Geocaching is all about adventure and discovery. It is a game of hide-and-seek with inanimate objects (they only do the hiding part), and it is the perfect mix of technology and good, old-fashioned gumption. The kids love it.
Needless to say, when the team behind Relativity Media’s new family film Earth to Echo created geocaching adventures in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Seattle, we got excited. After all, who doesn’t love a little family adventure pre-funk?
The concept of geocaching is easy, they hide the stuff, you find the stuff. In the case of the Earth to Echo Geocaching Adventure you don’t seek objects per se, but rather the words upon them. It’s all very cloak-and-dagger, but with shorts and smartphones.
The storyline for the geocaching is tied to the movie in that the young characters in the film, Tuck, Munch, and Alex, all receive a mysterious message on their respective phones leading them on an epic journey in search of the source. Also, fun.
That (above) is a scene from the movie. This (below) is a still of my kids IN REAL LIFE at the first stop of the geocaching journey. Bottom line, this stuff could happen.
I live in the greater L.A. area, so I packed up the family and a GoPro Camera for a day of geocaching fun. We weren’t disappointed. The locations were fairly easy to find, with each providing a word that unlocked the next destination—each new place worthy of far more time than my boys (11, 8) could allow. It turns out that adventure waits for no one, and the spots we visited will be there for more leisurely strolls in the near future. In theory.
To be clear, my entire family was already eager to see Earth to Echo based upon the images and trailer:
We are big fans of movies focusing on friendship, family, and the bonds between them—plus, this:
Having the opportunity to experience the Earth to Echo Geocaching Adventure just took everything up a notch. Not only are we looking forward to witnessing a dangerous, awe-inspiring journey with Tuck, Munch, and Alex once the movie opens, but we feel like we already had one of our own (actual danger may vary). It’s like we have history, and now, after a mission full of family fun we have the memories, too.
Here is a quick look at the Honea family Earth to Echo Geocaching Adventure in Los Angeles:
Earth to Echo opens in theaters July 2, 2014. It is rated PG.
Don’t forget to share your geocaching adventure via social media using #EarthToEcho, and follow the fun on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr.
This post is sponsored. Monetary compensation was received by both the site and writer, the latter also receiving a GoPro Camera to film the activity. All opinions are those of Whit Honea.
That video is the clincher. If I wasn’t already a Geek Dad frequent flyer, I’d be hooked by that short alone. I’ll be flying solo to Earth To Echo, perhaps a buddy with slightly older kids in tow. I can’t wait until my kids are old enough for that level of adventure.