Campers geocache at Hickory Hill Family Camping Resort in Bath, NY

In my mind geocaching and camping go hand-in-hand. Both involve a sense of adventure, love of the outdoors, and bug spray. Banding together for the third year, the Campground Owners of New York (CONY), a Pittsfield-based trade association that represents New York’s campground industry, has announced 15 New York campgrounds will be participating in a statewide geocaching program running from June 1 to October 10, 2011.

“Geocaching has gotten to be a really popular camping activity in recent years, partly because it’s as appealing to adults as it is to children,” said Don Bennett, president and CEO of CONY.

While the 2011 CONY geocaching program will be available to geocachers the entire camping season, a special coin will be hidden in one of the participating campgrounds on June 11 in honor of National Get Outdoors Day. Be the first to find the coin and redeem it for a special prize, compliments of CONY.

In order to participate in the geocaching program, stop by one of the participating campgrounds and pick up a CONY Geocaching Passport. Find the designated geocache container hidden on the campground property and bring a CONY geocoin to the camp office. Show the geocoin to the camp office and collect a stamp in your CONY Geocaching Passport. Collect at least five different stamps in your CONY Geocaching Passport and mail it to:

Reading the CONY Geocaching Passport

Campground Owners of New York: 1 Grove St., Suite 200, Pittsford, NY 14534

One lucky team will win a prize (to be determined) in the fall. Non-campers are welcome to participate in the program; respecting the camping guests and rules of the park. Some campgrounds may have more than one geocache container. Proof of CONY geocoin is required for a passport stamp, and avid geocaching is always encouraged.

Just remember, night caching and roasting marshmallows should not be attempted at the same time!

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