Geocaching on MDG lifestyle

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How to address Young Modern Performers outdoors?

Background

Addressing Young Modern Performers (YMPs) outside in nature is a challenge that is taken up with this recipe. Our idea: YMPs like being outside, so we wanted to address them with short messages on development education while they are enjoying their leisure time in nature. We looked into what our target group likes to do outdoors and chose to include some small messages on sustainable lifestyle in a geocache. Geo…what? Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting online and outdoor game played in many countries by YMPs. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors with GPS devices and then share your experiences online. A geocacher can place a geocache in the city or the woods, pinpoint its location using GPS technology, and then share the geocache's existence and location online (www.geocaching.com). It is an interactive gaming experience. Searchers will locate the cache using GPS to get as near as 10 meters, and then they need to search for a box. Inside the box there are small items like coins, rings etc. that can be taken as rewards, or traded by replacing them with others. Also, there is a logbook in which every successful searcher will write down the date of discovery, and some personal notes which are also published on the internet platforms of geocaching. 

The idea of the game is not only to search for geocaches, but also that people share their favorite sights and view points with others. Therefore, it is also a web 2.0 tool for exploring new and interesting places. Geocaching is a trend. There are five million geocachers worldwide already, and the numbers are increasing rapidly with more than two million caches spread in cities and countryside. YMPs like to join geocaching as an individual outdoor leisure activity. They often have smartphones with built-in GPS, so they often go out for geocaching during their lunch break, during meeting breaks, or on the weekends.

Geocaching is one example, but not the only game or sport that target groups like YMPs  enjoy. Other activities include inline skating, jogging, and many other pastimes that are a) outdoor and b) individualistic. This recipe may give you some ideas on how to address YMPs  outdoors by combining development education with nature - may it be installing a painting with development information on an inline track, preparing a park bench, or something else completely. The idea is to reach YMPs  outdoors where they have not been reached by NGOs yet.