February 3, 2023 3:50 a.m.

Roseburg’s next geocaching series launches on Saturday.

A City of Roseburg release said hosted by Roseburg Parks and Recreation, the Discover Roseburg 12 Land of Umpqua Geocache Series is a free, family-friendly event designed to draw people from outside the area to experience more of the city and its businesses.

Participants can gather at 9:00 a.m. for the annual kick-off at Stewart Park’s large pavilion. Parks and Recreation staff will give out verbal instructions and coordinate giving out the passports for the treasure hunt. The event is expected to last until about 2:00 p.m.

A smart phone or other device equipped with a Global Positioning System, or satellite-based radio navigation system is needed. Using a GPS to follow coordinates printed on the passports, participants will hunt for five real-world geocaches hidden around town, plus 15 virtual geocaches at special locations. People will navigate to all of the spots and fill out their passports along the way.

The release said this series will commemorate Roseburg’s sesquicentennial, or 150th birthday, which took place last October 3rd. A GPS-equipped device with a camera can be used at each stop to scan hidden QR code stickers to learn local history tied to that spot.

Participants who attend the kick-off don’t have to turn in their passports on the same day. They can finish the hunt and complete their passports on their own time.

After the kick-off event, passports can be picked up or dropped off at the front lobby of Roseburg City Hall on Southeast Douglas Avenue weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For more information check out the City’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cityofroseburg

Call Roseburg Parks and Recreation at 492-6899 for more information.