The BEST Center's Leisure Learning Program Offers Outdoor Treasure Hunting with Geocaching

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A photograph of two people geocaching.

BATAVIA, NY (03/20/2012)(readMedia)-- Old-fashioned treasure hunting goes high-tech with Geocaching! Adventure seekers of all ages are welcome to test their skills, learn how to use high-tech tools to search for clues, and enjoy the outdoors while on a treasure hunt, with Genesee Community College's Geocaching program.

Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunt using hand-held GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of latitude and longitude coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache container hidden at that location. Containers store items such as a log book, and usually a surprise or two to make the challenge more exciting.

GCC is offering two beginner classes for those looking to begin this stimulating new hobby, and an advanced class for those who've already experienced the thrill of the hunt. Geocaching 101 will be offered Saturday, April 14 from 9:00am to 12:00noon, and again on Wednesday, May 15 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Registration for the introductory classes can be done on-line: http://www.genesee.edu/best/courses/getCourseInfo/?CourseID=575. Each class is $15 and includes the use of a GPS unit (or you can bring your own!).

Advanced "cachers" can register for the 10:00am-3:00pm class on Saturday, July 14, by visiting this website: http://www.genesee.edu/best/courses/getCourseInfo/?CourseID=576. The cost for the advanced class is $18.

Elizabeth Downie, from GCC's Math, Science and Career Education division, is teaching the classes. "Geocaching is more than just running into the woods to find a container. Geocaching involves knowledge, skill, planning, research, challenges and persistence. You need to employ your brain and five senses while searching and you have to be respectful of your surroundings."

The half day introductory program will start with a brief overview of what geocaching is and how it works, and then participants will use GPS units to find a geocache hidden on the grounds of the Batavia campus. Participants should wear clothing and footwear suitable for a walk in the woods.

Experienced cachers who register for the advanced class will learn about management tools, queries, the relatives of geocaching and then take part in a field trip to a local park to hunt for various types of caches. They will be joined by other veteran geocachers, including: Downie, who uses the ID 'authorized users', Sabrefan7, ElbaPatch, HFJohn and BarbershopDru, who will share their secrets and caching insights with participants. Well-known local cacher GadgetCHC, who has logged more than 16,000 finds, will also be attending the field trip!

For further information or to register call The BEST Center at (585) 345-6868 or visit: www.bestcenter.org.

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