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BC Recreation Sites And Trails Join Geo-caching Craze

ministry of forest, lands and natural resources [1]A partnership between Backroad Mapbooks [2] and the Province is bringing the exciting activity of ‘geo-caching [3]‘ to 18 of B.C.’s popular recreation sites and trails. In recognition of their 20th anniversary, Backroad Mapbooks has developed a GeoTour program [4] to celebrate and promote Canada’s beautiful backcountry. The GeoTour is based on the popular recreation activity of ‘geo-caching’ – a modern-day treasure hunt that uses GPS co-ordinates to locate containers (called caches) and collect ‘treasures’ in a specific area or along a specific route.

Backroad Mapbooks has teamed up with Recreation Sites and Trails BC [5] to launch Phase One of the tour, which includes using 18 recreation sites and trails throughout the province as ‘geo-caching’ locations. A total of three cache containers have been hidden in each of B.C.’s six regions, plus two bonus caches for a total of 20 caches. The caches are named and hidden under three specific themes: on the trail, on the road and on the water.

The object of the tour is to find all the hidden caches and ‘swap’ and collect items inside the containers. As you collect different ‘treasures’ under each theme, you then place the corresponding stickers on a sticker collection page. Once you collect all stickers in each region you can send them in to receive the Backroad Mapbooks regional geocoin.

“Celebrating 20 years is a big milestone for Backroad Mapbooks,” said Chris Taylor, vice-president, Backroad Mapbooks. “What better way for us to celebrate than to continue to find other ways to promote Canada’s great outdoors.”

Backroad Mapbooks has invested over $50,000 towards Phase One of the program. Recreation Sites and Trails BC contributed approximately $6,000 and also participated by hiding the caches across B.C.

This week is National Forest Week [6], Sept. 22-28. B.C.’s recreation sites and trails are an important part of B.C.’s local communities by supporting local business, job creation and promoting healthy living and outdoor recreation. Participating in the Backroad Mapbooks GeoTour program is another example of how this government is working to take advantage of new opportunities to benefit B.C.’s residents and visitors.

“Geo-caching is a game that crosses provincial and national borders,” added Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations [1] Steve Thomson. “This program provides another incentive for people to enjoy our beautiful forests at our recreation sites and trails.”

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