Are you interested in geocaching? Do you want to learn how to make a private geocache? Well, you are in the right place. In this article, I’m going to tell you everything about how you can create your very own private geocache.
Making a private geocache requires following some very simple steps- choosing a unique location, getting all the necessary permissions for a location, choosing a good container, storing some items like log books or toys, hiding the container, and providing all the necessary information to interested people.
I have briefly explained all of these steps in this article. And knowing and understanding them will surely help you a lot to make the perfect private geocache.
Steps to Make a Private Geocache
After you start geocaching it’s only a matter of time when you start wanting to make a private geocache of your own. But there are some things you should consider before considering making a private geocache. Down below, I have given a step-by-step guide on how you can make your private geocache:
Step 1: Try finding existing geocaches before making and hiding your own
This is the first step of making a private geocache. You need to gather some experience with finding some geocaches. Spend some time looking for caches. You can start with the beginner level caches. Once you have gathered some experience, you can go look for the harder ones. This experience will help you a lot to make better decisions while creating your private geocache.
Also, make sure that you try out different difficulty levels of geocaching, and find a variety of caches in various locations. Sometimes you might hear someone advising you that you will need to find at least “X” number of caches before you are ready to make your own. But it is not entirely true.
If you are stuck with the same type and difficulty level of geocaches, it will not help you that much. By mixing things up a bit, you can gain a lot of experience.
Step 2: Identify a Good Location
Location is an important part of geocaching. In fact, most of the people like this mainly because these caches provide an opportunity to explore places that they wouldn’t have visited otherwise. Choose locations that the people in your locality love to visit but aren’t included in the tourist guides.
Never choose a location that is too remote and dangerous to reach. Identify a place that is not that far from an established path. Also, you need to pick a unique location. For example, an interesting rock formation, or someplace with a great view of the sea. You can also choose locations that have some cultural interest or are of historical significance.
Step 3: Obtain All the Necessary Permits
Depending on the location that you selected for geocaching, sometimes you may need to get a permit to use that land. Especially if the cache is on private lands, you need permission from the landowner.
Some parks allow geocaching, and some don’t. Especially the national monuments and parks. Because if they allow geocaching on these lands, there is a possibility that people might damage the historical and natural resources while searching for caches. So, before you hide caches in a park, talk with the park’s management to avoid any unfortunate incidents.
Step 4: Choose a Good Container for Your Geocache
The size and the material of the cache is also a major decision while making a private geocache. What material your cache will be made of depends on factors like the location you have selected to hide the cache, or what type of environment it will be exposed to.
It is always recommended to choose a cache that can withstand both heat and cold. Also, it needs to be waterproof. On top of that, the cache should be such that anybody can open and reseal with minimum effort. Paint cans and Ammo boxes are great for geocaching.
You need to take the size of your container into consideration also. Oversized boxes can store a lot of stuff. But they can be discovered very easily. This is why the container needs to be small enough which can store treasures and at the same time easily hidden.
Step 5: Create Your Geocache
Now it’s time to create your cache. Every geocache contains some common items. They are:
Log Book: It is an essential part of every geocache. This logbook can be any small notebook, a diary, or even a sketchbook. You can write all the information about why you chose this location when you first placed the cache and some guidelines about your cache.
Also, you might want to include a pen or pencil, and sharpener inside your cache. This will allow people who found your cache to sign on the logbook as proof.
Treasures: You can include some small swappable items in your cache. They can be anything from a matchbox to pictures, toys, etc. Also, you can put everything in a plastic zip-lock bag to keep it safe from getting wet. Don’t store something illegal or something that might start to deteriorate with time.
Step 6: Camouflage and Hide Your Geocache
Now that you have prepared your cache, all you need to do is to put it in the hiding spot that you selected before. But, before hiding the cache, try to camouflage it using paint or other traditional methods. This will make the cache blend in with the surroundings and as a result, it will be much harder to find.
As for hiding your cache, do not hide it in such a spot that is very dangerous to reach. At the same time, don’t hide it in such a way that anybody can discover it easily.
Step 7: Note Down the Hiding Location Coordinates & Provide Good Directions
Once you are done hiding your cache, take a note of the coordinates of the place. As for private geocaching, you don’t need to publish it on websites like Navicahce.com or Geocaching.com, etc.
Provide the coordinates and necessary information like pictures or waypoints to the interested people directly.
Step 8: Maintain Your Cache
Once in a while, you need to check your caches to make sure that everything is okay inside the container. Repair or replace anything that is damaged if needed.
Why Should You Make A Private Geocache?
Geocaching is finding caches that are carefully hidden by others. This is not something like a full-scale treasure hunt. It is more like finding something that blends well enough with its surroundings which makes it harder to find. It is a great way to exercise both our mind and body.
It is a great way to strengthen your relationship with your friends and family members. You can give them your hidden cache locations and send them on a challenging quest of finding them. On top of that, you can use your private geocache to teach some basic navigational skills to the younger members of your family.
Conclusion
By now, you must’ve learned everything there is to know about how to make a private geocache. Geocaching is a great way to spend some fun time. This is why it is popular among people of all ages. While making a geocache, think of some unique fun activity that you can incorporate into it. This will make it much more interesting and entertaining.
Through this article, I hope that I was of some help to you. Thank you for having the patience to go through the entire article. Have a nice day!
