Happy Father’s Day Fun

Looking for something fun to do this Father’s Day Weekend? Try geocaching! Geocaching is a real-world outdoor treasure hunt using GPS-enabled devices like your smartphone or tablet. Try to find a ‘cache’ in Santa Clara or almost anywhere in Eugene and Springfield.

Caches in Santa Clara Parks (There are many others in Santa Clara)

• Arrowhead Park
• Awbrey Park
• Filbert Meadows
• Hileman Landing
• Santa Clara Community Park (2)
• Terra Linda Park
• Wendover Park

How to begin:

• Get the Geocaching app from your phone or tablet’s app store.
• Open the app and review the various caches near you
• Walk or drive to a spot near the cache.
• Walk while following the blue dot on your device. The dot represents where the cache is. Satellite readings are accurate to about 15 feet.
• Read the ‘Description’ and ‘Hint’ and look at any photos that have been posted.
• If dad can’t find the cache, hand the phone to a kid or teenager

Things to know:

• Caches come in various sizes and disguises. From micro at Terra Linda to irrigation looking systems on private property.
• The blue dot will get you close; the description, hint, and photos should finish the job.
• If you find the cache, you can mark it as found, and you’ll see a smiley face on your device. If you don’t find it, leave a message for the person who placed the cache. An animal might have dragged off the cache.

The image below is what the geocaching app looks like. Smiley faces are caches that have been found by the person with the smart phone or tablet.