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Forget about golf, hotels are getting savvy when it comes to keeping their guests engaged in green activities that not only help clean up the environment, but give them a gift in return. Yes, there are two things that the average human being loves: the "hunt," and presents. Mix the two with the great outdoors and exercise and you've got GeoCaching--a form of high-tech treasure hunting that's inviting a childlike exuberance to emerge from even the most stale adults.
The outdoor game has players using GPS tracking systems to coordinate hidden treasure caches hidden in little boxes in obscure spots all over the world. From rarely explored waterfalls to city street corners, the world-wide scavenger hunt is getting people of all ages and abilities outside and into this greener exercise activity. Each cache consists of a visitor's log so that gamers can mark their territory and even leave a note for the next cache guest. Many caches also have little gifts with a take-one, leave-one concept that can be anything from dice to paper airplanes, jewelry and even tickets to sporting events.
No geocaches in your immediate area? Create, hide and register one yourself http://www.wikihow.com/Create-and-Hide-a-Geocache! It's a great way to change up your work out and even get kids to exercise without knowing it! With over 933,945 active geocaches around the world, you are almost certain to have a green adventure in your area. Or take a trip to one of these resorts to learn how the game works first:
Where Can You Learn to GeoCache?
Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, an environmentally conscious resort in Southern California, is a great place to learn the basics of geocaching with a guide-led hike complete with all of the accouterments including a backpack, GPS unit, energy bars, water, and maps. Highfalutin guests scour the surrounding mountains for secret caches while encouraging each person to remove any spotted trash. The idea is "cache in, trash out"--essentially incentive-driven trail clean-ups. The resort's geocaching crew makes sure that caches are stocked with fun little gifts like locally made bracelets and crafts to up the ante and keep the crowds scouring the trails for cache and trash.
Red Mountain Spa in Utah provides GPS units to interested guests then teaches the newbie geo-adventurers how to log and read coordinates (longitude and latitude), and finally lead them on a search of hidden caches throughout the 55-acre property. The tough terrain offers a very active trek, as buccaneers forge through streams, jump ravines and scale rocky hillsides all for the sake of treasure hunting! Since the caches are contained on the Red Mountain property and its surrounding, caches can include gift certificates to the spa, resort skincare products, and fitness gear!
Who knew exercise could be so rewarding!
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