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Modern Day Scavenger Hunt Uses GPS-Enabled Devices to Find City’s Historic Treasures
July 17, 2012 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Centennial-themed Amazing Geocache Challenge is officially on, and anyone who appreciates a fun and family-friendly modern-day scavenger hunt is encouraged to participate – and possibly win prizes along the way. Officially started on June 2 to coincide with the city’s Flag Day Parade, the Challenge concludes at 5:00 pm October 7, 2012, coinciding with the end of the La Mesa Oktoberfest. It’s not to late to participate!
To get started right away, go to www.cityoflamesa100.com to download the Amazing Geocache Challenge Packet, which includes Challenge Form and coordinates and Historic Downtown Walking Tour. For more information about geocaching, visit Geocaching.com/guide or attend the next information session at the La Mesa Library, located at 8074 Allison Avenue, on Saturday July 21 at 11am.
Wildly popular throughout the world, geocaching events are outdoor treasure hunts using handheld GPS devices or GPS-enabled smart phones. Players navigate to a set of coordinates provided in search of cleverly hidden geocaches, or containers.
Participants -- known as geocachers – who answer all Challenge questions correctly are automatically entered into a random drawing to win one of 100 or more prizes, which include gift certificates for La Mesa merchants and the grand prize, an iPad. Throughout the Challenge event, players will also have the opportunity to find local discount coupons hidden in the caches.
The Geocache Challenge is designed to be both fun and informative. Players visit and learn about various areas of interest in La Mesa. A Historic Downtown Guided Walking Tour gives participants the option to learn more in-depth information corresponding with the cache sites.
Participants can leave comments on Geocaching.com as they go through the Challenge. One geocacher wrote, “Having lived here for such a long time, I really enjoyed finding places that I hadn’t noticed before, right in my own ‘back yard!” Another comment echoed the sentiment: “I have lived in the East County all of my adult life but, as always, when you drive daily back and forth, one misses so much that you can only see and appreciate by foot. Looking forward to the rest of the challenge!”
Sponsors for the Challenge include: the La Mesa Historical Society, which developed the Walking Tour and provided interesting historical tidbits into each of the caches; the La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation, which created several of the unique caches; the La Mesa Library, which created the first unique cache hidden in the library; and local flood, fire and mold restoration specialists Flood Masters, providing planning and financial support for the event.
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