Have you ever found it difficult to entice your family out for a walk in the countryside?  Then Geocaching might just be for you!

Worldwide, there is over 1 million caches or treasure boxes hidden - ranging in size from a small film cannister to a much larger tupperware container or old ammo box - all waiting to be found.

Caching can be like having your own guide - taking you to great places and can explain what is so good about a location, for example, a WWII bomber crash site, An interesting story, or just a great view that should be shared.

All you need is a handheld GPS unit together with information from the geocaching website to start your quest. Once found you can share your experiences online with others who have also been hooked by this fun game.

But don’t feel you have to make an investment in a GPS unit before you try it out – with experience of using a map and compass, together with the cache clues provided on the geocaching website, you may well be able to find some of the easier ones!

What is a handheld GPS unit?
A handheld GPS (Global Positioning System) is an electronic device that looks similar to a mobile phone. It uses satellites to work out your approximate location and is usually accurate to within 6-20 feet.

For geocaching, all you need to know is how to enter a "waypoint" (a UK map grid reference) of where the treasure is hidden (see below). The GPS unit will then guide you there, which is when the real hunt begins, for you will need to use your eyes and initiative to actually find the hidden cache.

What are Travel Bugs and Geocoins?
Special Keyring Tags or coins, with their own unique activation and tracking ID codes that can e sent on trackable journeys via the internet, from geocache to geocache or be passed amongst friends, picking up stories along the way. The journeys they take can be followed online through logs which each finder posts on to the geocaching website. You can upload photographs too, as well as thoughts or views associated with the trackable item.

What next?
Log in and have a look at the geocaching website for geocaches near your home or in an area which you might be planning a visit to in the future.

Take down the GPS co-ordinates (in the UK, the easiest thing to use is the British Grid reference provided - which also relates to OS maps) and any specific instructions that will help you to find the geocache.Enter the grid reference into the GPS unit using the How to instructions.

Once you have located the geocache, sign the log book. When you get home or have access to the internet, log your visit on the geocaching website and have fun tracking down other caches!

Geocaching Etiquette:
There really aren't that many rules and they are very straight forward:

1. Make sure you’re not observed by others when you find the cache
2. If you take something from the cache please leave an item of similar value in return (items must be safe and child friendly).
3. Sign the logbook. Have fun!
4. Log your find on the geocaching website when you return home
5. If you decide to set a geocache of your own. Do you need the landowner's permission?
6. Please follow the Countryside Code at all times.