At this moment, anyone may be standing near hidden treasure, they just need a computer to find it.

Geocaching, an adult version of hide-and-seek, was created in 2000 when global positioning systems first became available. The game began when a man hid a cache in the Oregon wilderness and posted it online for others to find.

Nine years later, it has grown into a craze. More than 800,000 geocaches exist around the world, 250 within a 20-mile radius of Athens.

Geocaching is a simple process. People log onto www.geocaching.com to sign up and type in their desired area code to find an item. Every search requires a GPS, as the coordinates are written at the top of every cache’s page. In accordance with the website’s instructions, “If you take an item, leave something too and … write about your visit in our log book,” each hidden cache is clearly documented.

Caches are classified in a variety of sizes from micro to large, or from the size of a pencil eraser to that of a large bucket. They also range in expertise level – the item could be sitting in plain view on a park bench or it could require a hike through the woods. Sometimes it involves solving a word puzzle to determine the location.

Geocaching is a great way to explore any city, either the one you live in or one you are visiting, says a geocaching expert, who goes by HeadHardHat, on geosnippits.com. It’s a way to connect with adventurers around the world.

On a recent hunt, what started as a simple act of following directions to find a cache turned into a 30-minute search in a wooded area desperately looking for treasure. The scavenger was thrilled to finally find it hidden at the foot of a tree. The experience became downright poetic when the treasure consisted not only a necklace in a glass bottle, but also a scroll containing words of wisdom.

Geocaching also promotes a clean environment. The orchestraters behind the game have started “Cache In, Trash Out” campaigns where people clean up state parks and other wooded areas where caches may be found.

All in all, geocaching is an escape from summer monotony and a dose of satisfaction for those hungering for adventure.