For Immediate Release
GPS Treasure Hunting – New Educational/Tourism Product
Launched – Thousands of Dollars Worth of Prizes – Warning of Northern
Sasquatch
A new, four-season tourism product for Northern Ontario is entering its
second phase of development and participants have a chance to win thousands
of dollars worth of prizes.
The Northern Ontario GPS Treasure Hunting (NOGPSTH) brand combines the
application of the emerging Global Positioning System technology with the
search for caches in the great outdoors. "Some may think this is geocaching,
but it is not," said Sandra Smyth, Chair of the Mattawa & Area Forestry
Committee for Economic Development. "There are interesting stories to read
at the cache, connected to the area the treasure hunter is in and the big
difference is the recovery of the code word which gives the participant the
chance to win thousands of dollars worth of prizes listed on the
website. Prize
additions and new caches are regularly updated." At present, there are
approximately 100 caches located throughout the north. The forestry
committee helped initiate the first phase of development of the product. The
brand is working towards having 500 in 2004.
"It is all about bringing new visitors to Northern Ontario. It is a great
way to learn about natural and cultural heritage," explained. Bill Steer
Manager, Education, of the Canadian Ecology Centre Foundation." It really
combines society’s lottery mentality and the many ways we utilize the
outdoors with our recreational pursuits." The chance to win is based on
using the GPS to find hidden caches through a series of clues, which are
found on the website. "It is a great activity for a number of audiences on a
four-season basis." Results from the first year of development indicate
visitors are coming to the north. There are also "commercial caches" found
at businesses that also contain the code word.
He likens the activity to fishing. "The GPS unit is your fishing rod, the
searching for the caches is the fishing trip experience, the catches include
the story and the prize at the cache and the trophy fish is the chance to
win the big prizes on the website." These prizes include a canoe, diamond
ring, an original painting and a variety of high-quality merchandise and
hospitality packages. Prizes are expected to exceed $50 000 Caches are found
near trails, canoe routes, points of interest and prominent natural
features, which are highlighted in the stories. It is a low-impact,
educational activity that can be undertaken throughout the year. NOGPSTH
promotes the wise use of identified, well-mapped and signs trails for
motorized outdoor enthusiasts. He predicts lodges, community groups and
tourism-related services will diversify and include GPS treasure hunting in
their promotional offerings. Training and cache development packages for
suppliers are available, along with special event opportunities. "We can
work together and share the benefits through this new and exciting tourism
product, that is distinctively our’s."
Recreational users of GPS (families, hikers, mountain bikes, canoeists,
ATV and snowmobile riders, snowshoers etc…) search for the caches, find
prizes at the cache and a code word which they electronically send back to
the website. There are three levels of challenge including the introductory,
family and "Sunday driver" level, intermediate and the most difficult
"weekend warrior," all are have the same value.
The product’s tag line says "Search, See, Learn and Stay Awhile." "We
want participants to enjoy the challenge of the GPS treasure hunt, learn
about our heritage and visit our communities," said Mr. Steer. Northern
Ontario GPS Treasure Hunting also warns GPS enthusiasts to watch out for the
brand’s mascot the "Northern one-horned Sasquatch." It can be seen on the
website putting out more caches throughout the region and Northern Ontario.
The Canadian Ecology Centre (CEC) are the product developers of this
educational-tourism program. The CEC is located within Samuel de Champlain
Provincial Park, it has a forestry science and environmental education
mandate. and is a non-profit, registered charity.
For more information contact, Bill Steer at 705-744-1715, ext. 570 or
