Treasure hunts may bring to mind pirates, scavenger hunts, and hidden caches of jewels, but in the early 2000s, the phrase Geocaching became a popular term and took on a whole new meaning as educators began to incorporate it into their classrooms. Geocaching is a global treasure hunt with millions of seekers. Participants use GPS-enabled devices to track down hidden containers and log their finds and experiences online.

Geocaching provides a wealth of opportunities to explore and celebrate geography, history, political science, etc. while connecting them to content areas. Here are some examples of incorporating geocaching-inspired activities in your classroom.

The geocaching lessons found on this page are shared as resources that can be used to teach and engage students of all ages. These lessons are the product of a collaboration between the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and Dr. Lorae Roukema's Social Studies methods classes at Campbell University.

Campbell University School of Education and NCDPI Collaboration The Geocaching Lesson Plan Activities Listed In This Chart Were Developed Using the 2021 NC Social Studies Standards. Uploaded Spring 2023
Elementary Grades Level	Kindergarten - Locations and Shapes 1st Grade - Community Helpers 2nd Grade - Branches of Government 2nd Grade - Movement and Settlement 2nd Grade Roles & Responsibilities 3rd Grade - Recycle 4th Grade - Government Leaders 5th Grade - Beliefs 5th Grade Founding Fathers	Middle Grades Level	7th Grade - Government and Power
Uploaded Fall 2022
Elementary Grades Level	4th Grade- Getting to Know NC 4th Grade- NC Communities and the People Who Changed Them 4th Grade - North Carolina Cultures 5th Grade - Federal Government Geocache	Middle Grades Level	8th Grade - Innovations

The Geocaching Lesson Plan Activities Listed in This Chart Were Developed Using the 2010 NC Social Studies Standards. It is strongly recommended that you use the 2021 Crosswalk to Determine the Appropriate Alignment with the 2021 NC Social Studies Standards.

Elementary Grades Level

1st Grade - Cache That Person
1st Grade - We Know the Rules
2nd Grade- Locating a Better Environment
2nd Grade - Spatial Skills - Life Cycle of Frogs
2nd Grade- Where is the School Cubby?
2nd Grade - Geometry Caching (Cacheing with SS, Technology, & Mathematics)
3rd Grade - Should Our School Build This?
3rd Grade - Can War be Civil (Battle of Ft. Fisher)
3rd Grade - Geocaching into the Mayor's Office
3rd Grade- Finding Your Location
4th Grade - Oh the Places You'll Know
4th Grade- North Carolina Explorer Mystery
4th Grade- The Three Branches of Government
4th Grade - Three Regions, Oh My
4th Grade - Buildings, Statues, and Monuments, Oh My!
4th Grade- Be the Change You Want to See
4th Grade - North Carolina Constitution Explorer
4th Grade - NC-State Symbol Mystery Puzzle
4th Grade - Inventor Investigation Mystey Puzzle
5th Grade - Colonial Caching
5th Grade- Founding Fathers Cache Lesson
5th Grade - Howell Woods Caching Trip
5th Grade - American History Cache
5th Grade- Ancient Explorer Expedition
5th Grade - Life in the Thirteen Colonies Hunt!
5th Grade - Explorations

Middle Grades Level

6th Grade - Cache Like an Egyptian
6th Grade - An Adventurous Look at Athens and Sparta
6th Grade - Technology Through History
6th Grade -A World of Religions
7th Grade - Mapping the Seven Wonders of the World
8th Grade - Technology Through History
8th Grade - These Groups Did What?
8th Grade - Native American Storytelling
8th Grade- NC Backcountry Settlers
8th Grade- Digging Up the Depression

Campbell University School of Education and NCDPI Collaboration