Mensa Joins The Worldwide Geocaching Phenomenon

 

On October 1st 2011 Mensa is marking its 65th anniversary with a worldwide celebration of events under the Mensa Brilliant banner. Here in the UK we putting on a series of talks and lectures and for a wider audience we have teamed up with Geocaching.com to create a nationwide series of caches.

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting game in which the participants (Geocachers) use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers (called 'geocaches' or 'caches') anywhere in the world. A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook, pencil and 'treasure,' usually toys or trinkets of little value. Currently over 823,000 geocaches are registered on various websites devoted to the pastime. Geocaches are currently placed in over 100 countries around the world and on all seven continents, including Antarctica. In the UK there are currently over 81,000 caches.

Geocaching is a great activity that will get you out into the big outdoors. It's also an ideal way of getting your children away from their indoor pursuits as it involves walking and finding caches. It's a healthy activity that is therefore quite cost effective. If you have a GPS enabled device such as a handheld GPSr, PDA or

GPS enabled mobile phone it's (almost) free to participate. You can download the 'app' and find your first 3 caches for free using the one from geocaching.com Registration is also free. Once downloaded you simply input your 'position' and then ask the app to find the nearest caches.

A bonus can be that you will be taken to places of interest and beauty that are on your doorstep that you never even knew existed.

 

Find a Hidden Mensa Cache and You Could Win a Hand-Made Cryptex® Security Box

 

Find a Mensa Brilliant Day Geocache and follow the instructions inside.

If you have a correct solution you will be entered into the Mensa Brilliant Day competition for a chance to win handcrafted Cryptex® Security Box as first seen in the world wide blockbuster, The Da Vinci Code.

Here's a copy of the puzzle you will need to solve - download puzzle. Remember you will need the code from an actual cache to submit your answer.

Each Replica Cryptex® Security Box is individually numbered with a limited edition serial number. They are also fully functional security boxes as well as beautiful display or conversation pieces.

Good luck!

 

***   Congratulations   *** 

to…….

Jack Fitzsimons from Warwick

for finding a hidden Mensa cache near Stratford-upon-Avon

and winning the Hand-Made Cryptex® Security Box