Geocaching for situational awareness
Geocaching is a modern day treasure hunt where people will place a "cache" in an area, sometimes in the sticks, sometimes in a neighborhood, and sometimes requiring some stealth. Then they will post the location and a description of the cache on www.Geocaching.com where us seekers can get the info we need to find it. It's a great way to get outdoors, but a little added bonus for us prepper types, it's a fun way to increase our situational awareness. Fun for kids, too!
All you need to get started is computer/internet access and some decent mapping skills, however, it's much easier to navigate via a handheld GPS. Many phones now have GPS functions but make sure they will accept longitude and latitude input as this is how cache locations are recorded. Sign on to www.Geocaching.com and check for caches in any area you choose, there are plenty! In fact, you'll be surprised when you find so many near you. Record the info for the caches you want and head out on the hunt.
While out be careful to observe possible resources that might be of use to you now or post-event. There are plenty of times I end up saying, "oh, I didn't know there was a ________ here." I've found cool hole-in-the-wall shops, parks, gardens, clusters of fruit trees, new routes of travel, you name it. But I wouldn't have known unless I got out caching.
Think about your day, you travel the same roads while visiting the same places. Of course you would! You've found the most effective and efficient means of performing your daily tasks. You wouldn't have known about that hidden pond or that new fly-fishing shop because guess what (blasphemy!), not everything is on the internet.
Even if you don't consider Geocaching a valuable situation awareness tool, it's a fun way to get out with your family and explore your world. Log on and try one for yourself, you won't regret it. But be warned, its addicting!