#WeArePlay: Meet the founders of Geocaching, the digital treasure hunt game with 3.4 million caches

What was the spark that led to Geocaching?

Bryan: It all started almost 25 years ago. We were just three friends working at a dot-com, all passionate about technology and the outdoors. One day, Jeremy brought a new GPS unit into the office, and we were fascinated.

Jeremy: I also found this early online game called the "Great American GPS stash hunt". I came back to the office completely hooked and told the guys we could build a website to make it easier for everyone to play. We all recognized the potential in that idea.

For those who haven't played, how does Geocaching work?

Jeremy: The basic idea is a real-world treasure hunt. When you find a cache, the rules are simple: if there are items inside, you can take one, but you have to replace it with something of similar value. Then, you sign the physical logbook and put the container back exactly where you found it for the next person.

Bryan, we heard Geocaching has had a huge personal impact on your own life. Can you tell us about that?

Back in 2001, I went to my first-ever Geocaching event. It was a simple potluck in a park, but that’s where I met my wife, Heidi, who was there with her son Dylan. Our first date was even a hike to find a special, hard-to-find geocache! Now, almost 25 years later, we’re a geocaching family through and through. It’s amazing because my story isn't unique; we hear all the time from people who have found lifelong friends, partners, and a whole community through this game.

Geocaching started before smartphones. How has technology, and Google Play specifically, changed the game?

Bryan: In the early days, you had to buy a dedicated GPS device that could cost hundreds of dollars. As a bootstrapped business, having our app on Google Play was legitimately game-changing for us. It put a powerful GPS device into everyone's pocket and gave us access to a global audience. It has really enabled the growth of this game worldwide. From a developer standpoint, we build our app on Google's technology; Google Maps is the foundation of the entire experience.

What's next for Geocaching?

Bryan: We’re celebrating our 25th anniversary with community events all over the world and by releasing Treasures, a brand-new feature in the app. Looking ahead, our mission remains the same: to inspire outdoor adventure, exploration, and community. We want to continue using technology to get more people outside, away from their couches, and having real-world experiences.