Geocaching catches on in Macomb County

 

By Maria Allard

C & G Staff Writer

     For anyone trying to track down Gary and Donna Scramling, it’s best to check any of the geocaching sites located throughout Michigan.

     Searching for hidden treasures placed by other geocaching fanatics has quickly become the Scramlings’ favorite pastime.

     “If not for geocaching, we would never have found so many beautiful, scenic places in and around Michigan,” Gary said. “We’ve seen views that have taken our breath away.”

     On July 30, the Roseville couple and Michigan Geocaching Organization members will share their love and knowledge of the sport during an introductory course at the Roseville Recreation Center.

     Geocache 101 will begin at 10 a.m. After a video and discussion, experienced geocachers will team up with beginners to hunt for hidden treasures in the city. The program will conclude at 2:30 p.m. at Dooley Park with a cookout and potluck. Residents and non-residents are welcome at no cost. All that’s needed are a love for the outdoors, a fondness for high-tech games and an adventurous nature.

     Geocaching has been described as a high-tech scavenger hunt for families. The outdoor activity involves the use of a global positioning system receiver to find caches placed anywhere in the world. A typical cache is a small, waterproof container containing a logbook and “treasure.”

     To participate, people log onto www.geocaching.com to select a geocaching site. The geocacher has no idea of the altitude of the cache location, the terrain or what kind of structure in which the cache container might be hidden. The finder takes something from the container as a memento, leaves something for the next player, signs the logbook and returns the container to its hiding place. Geocachers then log their visit on the Web site so others can read about their adventure. Most geocaching occurs in parks.

     The Scramlings can’t say enough about the sport.

     “Geocaching is a terrific way to get families off the couch and outside together to exercise and have fun,” Donna said. “People of any age can participate. We’re not sure who loves it more, the children or the adults.”

     “It gets families outdoors for long walks and visits to parks around the state that they would never have known about otherwise,” Gary said.

     The Scramlings, known as Team CoyChev when on a pursuit, often take their 10-year-old granddaughter, Kalli.

     “It’s great to see the expression on her face when she finds the cache,” Gary said.

     After a crash course from the Scramlings, Bobbie Wilson, Roseville Parks and Recreation administrative program coordinator, figured it would be the ideal family event. A portion of a $15,000 Healthier Macomb Fitness Council grant was used to purchase four GPS units.      

     “We’ve themed our caches around different parts of the city,” Wilson said of the July 30 activity.

     Team CoyChev’s enthusiasm for geocaching filtered down to Wilson and her family, which includes husband, Mike, and 9-year-old daughter, Kayla. Calling themselves Wilsonexplorers 3, the family often hits the geocaching trails. “The hunt” is the best part, Wilson said.

     Geocaching 101 will be held at 10 a.m., July 30 at the Roseville Recreation Center, 18185 Sycamore, one block north of 11 Mile and one block east of Gratiot. For more information, call (586) 445-5480.

     You can reach Maria Allard at allard@candgnews.com