuba dive, you're engaging in a sport, whether you're competing or not. Same goes for fishing, hunting, orienteering, hiking, playing soccer....or geocaching.

Ok smart guy - then what's the difference between fishing and _sport fishing? _ Inquiring minds want to know.

Gee, I think it's pretty obvious. One is fun and the other is work. If you are engaged in commercial fishing, it is not sport fishing.

BTW, I vote "sport". And I'm probably more of a "sporting" guy than most of you here - including and especially you golfers.

Oh yeah, I have heard the claim that "if it doesn't involve a ball, it is not a sport". Some of us sporting types gave up playing with balls and moved on to bigger and better things. In my mind, if it requires a ball, it's a kiddie game.

So there.

April 17, 2003

I would have to say it's "all the above" since everyone has their own definition.

My opinion is that it is more of a "sport" than most professional ones! Of course, I also feel that many things are a "sport", especially if you are exerting energy and it requires stamina while doing it...So unless you are only searching for virtuals, you are required to both of the above, even if it is slightly.

The Buzzard's: ZiggyStardust

April 17, 2003

From Oxfor Dictionary...

sport

noun 1 game or competitive activity usually involving physical exertion. 2 these collectively. 3 (in plural) meeting for competition in athletics. 4 amusement, fun. 5 colloquial sportsman; good fellow. colloquial person with specified attitude to games, rules, etc. verb 1 amuse oneself; play about. 2 wear or exhibit, esp. ostentatiously. sports car low-built fast car. sports coat, jacket man's informal jacket. sports ground piece of land used for sport. sportswear 1 clothes for sports. 2 informal clothes.

·noun 1,2activity, athletics, exercise, game(s), pastime, physical education, physical training, recreation. 4amusement, badinage, banter, diversion, enjoyment, entertainment, fun, humour, jesting, joking, merriment, play, pleasure, raillery, teasing. verb 1caper, cavort, divert oneself, frisk about, frolic, gambol, colloquial lark about, play about, romp, skip about. 2display, exhibit, flaunt, show off, wear. sports ground arena, court, field, ground, pitch, playground, playing area, playing field, recreation ground, stadium.

2.5k · April 17, 2003

quote:
Originally posted by Rusty O Junk:

Aside from that it’s defiantly a game and I can prove it. Take a close look at the OFFICIAL GEOCAHCE stickers available at the Groundspeak store. It clearly says “This is an official game pece.”

That proves nothing, it's just a sticker. Take a look at the home page where it states "The sport where YOU are the search engine."

Is geocaching a “Sport”, a game, or…?

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