Geocaching Club

Welcome to Mrs. Bell’s Geocaching Club

What is Geocaching?Geocaching is an adventure game for gps users. Taking part in a cache hunt is a fun way to learn about the handheld gps. The idea is to have individuals and organizations set up caches all over the world and share the locations of these caches on the internet.

GPS users can then use the location coordinates to find the caches. Once found, a cache may provide the visitor with a wide variety of rewards.

History of GeocachingThe word Geocaching is GEO for geography, and CACHING for the process of hiding a cache. A cache in computer terms is information usually stored in memory to make it faster to retrieve, but the term is also used in hiking/camping as a hiding place for concealing and preserving provisions. On May 3, Dave Ulmer, a computer consultant, wanted to test the accuracy of his GPS by hiding a cache in the woods. He called the idea the "Great American GPS Stash Hunt" and posted it in an internet GPS users' group. The finder would then have to locate the container with only the use of his or her GPS receiver. The rules for the finder were simple: "Take some stuff, leave some stuff."

Image from: www.groundspeak.com

http://www.pdxgeocaching.com/dave/dave.htm

video clip of first geocache, or click on picture to watch

(Need DivX codex to watch video)

Dave with original stash tribute plaque

Founder of the First Geocache

Dave Ulmer

What exactly is a GPS Receiver?A GPS receiver is an electronic device that can determine your approximate location (within around 6-20 feet) on the planet. Coordinates are normally given in Longitude and Latitude by using the GPS satellites. You can use the unit to navigate from your current location to another location. Some units have their own maps, built-in electronic compasses, etc…

We will be using Magellan eXplorist to conduct our cache hunts!

How does GPS Work?The (GPS) is actually a constellation of 27 Earth-orbiting satellites (24 in operation and three extras in case one fails). The U.S. military developed this satellite network as a military navigation system, but soon opened it up to everybody else.

Each of these 3,000- to 4,000-pound solar-powered satellites circles the globe at about 12,000 miles (19,300 km), making two complete rotations every day. The orbits are arranged so that at any time, anywhere on Earth, there are at least four satellites "visible" in the sky.

Video courtesy of United Streaming

(click on image to watch video)

Video found at United Streaming.com -The Global Positioning System (GPS): A Technology of Extensive Use (03:19)

Buttons on a GPS Receiver

Images from Magellan eXplorist GPS Receiver Manual

What is a Cache?

A cache can come in many forms of a box, waterproof container, etc. Some people put in trinkets, money, disposable cameras, and almost all put in a log book to record your name!No drugs, alcohol, food

or weapons should be in a cache.

How do I find a cache?You can join several free geocaching clubs to find caches in your area. I joined www.geocaching.comFrom this site, you can print out the coordinates for the cache and get ideas of where it might be.You will then use your GPS receiver to follow the coordinates

(longitude and latitude) to the approximate area.

Keep in mind that distances can be deceiving.

Tips!Make sure you are with a buddy, never go aloneSome of the areas might be muddy, hilly, etc. Dress appropriately.Bring water or food if you head to a remote location.Always tell someone where you are!Bring extra batteries for your GPS receiver.Bring topo maps to help pinpoint the area.

What do I do when I find a cache?

Take something from the cache Leave something in the cache Write about it in the logbook Do not move the cache unless there are directions saying toE-mail missing or damaged caches to the person that hid the cache

Geocache JargonCITO-Cache In Trash Out - When out geocaching, take a bag with you and pick up trash along the way!Datum-A datum is something used as a basis for calculating and measuring. In the case of GPS, datums are different calculations for determining longitude and latitude for a given location.Geomuggle-A non-geocacher. Based on "Muggle" from the Harry Potter series, which is a nonmagical person. Usually this term is used after a non geocacher looks puzzled at a geocacher making circles with their GPS receiver, or when a non-geocacher accidentally finds a cache. Geomuggles are mostly harmless.

Continued on next slide…..

Cont..Hitchhiker-A hitchhiker is an item that is placed in a cache, and has instructions to travel to other caches.Spoiler -A spoiler is information that can give details away and ruin the experience of something.TFTC-Thanks for the cache!TNLN -Took Nothing. Left NothingTravel Bug -A Travel Bug is a hitchikerWaypoint-Waypoints are named coordinates representing points on the surface of the Earth.

Geocaching Clubs on the Net

www.geocaching.comwww.terrecaching.comwww.navicache.com

So what are you waiting for? Let’s go Geocaching!

Credits

Information: www.geocaching.comExplorist GPS Image: http://www.magellangps.com/products/Information and images: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gps.htmwww.unitedstreaming.com