Thanks to advances in satellite technology, social media, and the Groundspeak Geocaching smart phone applications, geocaching as a family hobby is wildly growing in popularity. Yes, you can enjoy finding all the caches in your neighborhood and even treasure hunt on a day trip or two. But what about geocaching as a reason to take a family vacation? At Road Trips for Families, we call it Going on VaCachen®.

Here are some places to take a VaCachen in 2012:

Traverse City, Michigan
Convention and Visitors Bureau

In the winter months, Traverse City, Michigan transforms into a winter wonderland with sledding, skiing, snowmobiling and even dog sledding. But ask anyone who has attempted a Midwestern geocache in the middle of January, and they’ll confirm the misery of finding ground zero under a bank of snow. Thanks to the Traverse City Convention and Visitors Bureau, you’ll find a kid-friendly container in the comforts of the reception area (during non-business hours, die hard cachers can find a small container with log book hidden on the grounds). Pick up a local map and maybe even a travel bug or two.

Young Harris, Georgia
Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa

If you’re staying at the Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa in Young Harris, Georgia, look for ammunition canisters and quart jars containing unique trivia clues. Organized by staff in the Sweet Treat Emporium, Brasstown’s Geocaching Adventure is appropriate for both children and adults.  Guests who complete the Adventure and correctly answer all trivia questions qualify to win a prize. GPS systems can be rented for $30 for the first day and $15 each additional day.

Fayetteville, North Carolina
GPS Trail Trek of Cumberland County

The Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau  is using geocaching as a means to promote the community to others and help locals get to know the community. The GPS Trail Trek is a geocaching tour of Cumberland County and is comprised of 10 caches places through the county. Visit the site for a list of coordinates, additional clues, and even a video documenting the experience.

Bedford, Pennsylvania
Omni Hotels & Resorts

Sometimes it’s nice to have all the logistics figured out for you! If you’re in the Allegheny Mountains and feel like getting into nature on your next family vacation, the folks at the Omni Hotels & Resorts have set up a 90-minute geocaching seminar and scavenger hunt on the property. GPS devices are included in the cost (see the website for full details—advance reservations may be required).

Decatur, Alabama
Civil War Geocaching Challenge

Civil War enthusiasts can participate in a 21^st century treasure hunt and learn about Civil War-related attractions and their unique stories behind each destination while visiting the state of Alabama. Developed and coordinated by the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Appalachia Civil War Passport takes visitors on a journey to some of the state’s most prominent Civil War attractions by way of satellite technology.

To take the challenge, participants must first pick up the free Appalachia Civil War Passport either by downloading a copy here  or by visiting the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau located at 719 6^th Avenue SE in Decatur. Twenty geocache sites are included in the challenge. As participants find the caches, they must self-stamp the passport using a stamp placed in each cache container. Completed passports can be returned to the Visitors Bureau and exchanged for a commemorative coin of the 150^th anniversary of the Civil War.

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