Flathead Valley Community College and students in the natural resources conservation and management program invite the community to participate in the first FVCC Geocache Adventure Oct. 19.

The event will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the FVCC campus.

Geocaching is an outdoor recreational scavenger hunt that involves using global positioning system coordinates to locate hidden objects.

The real-world, real-time scavenger hunt has 2,241,790 active geocaches and more than 6 million geocachers worldwide.

It is estimated there are more than 3,700 geocache items hidden within the 59901 zip code alone.

The FVCC Geocache Adventure will include an easy course and a difficult course.

The easy course is designed for families and children ages 12 and under and will have 10 caches hidden around the immediate campus. The difficult, competitive course for avid navigators will be timed, with 16 caches scattered across the entire 216-acre property.

Each course is designed and tested by the college’s natural resources students and is intended to improve participants’ skills in using navigational tools, including a compass and GPS.

“Navigation is an important skill to have, especially where we live,” said Christina Relyea, natural resources assistant professor. “Navigation not only enhances your favorite outdoor activities, but more importantly, it can help you to be safer while you enjoy them.”

Prizes for each participant in the easy course will be stored within hidden containers at each of the 10 locations. For the difficult course, the person who comes in first will win a Garmin GPS. Second- and third-place prizes also will be awarded.

Participation is free, but limited, and registration is required.

Registration forms are available online at www.fvcc.edu. Participants must provide their own GPS units or mobile phones with GPS capabilities.

More detailed descriptions of the courses are available online.

Registered participants should report to the main entrance of the Arts and Technology Building (N 48013’39.8”, W 114019’33.4”) at 10 a.m. the day of the event to sign in and receive coordinates before beginning the adventure.

For more information, contact Relyea at 756-3946 or by email at crelyea@fvcc.edu.

More information on geocaching can be found at http://www.geocaching.com.