How to Make a Geocache

Intro: How to Make a Geocache

The relatively new sport of Geocaching involves using a GPS to locate a hidden container (a cache), and signing the log book inside. Sounds simple, right? Wrong.
It isn't as simple as going to the location, and signing the log book - it's often very difficult finding the cache, and even getting to the location.
Geocaching is a fun way to see things that you normally wouldn't. For instance, one geocache might take you into a spot that you otherwise wouldn't visit, and see things that you wouldn't normally see. Geocaches can be educational or just for fun.
Geocaches are hidden by members of geocaching.com, which is free to sign up and use, and maintained by them.
There are different types of Geocaches:
- Traditional - This type of cache is just a cache.
- Multi - This type of cache is made up of more than one cache. For instance, you might go to the first cache, and it gives you co-ordinates for the second.
- Mystery - This cache could consist of a puzzle. The co-ordinates are obtained by solving it.
There are also a few more types, but these are the main ones.

Some of the fun in Geocaching comes simply from finding the cache and signing the log book. Other parts involve swapping items with the items in the geocache. Sometimes the cache itself is quite funny.

This instructable will teach you how to make a geocache.

STEP 1: Get an Account

Unless you already have one. Go to the Geocaching.com sign up page and fill in the form. It's free!
If you have one, sign in.

STEP 2: Find a Geocache (optional)

I highly recommend you find a geocache before you hide one, just to get a feel for it. But you don't need to. I'm not going to tell you how to do this, as that is not the focus of this instructable.

STEP 3: Designing Your Cache

This is one of the most important parts of creating a geocache. A well thought out cache does a lot better than one put together without.
First of all: location.
The location of a geocache is like real estate. It has to be somewhere good. Place your cache in a place that is at least 512 feet away from another geocache. Try and find a spot that is relevant to you - like a park, or a scenic area, or a landmark, which you enjoy. Remember, some of these spots might already have caches.
Second: Uniqueness.
Your cache must be unique. Think of some kind of quirk you could put in to make it better, and fun for people to find. There is a story on the internet detailing how several people went to find a geocache, and found 200 film canisters taped under some stairs!
Third: Container and camoflauge.
Try and make your cache hard to find by accident. If you are making an easy cache, put it somewhere without too much traffic and make it easy to find. A hard cache, hide it really well under lots of leaf litter, or in a tree. Find a container which suits your purpose, and is airtight and waterproof.

STEP 4: Make the Cache

Making the geocache. You are finally here.

You will need:
- A waterproof and airtight container
- A log book (this can be a notepad, or if you are making a micro sized cache, a roll of paper)
- A click-zip bag
- A geocaching note (not needed for micro caches.) Get it here and print it out.
- Small swappable items (optional, only use if your cache is big enough)
- Pen or pencil

If you want, you can write a message for the people who will find your cache in your log book.
Place the log book and note in the click-zip bag, and seal it. Put everything in the container.

STEP 5: Hide It!

This is the fun bit. Find the spot you picked and hide your geocache there.
Make sure it's camoflauged well!
Use a GPS device to find the GPS co-ordinates for the cache.

STEP 6: Submit It

The last bit is submitting it to reviewers. Go to the online form to report the new geocache. Follow the steps in the images below.

STEP 7: Reviewing

Your cache may not be liked by the reviewer, and they may leave a note after they reviewed it. It might say, "Too bad, your cache is less than 512 feet from another." You need to remedy this, and then in the "edit listing" bit (top right) check the "My Cache is Active" box. Then submit.

STEP 8: All Done!

You've made it! You've created a geocache!

Relax and wait for people to find it.

Comments

[CindyL69]

My husband and I have to go back and get the coordinates. We received a geocache kit from my daughter. Included was a QR CODE. How do we activate that?

[SadD2]

scan it with a barcode reader on your mobile phone.

[JJ1233J]

What is a click zip bag

[SadD2]

a zip-lock bag
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ziploc

[JJ1233J]

How do i design a cache

[JJ1233J]

How do u do that

[ziggiau]

As a relatively new player the screen shots look odd as they must be for an old incarnation of the geocaching.com site. I was wondering if you could also include a little more detail in the stage describing how you come up with the correct coordinates (taking 3 readings, averaging out etc.) so you are sure of the accuracy. Thanks for the visual primer.

[DamienA10]

To get coordinates using Google maps, choose the location *the one you would like to place the cache at* and then simply long press on said point. The pin will be placed on the map and the coordinates for that location will be given ? If you've not made a cache yet or haven't got into geocaching I would reccommend it ?? all the best, Damien.

[ziggiau]

Thanks for the reply, but I had to have a little chuckle about my original comments. Since then I have made over 940+ finds, nearly 30 hides plus hosted a few events, made 653 Geocaching Australia finds and am currently one of the NSW Senators for Geocaching Australia. When the addiction hits it really takes hold. But for getting good coords, a GPS is still best. =8)

[DamienA10]

Haha no worries! Better to be safe than sorry...I guess you forgot you ever made the comment until i replied? ?

[ziggiau]

Haha, sure did! And hasn't the technology landscape changed so much in that time, hopefully all tools are more acurate now.

[CarolinaHunrichse]

interesting. I spent about an entirely hour after i read your instructable reading about geocaching. Thanks for introducing me to the theme. Very nice indeed

[FrozenIce]

hmmm... iv been looking for an instructable for geocashing! yay! thx :D

[urtlesquirt]

WOW! I love geocaching.

[xilefakamot]

Nice i'ble!
I've been geocaching for ages, but I haven't got around to making one yet

[james.mcglashan]

this is easly found and easly muggled

[matthewja]

Hey, I placed it higher in the tree. Someone moved it down, and Iremoved some camoflauge to make it seeable for the instructable. Moreso, this tree is in such a position that it can only be seen from oneangle. I'm sure you have a similar cache.