Did you ever want to go on a real-life treasure hunt? Now’s your chance! Geocaching is the 21st Century version of searching for buried treasure… using modern day technology! The Aurora Public Library District (APLD) has put together a month-long geocaching activity across all Library locations for you and your family to enjoy.
Geocaching is an outdoor activity, where participants use a GPS device or their phones’ navigational app to find containers, called “geocaches” or “caches”, at specific locations marked by coordinates. Last year, the activity was organized by Librarian Megan Cavitt at the Eola Road Branch and was received well by participants.
Feedback was positive. We had a variety of ages participate in the program, from senior citizens to very young children – which is what we love to see! Considering last year’s positive response, Cavitt decided to coordinate efforts with Santori Library and West Branch to provide geocaching at all locations this Summer. West Branch geocaching liaison Janet Stephens thinks children, teens, and adults, will have fun with this family activity. I’m looking forward to having it here at West this year! And it fits in well with our Summer Reading Adventure theme of Read Beyond the Beaten Path.
To participate in this Library exploratory adventure, pick up a clue sheet at any Library service desk to receive the GPS coordinates of the hiding spots. Use the Maps feature on your smart phone to track them down, or the Library can provide a paper map. Once you and/or your group have found three or more caches, return to the Library to receive a prize and be entered into the grand prize drawing! Because geocaching is available at all library locations, you can participate and be entered in the grand prize drawing at each location. It is a great opportunity to check off the, “Visit a library which is not one you usually visit” activity on your Summer Reading Adventure checklist! Not registered for the Summer Reading Adventure? There’s still time! Learn more at www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/sra.
We hope customers will enjoy exploring different spaces in and around the Library, working together as a team, and earning prizes. Participants have until the end of the month to complete the geocaching activity, so pace yourself and enjoy the hunt!
Andrea Tiberi is the communications coordinator for the Aurora Public Library District.