This article was originally published on Cache Up NB. It has been mirrored here for archive purposes only.
Among the things I enjoy the most, I would have to say that geocaching is pretty high up on the list. But above that I would have to say that spending some quality time with my son Dylan is at the top. Not too long ago, I had the opportunity to take him out for a round of caching in Irishtown Park. I wanted to share my experience with our readers.
Dylan has gone out caching with me since long before he could even walk. The first time I went out caching (after having been shown the sport by FunkyNassau), I actually brought along my wife and Dylan who was only four months old and happily joined us in his stroller. Several times afterwards, we’d go for walks in Mapleton Park and we’d push Dylan in his stroller and enjoy the time out in the air.
When Dylan finally learned to walk and started wandering around the house, he came upon one of my infamous “crayon” containers that I use as caches from time to time. (Anyone who’s done my series on Gunningsville Blvd in Moncton will be familiar with these). He asked me what it was so I told him it was a cache. I told him that I would hide caches and that people would find them. It eventually lead to a game we would play outside where I would “hide” the container in the bushes in the front yard and Dylan would go “find” it. He’d “bushwhack” through the bushes, find the container and bring it to me. We’d open it up, look at the goodies, then close it up and Dylan would re-hide it. We would then proceed to do this all over again and again and Dylan enjoyed it every time. Not long after I took him out with me to find a few caches here and there. Even at less than two years old (at the time), he never balked at going through the woods, stepping over stumps and logs. He just plowed through like a real trooper.
Now, as we got further along the trail and we came to the “enchanted” portion of the trail, it became quite obvious why Argus chose to call this the enchanted portion of the woods. The trees are extremely tall and narrow and the view, especially right now with just a touch of snow around, was absolutely beautiful. Dylan kept looking at the trees and I found myself smiling as I was able to share being in such a beautiful place with my son.
We eventually did find the cache after going over several trail-type bridges, skating a bit, doing a bit of bush-whacking here and there and when all was said and done, it was time to turn around and head back to the car.
I stopped us to have a little break as Dylan was getting hungry and I needed to re-hide one of the caches we had found a bit better than I had found it. Dylan enjoyed his snack and had a drink or two and we just paused for a few moments to enjoy the view we had, where we were, and the fact we were out together. It was at this time a huge smile came across my face.
Geocaching is about a lot of things, but one thing that rarely gets mentioned is how it bonds people together. I’ve written before about how geocaching can be a very social activity, but it wasn’t until my little trip with Super D that I realized that it can be something else as well. It can be an opportunity for father and son, mother and daughter, brother and sister, and even friend and foe, to bond.
Dylan didn’t care where he was that day. All he cared about was the fact that he was hanging out with his dad. I could have easily just stayed home and watched TV with him, or let him play his own games while I sat and did my own personal thing. But for me, in this instance, I chose to bundle him up, and take him out caching with me. He was so excited to be able to go out and see the woods, and do some “bushwhacking” and maybe find a toy or something in one of the containers. He even said after the last cache that we had to get something from that cache for Megan (his sister).
In the world we live in today, a lot of young kids are becoming obsessed with technology, video games, and other activities that keeps them from going outside and enjoying the wonder that is the world we live in. Being a technology guy, you’d think my kids would be swimming in it. In fact, I’ve taken an opposite stance on the subject. They watch a very limited amount of television, never play on my computer, and only use my phone or iPad once in awhile. I’d rather them spend time doing actual “playing” versus having their head glued to a screen. Geocaching has provided me a great way to take my kids out of the house and expose them to being outside. Fortunately for me, they love it so it works out well.
When all was said and done and we were back in the car heading home, I couldn’t help but think about the fact that had it not been for the sport of geocaching, I would likely have never gone into Irishtown Park. I would not have been enchanted, and I would not have had such a great experience with my son. We talked, we walked, we bushwhacked, we signed logs, crossed bridges, and just had a great time being outdoors. Of all the things geocaching can be to people, giving me a chance to bond with my son has got to be the best of them all.
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