Curious about those intriguing little tags you find in geocaches? You’ve likely encountered a Travel Bug®! These trackable tags, officially called Groundspeak Travel Bugs, add a unique dimension to the geocaching hobby. Let’s dive into the world of Travel Bugs with this comprehensive FAQ, designed to answer all your burning questions, whether you’re a seasoned geocacher or just starting your adventure. We’ve broken down the information into two easy-to-navigate sections: General Info and Owner Questions.
Part 1: General Info – All About Travel Bugs
What exactly is a Groundspeak Travel Bug?
Imagine a hitchhiker for the geocaching world! A Groundspeak Travel Bug is a trackable tag that you attach to an item. This clever tag allows you to follow your item’s journey across the globe on Geocaching.com. Think of it as releasing a little piece of your adventure spirit into the world, watching as it travels from cache to cache, person to person, all while you monitor its progress online.
What’s the purpose of a Travel Bug? What does it do?
The beauty of a Travel Bug lies in its open-ended nature. It’s entirely up to the Travel Bug owner to define its mission. Some owners set specific goals, like reaching a particular country or continent, visiting a landmark, or traveling to a certain number of geocaches. Others simply want to see how far their Travel Bug can roam. The real fun is in getting creative and inventing exciting objectives for your Travel Bug to achieve, adding a narrative to its travels.
How does a Travel Bug actually work? What’s the magic behind it?
Each Travel Bug is stamped with a unique tracking number. This number is key! Firstly, it serves as proof when a geocacher “discovers” or “retrieves” the Travel Bug from a cache. Secondly, this tracking number unlocks the Travel Bug’s personal webpage on Geocaching.com. Geocachers use this number to log their actions – “grabbing” it from a cache, “dropping” it into a new one, or even just “discovering” it. By logging these actions online, users mirror the Travel Bug’s real-world movements, updating its online diary and travel map.
I’ve found a Travel Bug! What should I do now? Don’t panic!
Congratulations, you’ve become part of the Travel Bug’s adventure! The first step is already done – you’re seeking information, which is perfect. Head over to Geocaching.com and log your find. The website provides a straightforward process for logging Travel Bugs. You essentially “grab” the Travel Bug from the cache in your online log, and then when you place it in a new cache, you “drop” it in that new cache’s log. This simple act keeps the Travel Bug’s journey documented and moving forward.
Where can I find a printable info sheet for my Travel Bug to help it on its journey?
Want to give your Travel Bug a better chance of achieving its goals? Creating a custom information sheet is a great idea! This sheet can explain your Travel Bug’s mission and encourage finders to help it along. To print this sheet, simply go to your Travel Bug’s dedicated page on Geocaching.com and look for the “print info sheet” option. Include this sheet when you release your Travel Bug into its first geocache.
I think I found a Travel Bug, but there’s no tag attached. Is it really a Travel Bug?
Likely not. While some creative geocachers might devise their own tracking systems for objects, official Groundspeak Travel Bugs are identified by their unique tracking number. Without this number, and often the recognizable Travel Bug barcode logo, it’s not part of the official Geocaching.com tracking system. There are exceptions for some geocoins that are also trackable, but for a standard Travel Bug, the tag with the tracking number is essential.
Do Travel Bugs track geocoins too?
Yes! Geocaching.com tracks a wide variety of geocoins in addition to Travel Bugs. Geocoins are collectible coins, often with unique designs, that can also be trackable and participate in the geocaching travel game. For more information specifically about geocoins and tracking them, explore the Geocoin section on Geocaching.com.
Is there a certain “Travel Bug etiquette” I should be aware of?
Absolutely! The Golden Rule applies perfectly to Travel Bugs: treat them as you would like your own trackables to be treated. Most Travel Bug owners are eager to see their bugs travel and explore. Therefore, try not to hold onto a Travel Bug for extended periods. A good guideline is to drop it into a new cache within a week or two. If you anticipate holding onto a Travel Bug for longer than two weeks, a simple courtesy email to the owner to let them know is always appreciated. Communication within the geocaching community is key!
Okay, I’m hooked! How do I get my own Travel Bug to start sending out on adventures?
Getting your hands on a Travel Bug is easy.
