An Introduction to Geocaching

What is Geocaching?

A high-tech treasure hunt

A game of hide-and-seek

A sport combining technology with adventure

Worldwide, outdoor game

Geocaching Terms

Geo = earth

Cache = hidden storage place for valuables

GPS = Global Positioning System

How did it get started?

- U.S. government released Global Positioning technology to the public on May 2, 2000

- On May 3, computer consultant David Ulmer hid a “target” in the woods in Oregon

- He posted the bucket’s GPS coordinates on internet and invited folks to try and find it

- Within 3 days, 2 people found the stash, logged their find, and went online to comment how much fun their “adventure” had been

“I use multi-billion dollar military satellites to find Tupperware in the woods.”

What do you need to go geocaching?

• A GPS or

smartphone

• Membership on geocaching.com (free)

Technology – Smartphones and GPSrs

Also might bring…

- tradeables to exchange

- gardening gloves/a walking stick

- a pen and/or pencil

- sunscreen/hat/band aids

- water/snack bars

Where are geocaches hidden?

• Public parks and walking paths

• Public libraries • People’s yards

• Inside businesses

Where are geocaches NOT allowed?

• On or across from school properties

• Military bases

• Government buildings

• Certain parks

How many geocaches are there?

• Worldwide, there are over 2.5 million active geocaches and over 10 million geocachers

How many geocaches are there?

How many geocaches are there?

Where are the geocaches?

What does a Geocache look like?

Micro Caches

Small Caches

Regular Caches

Large Caches

Geocaching for Beginners

What’s inside a Geocache?

Logbook (always)

Good Swag

Bad Swag

Travel Bugs and Geocoins

• Trackables are not to be kept; They have owners

• If you pick up a trackable, you need to log it online using the trackable number

• It is recommended that you place the trackable in a new cache within 2 weeks

Geocaching Terms

Cache Short for Geocache

Muggles Non-Geocachers

Coordinates Latitude/longitude of Geocache

Swag Trade items

GPSr Device used to find a Geocache

DNF Did not find

FTF First to find

Muggled Cache has been vandalized or stolen.

Types of Geocaches?

There are 18 different types of geocaches. We’re going to talk about the 6 most common types.

Traditional Geocaches

• The original type of geocache and the simplest

• You will find a container at the listed coordinates

• Has a container and a logbook.

• Involves 2 or

more locations • The final location

has a container and logbook

• Each stage has a clue to help you find the next stage

Multi caches

• Includes all

caches which do not fit into another category

• May have to solve

a puzzle to get the coordinates

Mystery/Puzzle Cache

Earth Caches

• No physical cache to find

• The focus is on a

unique geological feature at the listed coordinates

• To log a Find, you

must answer a series of questions

Event Cache

• A social gathering of geocachers

• Include flash mobs, potlucks, award ceremonies, Christmas parties, Easter events and more

CITO Event

• A special type of event

• Geocachers pick up trash in a local park or pull invasive species

What are the Rules of Geocaching?

Picture of someone thinking of rules

#1 Sign the logbook

#2 Trade even or up

#3 Rehide well in the same place you found it

#4 Log your find online

Cache owners and other cachers LOVE to read about your adventures! Photos are fun too!

How do I get started?

•Go online to www.geocaching.com

• Create an account and login.

Searching

• Enter the zip code of the area where you’d like to search

• See a list of caches within a certain-mile radius, with the closest being listed first

Searching

• Enter the zip code of the area where you’d like to search

• See a list of caches within a certain-mile radius, with the closest being listed first

The check marks indicate caches you’ve found; arrows, the caches that you have hidden.

“And what do I do if I DON’T find it?”

•Don’t feel bad. It happens to all of us, so you’re in good company.

•You still need to log your visit, even if it is a “Did Not Find” (DNF). The cache may be missing, and several DNFs can alert the owner to check.

• Feel free to write reasons why you feel you weren’t able to find the cache (e.g. too much canopy obscuring satellites).

To Hide a Cache

• You can’t put a cache inside a national park (although a national forest is okay).

•• You can’t put a cache close to a railroad track, a bridge, or a dam.

•• You should place a cache on private property ONLY if you’ve gotten permission from the owner.

•For a complete list of instructions, go to the geocaching.com website.

Bibliography

http://www.geocaching.com

http://www.marlenegeocaching.blogspot.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxmvEKy1aFI