Geo Caching

Learning Plan Assignment By: Harry

What is it?

• Geocaching is;

– An outdoor “treasure hunting “game using GPS-enabled devices.

– Participants navigate to a set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.

Caches Are Everywhere

How Do You Play?

• Register for free on Geocache.com• Choose any geocache from the list and

click on its name.• Enter the coordinates of the geocache into

your GPS Device.• Use your GPS device to assist you in

finding the hidden geocache.

An Example

How Do You Play?

• After you find the cache, you should;

• Sign the logbook and return the geocache to its original location.

• Share your geocaching stories and photos online

What Are The Rules?

• If you take something from the cache, leave something of equal or greater value.

• Write about your find in the cache logbook.

• Log your experience at www.geocaching.com

• PUT THE CACHE BACK WHERE YOU FOUND IT!

Variations Of The Game

• Traditional Cache• This is the original geocache consisting of, at

minimum, a logsheet. • Larger containers generally include items for

trade. • The coordinates listed on the traditional cache

page provide the geocache’s exact location.

Variations Of The Game

• Multi-Cache (Offset Cache)• A Multi-Cache ("multiple") involves two or

more locations.• The final location is a physical container. • Most Multi-Caches have a hint to find the

second cache, • The second cache has a hint to the third, and

so on.

Variations Of The Game

• Mystery or Puzzle Caches• The "catch-all" of cache types• This form of geocache may involve

complicated puzzles that you will first need to solve to determine the coordinates.

• Mystery/Puzzle Caches often become the staging ground for new and unique geocaches that do not fit in another category.

Variations Of The Game

• A Travel Bug • Travel Bug is a trackable tag that you attach to

an item. • This allows you to track your item on

Geocaching.com. • The item becomes a hitchhiker that is carried

from cache to cache and you can follow its progress online.

Choosing A GPS Unit

• Usually find GPS units at electronic, camping and outdoor supply stores or online

• Need a GPS device that allows you to enter waypoints.

• A “basemap” feature is highly recommended• Too many features to explore, buy what you

can afford but keep in mind a top of the line model is not required.

Using Smart Phones

• Many phones now supporting GPS chips

• I haven’t used one but I’ve been told “there is an App. For that”

Extra Learning

• This turned into a “learn your GPS unit”• I bought the unit a number of years ago, never

used it much• I have been wanting to use my unit more for

hunting and fishing, but was not confident enough

• This gave me an excuse to become better with my GPS unit

Off I went

• I picked a cache that seemed close to home• Followed the coordinates to the general area• Commercial GPS units are accurate to a radius

of ????• I Could not find the cache!

• So…….

What Did I Learn

• I learned how to geocache

• I’m just not very good at it!• I did become much more confident in using

my GPS unit.