Geocaching?!?!?!

So what is Geocaching?

a high-tech treasure hunting game

played throughout the world

by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices.

The basic idea

to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and

then share your experiences online.

What’s a cache…

A container with “stuff”maybe a travel bug or a travel coinA log book

Who does this?

People from all age groups

People with a strong sense of community

People who support for the environment.

What do you need?

a GPS (and extra batteries)

time – anywhere from 1 hour to many days…

sense of adventure and fun

Where do you geocache?

There are 683,342 active caches worldwide.

EarthCache in Central Park, NY Caches around Sir

Guy

Many Different Kinds of Geocaches

Traditional Cache

EarthCache

Mystery or Puzzle Caches

Multi-Cache

Event Cache

Cache In Trash Out Event

Why are we doing this?

Teambuilding

Physical activity – get outside

Learn a new activity

In your classroom…

You can use existing geocaches or create your own. We have some examples of how you could create clues based on your courseWe created a puzzle to put together as a team building activity after finding the geocaches as small groups

Things to consider…

Participants might not find all clues… They might take another group’s clues…Points difficult to get reading – good to use a few GPS units when setting them up and check one last time when actually putting out cachesThe weather…

Let’s start at www.geocaching.com

Login …

Username: Voccon2009Password: GPS2009Go to HIDE & SEEK A CACHE on the left hand side of the pageEnter the Postal Code for Sir Guy: K2G 5L4“Map It” on the right hand side

Geocaches around Sir Guy

http://www.geocaching.com/map/default.aspx?lat=45.2771&lng=-75.9457

Click on the cache and …

Tour d’Ottawa (west) – a Multi-cache set on some of the bike paths of Ottawa

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=238b8770-4ead-4298-b6e7-1ff1807a5fde

Once you’ve found your geocache…

At the bottom of the information check out the Cache Logs – Read what others have found, and write what you found…

Your region…

Take 3 minutes to explore your region around your school.

Ask for help if you’re having trouble!

PLEASE LOG OUT!!!!

So How Do You Find a Geocache?

Upload base maps of the areaDownload the Geocaches at your GPS website (ie. Garmin.com)To map your Geocache, click on the one you are seekingYou can draw a path to itYou can use your compass

But … for today …

You’re group will be given a hard copy of a satellite image (map) of the area with the general location of the geocaches You’ll be given the coordinates of each of the caches for this multicacheUse the GPS along with some clues to locate each cacheWe’ll help you get started with your GPS unit

What you need to know about the GPS for today…

Hold the power switch to turn it onOUTSIDE it has to gain the satelite signals (this might take a few minutes)Press “page” to find the screen with the latitude and longitude coordinatesNothing fancy is needed for today

What to bring?

Warm clothes – mitts might be goodOutdoor footwear for walking (you’ll be walking on snow etc.)GPS unit – handle with care please!Reading glasses if you need them…Sense of humour

How it should work…We’ll give your group an envelopeFind your first “geocache” – make sure it has your group’s letter on it – take the whole cache (bag and all)Continue to your 2nd using the clue from the 1st geocache (make sure you get your group’s cache)If you are struggling – don’t give up – come see us at the front doorsThe idea is to have fun!

Time to Begin…

… the Geocaching Experience