A group geocaching near the PEEC Nature Center. Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

Have you heard about geocaching and want to learn more or don’t know what it is, but like hiking and adventure? Coleen Meyer, an experienced and passionate geocacher, will teach the ins-and-outs of geocaching in a free program 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19 at PEEC.

Meyer will start the program by describing geocaching and explaining how to play the game. Then she will briefly talk about the history of the technology. Key points Meyer will cover include: GroundSpeak’s geocaching.com website and setting up an account, what equipment is needed, and what to look for (samples will be on-hand).

She will also describe earthcaches, virtual caches, geocaching events and mega-events, as well as what to do once you find a cache, and safety issues that can come up while you play. Other topics include how to hide a cache, geocaching lingo, and trackables (samples on-hand). After learning about the activity, the group will go outside and find a cache near PEEC.

Those who have a GPS unit should bring it to the program and be familiar with how to use it. Meyer will go over different ways to enter cache information into a GPS device.

Coleen Meyer has been geocaching since 2008, when she had to cajole a 4-year-old out of his GPS unit to get started. After hearing about the activity, her brother, niece and nephew took her out to give it a try. Meyer was hooked from her first rain-soak find, and she found that geocaching brought together her love of maps and hiking, and her sense of adventure. Meyer currently has over 600 finds, has hidden a few caches around the Los Alamos area, and has held two geocaching ‘events’ in town. In 2013, she helped a local Girl Scout troop earn their geocaching badge.

This program is free to attend. Advance registration recommended, but not required. For more information about this program and to register, visit https:////www.pajaritoeec.org/takewing/events.php, email Programs@PajaritoEEC.org or call 505.662.0460.