-
For US Orders: The most direct route is to visit Shop Geocaching, the official Geocaching store. You can purchase Travel Bug Trackables there. They are typically sold for around $4.99 each, with discounts available when you buy in quantities of 4 or more.
-
For International Orders: If you’re outside the US, check the Geocaching.com website for a list of international retailers. These retailers are authorized to sell geocaching gear, including Travel Bugs, in your country.
Part 2: Owner Questions – Activating and Managing Your Travel Bugs
I’ve received my new Travel Bug Trackable(s). What are the first steps? What do I do next?
Exciting! You’re ready to unleash your Travel Bug into the geocaching world. The very first thing you need to do is activate each Travel Bug. This activation links the physical tag to the online tracking system. Visit the Travel Bug activation wizard on Geocaching.com. The wizard will guide you through the simple activation process, getting your Travel Bug ready for its first adventure. Once activated, you can attach it to an item and place it in a geocache.
Where do I find my Travel Bug activation code? I can’t seem to locate it!
Your unique activation code is printed on the packaging that each Travel Bug came in. Double-check the packaging – it’s usually on a sticker or printed directly on the cardboard. Keep this code safe until you’ve activated your Travel Bug.
Uh oh! My activation code is missing, stolen, or maybe even “eaten by a pack of wolves!” How can I get a replacement code?
Don’t worry, lost codes happen! Geocaching.com has a handy activation code look-up tool. Use this tool to retrieve your code. You’ll likely need some information related to your purchase or account to verify ownership.
Why are there two tags in my Travel Bug package? One says ‘COPY’ – what’s that for?
The tag marked ‘COPY’ is your personal keepsake! This is a duplicate tag for you to keep. Many owners attach it to their keychain as a memento of their Travel Bug’s journey. It’s also a useful backup. If your original Travel Bug goes missing in action, the copy tag serves as a reminder and a quick way to access your Travel Bug’s page online.
Are there any restrictions? What should never be attached to a Travel Bug?
Yes, there are guidelines to keep in mind. Since Travel Bugs travel through geocaches, the same rules that apply to geocache contents also apply to items attached to Travel Bugs. Geocaching is a family-friendly activity, so cache contents, and therefore Travel Bug attachments, should be appropriate for all ages. Items that are prohibited include explosives, fireworks, ammunition, lighters, knives (including pocket knives and multi-tools), drugs, alcohol, or any other illicit or dangerous materials. Food items are also strongly discouraged in geocaches and should not be attached to Travel Bugs, as they can attract pests and decompose. Common sense and consideration for other geocachers are key.
How do I officially “drop off” a Travel Bug in my own geocache?
Dropping a Travel Bug into your own cache is a great way to start its journey! First, ensure you’ve listed your new geocache on Geocaching.com. Once the cache listing is active, revisit the cache page and click the link to post a new log. When writing your log, you’ll see an option to “inventory items.” This is where you select the Travel Bug you wish to drop into your cache. By logging this action, you officially place the Travel Bug into your geocache.
The distance calculated for my Travel Bug seems wrong. How can I correct it?
Travel Bug distance is calculated based on the date order of the logs. If users accidentally log a Travel Bug with an incorrect date, it can throw off the log order and result in inaccurate distance calculations. To fix this, you’ll need to identify the logs with incorrect dates. The best solution is to delete the incorrect logs and ask the users to re-enter them with the correct dates. Unfortunately, correcting distance issues often requires addressing them on a case-by-case basis and sometimes involves community cooperation to fix logging errors.
My Travel Bug is showing as still being in a cache, but I know it’s no longer there. How do I “remove” it from the cache listing?
Sometimes a Travel Bug is picked up from a cache, but the finder, for various reasons, doesn’t log the retrieval online. When this happens, subsequent geocachers visiting the cache will often report that the Travel Bug is missing. As the Travel Bug owner, you have the ability to virtually move your Travel Bug to a “Unknown Location” status until it resurfaces. To do this, go to your Travel Bug’s page on Geocaching.com and choose the option to “Move to Unknown Location.” This action won’t affect the Travel Bug’s overall travel statistics or distance calculation. Cache owners also have the option to move Travel Bugs listed on their cache pages to “Unknown Location” if they are confirmed missing from their cache. This helps keep cache inventories accurate.
