Geocaching Event Could Land In Upper Macungie Parks This Fall

Geocaching might be coming to Upper Macungie Township this fall.

The Upper Macungie Recreation Board voted Feb. 24 to send a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors to approve geocaching for a Sept. 24 event in some township parks.

The maximum cost is $300. However, that cost might be covered with sponsorships.

Supervisors are expected to consider the recommendation at their meeting this Thursday.

So what is geocaching? Recreation Board member Chuck Thomas gave a presentation explaining the process to the board.

According to written information supplied by Thomas, geocaching is a scavenger hunt, with participants locating hidden containers called geocaches or caches by using a hand-held GPS unit or a smartphone with GPS capabilities and a geocaching application.

A geocache is a container that includes a logbook for geocachers to sign. A cache may also contain a treasure such as wooden or metal coins.

The organizers hide the geocache so that it is not readily seen by just walking past it, but can still be found. For example, it might be hidden on the branch of a tree, under a rock, in a log, or in a magnetic container attached to a guard rail. Usually, it’s hidden in a public area such as a park.

Many details still need to be worked out for the Sept. 24 event, including a decision about which parks to be used for geocaching.

But Thomas cited three reasons why the event is a good idea: It will attract members of the community to township parks,  introduce members of the community to geocaching and offer new caches for those who already participate in geocaching.

Finally, Thomas said, it will get people outside to have fun with family and friends.

The event probably will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thomas said. Participants can show up at any time but the introductory presentation would occur at 10:30 a.m.

Thomas is trying to secure some borrowed GPS units from an agency or company for participants who do not own their own units. He also recognizes the need to organize a group of volunteers to help with the event.

Thomas predicted that 40-to-50 people would show up for the first event of this kind in Upper Macungie.

Rich Kiser, chairman of the Recreation Board, agreed that the program has value. “It’s a way to get people out to our parks in Upper Macungie,” Kiser said.