The latest fad in CHS is geocaching. But how did this all begin? We look toward some of the teachers who have showcased it in their classrooms.

 
    “Geocaching is a scavenger-hunt led activity that uses hand-held GPS units to lead you to coordinates where a geocache is located.  A geocache is a container [of various sizes] that is hidden somewhere in the world,” said Mr. Guise, a science teacher at CHS. “When you find a geocache, you have the opportunity to sign a log book, possibly trade trinkets, and then post that you found the cache at geocaching.com.  Each time you find and post a geocache on the website, the site will show how many caches you have found.”

    Geocahces can be found by someone from another city, state, country, or an individual right here in our community.  By adding in the online element, geocaching provides a way to connect with people from all over the world.

     One of our school’s main proponents, science teacer Mr. Johnson, became involved with geocaching through his friendship with Mr. Guise.

    “He [Guise] took me out after school one day to find a few local caches.  I was hooked ever since,” said Mr. Johnson.

    Geocaching makes a fun hobby, but it also has a place in the classroom at CHS. This fall, the bioethics classes went on a field trip to geocache in chaperoned groups.

    “I try to incorporate interesting outdoor activities in the classroom because I think that it is a good idea for students to get outside and get away from their busy, set schedules.  I think that students will realize that being in the outdoors is relaxing and can be fun if they give it a chance,” said Mr. Guise.

    Mr. Jonson said, “I try to use geocaching as a way to take some time away from work and just enjoy the outdoors.  It is a great way to relax and learn a little bit about the local parks and wooded areas that surround you.”

    Geocaching is not just a game, however, it is also a challenge.

     “My favorite part of geocaching is the challenge and the scenery.  I like to find the geocaches by trying to get in the mind-set of the person who hid the cache.  The more challenging the caches are, the more rewarding they are to find.  Geocaching has taken me to parks and trails that I would never have hiked if I wasn’t going after a cache.  I have been to cliffs, waterfalls, creeks, and several other areas trying to find geocaches,” stated Mr. Guise

For those who are interested in finding out more about geocaching, go to www.geocaching.com.