January 21, 2022 3:20 a.m.

Discover Roseburg 11 Land of Umpqua Geocache Series is set to launch on Saturday, February 5th.

A release from the City of Roseburg said the activity is hosted by Roseburg Parks and Recreation, and is a free event designed to also draw people from outside the area, so they can experience more of the city and the business community.

Staff will give out verbal instructions and coordinate giving out “passports” at the kick-off event that day at 9:00 a.m. at Stewart Park’s large pavilion. The event is expected to last until about 2:00 p.m. and will be held a day after five geocaches are hidden around town, according to Roseburg Recreation Coordinator Tracy Moser.

Participants must bring a smart phone or other device equipped with a Global Positioning System, or satellite-based radio navigation system, and a pencil to sign tiny log sheets at each geocache.

The release said using a GPS to follow coordinates printed on the passports, participants will hunt for the geocaches hidden around Roseburg, plus 15 virtual geocaches that will lead people on a scavenger hunt.

People who find all 20 geocaches can redeem their passports for a limited-edition collectors geocoin or metal token with a trackable ID number. Only 200 geocoins will be available. The geocache “challenge” will continue until all the geocoins have been awarded.

Passports to past challenges remain available at City Hall, so residents have time to practice before the new series begins.

After the kick-off event, passports can be picked up or dropped off at the front lobby of City Hall, weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. An alternative or after-hours pickup/drop-off spot is at the Hampton Inn and Suites on Mulholland Drive.

For more information, check out the Parks and Recreation events webpage: https://www.cityofroseburg.org/departments/parks-and-recreation/events