Land Surveyors and Geocaching

Geocaching (www.geocaching.com) is a very popular activity involving the caching (hiding) of something, recording the position with Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, telling others the position of the cache, and encouraging them to find it.

With the increasing popularity of this sport, more and more land surveyors are getting involved. One way is to supervise the construction of a monument with accurate State Plane Coordinates, readily accessible to the public where their GPS units could be checked.

Construction of the monument could be undertaken with the participation of the local geocaching group and the approval of a suitable site by local officials. An appropriate plaque or sign could be placed indicating both the coordinates (SPC and geodetic) and the parties involved in the construction.

Many Boy Scout troops across the country have become involved with geocaching. The involvement of land surveyors could provide both technical guidance and the opportunity for social contacts with the public.