Along the banks of Thompson River and near the playground at Prince Charles Park there’s treasure.
James Murphy, president of the Kamloops Metal Detecting and Prospecting Club, says there is lost treasure everywhere in the city, but you need the right equipment to find it.
“There’s a lot of history out here and a lot of stuff that’s buried,” said Murphy. “There’s two mines that are close to us and one of them is called New Gold – how could you not look for that?
“Who doesn’t want to find a treasure? Who doesn’t want to be a raider of the lost ark? We’re digging up history.”
The Kamloops Metal Detecting and Prospecting Club began last November. With snow out of the way and the weather looking up, the club is ready to begin their new season of hunting for treasure in the city.
The group meets twice a month and participate in group hunts and equipment tests.
“There’s a lot of misconceptions about metal detecting in general,” said Murphy. “It’s like a violin, unless you know how to play it, the only thing you’re going to do is make noise.”
The group consists of a seven to 10 members who participate in hunts using metal detectors. The metal detectors use frequencies to tell either what kind of metal is in the ground or how far a particular object is.
The group have gone on hunts digging up lost jewellery, unfired bullets and rare coins.
“Just recently this year on our first dig I found a 1930 Canadian nickel. That’s history,” said Murphy. “We’ve pulled up watches that were still ticking.”
Murphy says one of the rarest things he has found was right in his backyard.
“The oldest Canadian coin I have ever found was in my backyard. A 1927 Canadian penny. I’ve never found a Canadian coin that old anywhere.”
However, not everything the group finds is treasure.
“When we go to parks and ball fields, we’re usually cleaning out all of the debris and rusty nails and needle heads,” said Murphy. “It's dangerous stuff, especially in kid’s parks, we’re surprised about the stuff coming out of there.”
The group is open to beginners to veteran hunters. Murphy says those interested in trying are invited to attend a meeting by contacting him.
“It’s nice for people to get together that share a passion and that are able to learn about it without having to discover it all themselves. It makes it a lot easier,” said Murphy.
