Geocaching to evolve into more diverse social forums

I’ve concluded that the Geocahing fad is no longer a fad but is and will continue to become ingrained into the fabric of society  in ways that we can not yet imagine.  Geocaching will be one of the things that change significantly over time but are still called the same thing, like “Rock-n-Roll” or “cell phone, ” neither of which resembles anything of itself from 20 or 5 years ago respectively. The old-timers will say, “I remember back when Geocaching was blah blah blah.” Or, ” Geocaching is nothing now like it used to be.” You watch.

I don’t know what kind of social change will ultimately be brought about from too much geocaching, but for now it seems to be very family friendly and nature friendly and those are good things and it’s hard to get too much of a good thing. But mark my words, someone will always come along and scew it up.

For about a month or so I’ve been bookmarking items about the Geocaching craze whenever I come across them because I am going to be making a presentation about it in early May and I like to get a head start on stuff like that. Here is the latest find from a tweeter on twitter that I think is worth mentioning:

NatureCache is coming to selected state nature preserves around the state.

The new series combines naturalist-led interpretive hikes with global positioning system (GPS) technology. The first event is scheduled for Tinker’s Creek State Nature Preserve in Portage County on April 18 at 10 a.m.

Tinker’s Creek, a 486-acre site, features extensive wetlands and excellent wildlife viewing. Armed with demonstration GPS units, visitors will learn to find some of the best wetland views. The easy hike is suitable for the entire family and is a perfect complement for Earthcache, a virtual geocaching activity encouraged at some state nature preserves.

Quite interesting. Sponsored by Gander Mountain Company, of course. The NatureCache  program implies a sophisticated management system is in use to manage a geocache-type course along with all the related content and the geo-tools that would go along with such a management system. If they don’t have that they will soon realize they need it. Anyone who wants to manage private geocache courses of any magnitude will need some kind of content management system to effectively run the operation.

I don’t think Geocache.com is going to own the game for much longer. Way too much opportunity for marketers to reach the consumer. It’d be like shooing vultures off a rotting carcass to keep the thing non-commercial.

If you haven’t ever heard of Geocaching, here are a few of the other articles I have bookmarked:

• Geocaching Becomes Popular Adventure
• Geocaching in New Yorks Finger Lakes (Sojourn Geoache Trail)
  
• Geocaching: The new outdoor craze
• Educators find value in geocaching craze
• The geocaching craze comes to Charlotte