This summer, nearly four hundred young people have stretched their minds and bodies, using GPS to hunt for hidden clues in the landscape, thanks to the Geocaching Team at Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority.
The project targets young people aged between eleven and twenty-five who are vulnerable or socially excluded and provides them with an opportunity to learn about and take part in geocaching. Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity where those taking part use GPS units or mobile phones to search for containers known as ‘geocaches’ or ‘caches’. The locations for the caches are marked by coordinates and can be found throughout the world.
The team at Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority provide geocaching training for the leaders of youth groups and help lead sessions for groups of youngsters to take part in the activity. They also provide assistance for youth groups to set up geocaching trails within their own regions. The project encourages youngsters to use technology in a way that will benefit their health by getting them active outdoors and is funded by Sports Wales.
Deborah Perkin, National Park Member Champion for Business and Communities said; “It’s wonderful that the National Park has provided healthy fun for nearly four hundred vulnerable and socially excluded young people this summer. Geocaching has proved to be a brilliant way of getting young people outdoors – it’s the perfect combination of modern GPS technology and old fashioned fresh air, having fun with a group of friends. What is the National Park for if not for the benefit of everyone’s health and peace of mind?”
For further information contact Ilona Carati or Matt Phillips, Activity Leaders on geocaching@beacons-npa.gov.uk
ENDS