Beech Tree News Network

The geo what?  Who are the geocachers?   Why are they coming here?  Who asked them to come?  Should we have a welcome reception for them?  Do we need to notify the authorities?  What is a geocacher anyway?

All very good questions.  Geocachers are people who take part in geocaching.  Geo What?  Geocaching is a recreational pastime whereby geocachers hide containers outside and post their location (using global positioning system coordinates (GPS coordinates)) on the internet. Other geocachers use a GPS device (commonly a cell phone) to locate the containers.  It’s often described as an electronic treasure hunt ….without the treasure.   Geocachers sometimes make the joke that they use a top secret, multi billion dollar military satellite system to find Tupperware in the woods.  Geocache containers range in size from a 5 gallon bucket to the size of a pencil eraser.  Almost all geocache containers contain some sort of paper log that geocachers sign when they find a cache.  If the container is large enough there may be low cost trade items such as small children’ s toys.  There are over 3 million geocaches hidden around the world in over 191 countries on all seven continents.  There are a few geocaches in outer space. 

Geocaching started 25 years ago when the government “flipped the switch” giving the general public access to the satellite system.  On May 3, 2000 (the day after the public got satellite access) the first geocache was hidden  in Oregon.  The location was published on the internet.  A day or so later several other people found the geocache.  Geocaching was born.  

May 3, 2025 marks the 25^th anniversary of that first geocache hide.  To mark the occasion there will be a geocaching event held at the Charles T. Black Park in Morgantown.  The title of the event is GeoWoolsock which is a parody of a large national geocaching event named GeoWoodstock to be held in Morgantown, West Virginia.   Geocachers from the area will come to Morgantown to have a short fellowship meeting and thereafter travel throughout Butler County to search for geocaches.  Dick Deye, the organizer of the event, states that there will be approximately 50 new geocaches hidden throughout the county for cachers to find. 

To highlight the significance of the 25 th anniversary of the first geocache hide.  County Judge Executive Tim Flener and Morgantown Mayor Billy Phelps have signed a Proclamation proclaiming Saturday May 3, 2025 as GeoWoolsock Day in Morgantown and Butler County. 

ProclamationPROCLAMATION signed.pdf

Any members of the public who are interested in learning about geocaching or participating are welcome to attend the event at 9 am on May 3, 2025 at pavilion number two at the City Park.  Geocaching is popular family activity that can be enjoyed year round.