BOSTON, December 27 – Orienteering has existed for hundreds of years, but now global positioning systems (GPS) give this popular hobby a high-technology twist: Geocaching. Elderhostel, the world’s largest not-for-profit educational travel organization for older adults, is offering its first geocaching programs next Spring – a combination of immersion in GPS technology, educational activities and exploring the outdoors..

Adults 55 and over are among the fastest-growing segments of the population embracing new technology. Each of Elderhostel’s geocaching programs combines GPS technology and Internet resources for a hands-on learning experience. With thousands of geocaches across the U.S., Elderhostel’s geocaching adventures introduce older adults to a new way to explore. The programs are an introduction to the sport and present opportunities for participants to practice what they learn.

A Hide and Seek Adventure in Natural North Florida touches on the environmental impact of geocaching and focuses on how to locate and hide local caches. Additional lectures highlight local history and natural habitats in this unique part of the American South.

A Southwest Virginia Treasure Hunt is a four-night adventure offering a look at Virginia’s rich history. New geocachers also learn how to find, create and hide caches in bucolic Washington County in the Blue Ridge Highlands, and join in the search for more than 1,200 caches in southwest Virginia.

Additional geocaching programs are being developed, including one at the Kettunnen Center in Michigan and another in the heart of the Berkshires.

“We are excited about this new group of programs,” says Fran Rivkin, associate vice president of North American programs. “Each program presents an engaging opportunity to learn about GPS technology and to explore and discover the local area.”

Elderhostel, founded in 1975, is the world’s largest not-for-profit educational travel organization for adults. Approximately 160,000 people enroll in Elderhostel’s nearly 8,000 programs annually. Elderhostel provides exceptional learning adventures throughout the United States and Canada and in more than 90 countries around the world. In 2004, Elderhostel launched Road Scholar to meet the needs of a new generation of independent educational travelers. For more information, please visit www.elderhostel.org or www.roadscholar.org.