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Celebrate International Geocaching Day on August 21, 2021
What is geocaching?
Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting activity that uses Global Positioning System (GPS)-enabled devices. Geocachers often look for survey markers that make up the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS).
A geocacher who finds a survey marker, determines its coordinates with a handheld GPS device, and reports the results to the National Geodetic Survey is performing a valuable public service.
Want to learn more? Visit web pages on the National Ocean Service website!
Bench Marks are a type of virtual geocache that involve discovering a location rather than a container. Many virtual geocaches are located at historically significant locations. For example, the photo above shows the location of the Lewis and Clark mark in Harpers Ferry, WV.
Get Involved!
Geocaching can be a great way to engage family and friends, enjoy the outdoors, and even help recover survey markers! Just make sure you respect private property, avoid dangerous areas, obey local laws, and observe any health/safety recommendations.
Whether or not you participate in any geocaching activities on August 21st, this is something you can tell people about or participate in events in the future. NOAA and NGS would love to hear about activities in your community:
- Email NGS.Infocenter@noaa.gov at any time.
- Share any of your activities on social media with the hashtag #GeocachingDay for any activities this weekend.
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There are common themes in both geocaching and NGS’ GPS on Bench Marks (GPSonBMs) effort: crowd-sourced data sharing and mark recovery.
Participating in GPSonBMs will help your community prepare for the modernized National Spatial Reference System. To understand about potential intersections with geocaching, learn more about the GPSonBMS program online:
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