by Kathy Jones
Looking for a fun way to get out and take a walk in the woods or for an excuse to get up and get moving? Why not put some technology to work for you and explore geocaching at Raystown Lake? Geocaching is a fun, low impact exploration that uses a GPS to find a “treasure” or cache. The cache stays, but you get to sign in and the caches at the lake are actually activity based. Designed and placed in summer 2010 by Kathy Jones, an education professor at Juniata College, they have been a success among geocaches and now we invite YOU to get into the action. Hand-held GPS units (with instructions) can be borrowed FREE of charge at the Raystown Lake Region Visitors Center at Seven Points Recreation Area.
The four current caches (a fifth has been lost, but will be replaced) and the GPS units were made possible by a grant from the PA Department of Environmental Protection and placed with the cooperation of the Army Corps of Engineers, Friends of Raystown Lake, Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau and Juniata College. The activities are kid friendly ways to explore the surrounding environs and include “It’s for the Birds”, “Tracks and Scat”, “Lizards and Snakes”, and “Rabbits and Squirrels”.
Each cache includes a storybook or two, a story written by Jones to introduce the activity and the equipment to carry it out, plus a logbook. And in some case there may be other treasures inside with “tracker bugs.” These tracker bugs can be taken and then placed into another geocache (because we know once you start, you won’t be able to stop). And we ask you to also sign in and log your visit at www.geocaching.com – it’s free and easy to do. So get out there and enjoy the woods and learn how technology has “invaded” the woods, but is encouraging activity.
Raystown Moments 