Geocaching Contest 2009 in Rising Sun

People throughout the world are excited about an outdoor activity called geocaching, and the Historic Downtown Program is making participation even more fun. As the sport has gained in popularity, HDP has decided to offer more incentive for geocachers to get out and explore southeastern Indiana.

This year, Historic Downtown Program is sponsoring the first annual Geocaching Contest in Rising Sun, Indiana. For every cache that participants locate they can fill out a form and bring the form to the Historic Downtown Program. The forms can be downloaded from their website (www.enjoyrisingsundowntown.com) or you can stop in their office 103 South Walnut Street to pick them up. The deadline for turning in forms is November 1, 2009. No registration is needed. The forms have to be returned to the Historic Downtown Program office 103 South Walnut in their mailbox.

HDP is offering five prizes of $100 each. Four prizes will be awarded based on a random drawing from all entry forms. So for each form you return, your chances of winning go up. The fifth prize is for the person who has traveled the furthest to come to Rising Sun to geocache.

For all that are new to geocaching, it is a treasure hunt that uses a satellite and computer technology to find hidden, registered sites, or caches. A typical cache is a container with trinkets for trading and a logbook. Visitor sign the logbook and may note their visits online to help keep current records for each site.

To get started, go online to the HDP website for a link to www.geocaching.com, a website of all registered geocaches in Southeastern Indiana. Exact coordinates of each treasure chest may be found here. Using a handheld global position system (GPS) receiver, participants may then locate each cache. Website information provides details for each cache, including difficulty in terrain and how hard it is to find.

This high-tech game combines exercise and imagination with exploration of the outdoors. GPS coordinates are used to drive to a general location. Then it’s a matter of hiking to reach the final hiding place. Some caches are easily found, while others are camouflaged. Most receivers allow the hunter to get within 20 feet or closer. Water or other hiding places can make the hunt even more intriguing. It takes a keen eye to spot containers that might be as small as a film canister.

Come explore the new and familiar areas in Southeastern Indiana!