Thanks to advances in satellite technology, social media, and the Groundspeak Geocaching iPhone application, 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™.

Road trips is Still on VaCachen with another batch of resorts, festivals, state parks, and even entire towns with geocaching adventures. Keep coming back to our newly launched Geocaching column. Add a comment if you have a VaCachen idea to share (no spoilers, please). TFTC!

Four Seasons Resort Whistler

This summer families staying at Four Seasons Resort Whistler can experience a modern-day treasure hunt, navigating their way to fun, all the while exploring the valley floor and mountains of Whistler. The Family Adventure Package provides an activity for all ages to enjoy. This updated version of the scavenger hunt uses the latest in Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to guide participants to buried treasure. Starting from CAD $385 per night the Family Adventure Package includes a Deluxe Room and 10 per cent savings on all meals purchased at the Resort and complimentary tickets are provided for adults plus free tickets for all children under 10 years to experience Whistler Geocaching Adventures. Families are also given a backpack filled with goodies upon arrival to prepare for the great outdoors. Orienteering items include a Four Seasons water bottle, Executive Chef Scott Thomas Dolbee’s Signature Trail Mix, a British Columbia Guide to Wildlife, a Cliff Bar™, granola bar and chocolate. The cache, which contains a ‘treasure’, can be arranged in advance by the group leader. For instance, a Polly Pocket™ might be used for a family with small children to find. Families also receive a prize ‘Geocoin’ at the end of their adventure which they can register and track online as it moves around the world. For more information or to book your stay call 1 (888) 935-2460 or visit www.fourseasons.com/whistler.

Oregon’s Adventure Coast Challenge

To celebrate 10 year’s of Geocaching, Oregon’s Adventure Coast is launching their very first Oregon’s Adventure Coast Challenge. Unique handcrafted Myrtlewood GeoCoin from our friends at Oregon Connection is the prize. Myrtlewood has a rich history Oregon’s South Coast, as the town of North Bend was the first and only town to use Myrtlewood coins as currency during the Great Depression. The Challenge is to locate a number of interesting and historical locations by Coordinates throughout Oregon’s Adventure Coast and answer specific questions about each location. Simply stop by Oregon Connection (1125 South 1st Street, Coos Bay, OR 97420 – Now OPEN Sundays too!) and ask for your list of coordinates. You’ll be taken throughout Coos County to answer these questions and will be treated to outstanding beauty along the way. Once you’ve successfully answered all the questions, return the card and receive your one of a kind, numbered Myrtlewood geocoin. 500 unique coins were produced. The challenge kicked off with a tournament Feb 13 and will continue until the last coin has been claimed.

Missouri Headwaters State Park, near Three Forks, Montana

Grab your GPS unit and compass! The Missouri Headwaters State Park Geocache Challenge started on May 1 and continues through September 24. Bring the whole family and enjoy a summer of GPS and compass activities throughout one of Montana’s most popular state parks. Geocache Challenge is a self-directed outdoor game specifically designed for Missouri Headwaters State Park. The game has two versions: play with a GPS unit or play with a compass. Pick up a new challenge card each week from the park’s fee station or office. The cards will guide you to various key spots where you will find answers to questions about the plants, animals, and history of the Missouri Headwaters.

The Geocache Challenge provides you, your family, and friends with a fun and new way to explore the park—anytime during regular operating hours, sunrise to sunset.  Rich in Native American and Lewis & Clark history, Missouri Headwaters State Park offers more than four miles of hiking trails, a picnic area along the Gallatin River, campsites, a rental tipi, and interpretive displays. The park is located four miles northeast of Three Forks on State Highway 286. For more information, call 406-994-6934 or visit the park website.

More Montana: Geocaching 101 at Pictograph State Park, August 7

A local Boy Scout and high school student will lead a geocache hunt with prizes and talk about this unique, high-tech outdoor adventure on Saturday, August 7, 2010 at Pictograph Cave State Park near Billings. The hands-on “Geocaching 101” program, practice and hunt will help participants understand the use of the Global Position System (GPS) and its use in leaving and finding hidden caches anywhere in the world.  The family-friendly program begins at 7 p.m. in the Park’s visitor center.