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 coin A 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 course We 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 caches The weather…

Let’s start at

Login … Username: Voccon2009 Password: GPS2009 Go to HIDE & SEEK A CACHE on the left hand side of the page Enter the Postal Code for Sir Guy: K2G 5L4 “Map It” on the right hand side

Geocaches around Sir Guy /map/default.aspx?lat= &lng=

Click on the cache and …

Tour d’Ottawa (west) – a Multi-cache set on some of the bike paths of Ottawa e_details.aspx?guid=238b8770-4ead 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 area Download the Geocaches at your GPS website (ie. Garmin.com) To map your Geocache, click on the one you are seeking You can draw a path to it You 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 multicache Use the GPS along with some clues to locate each cache We’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 on OUTSIDE it has to gain the satelite signals (this might take a few minutes) Press “page” to find the screen with the latitude and longitude coordinates Nothing fancy is needed for today

What to bring? Warm clothes – mitts might be good Outdoor 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 envelope Find your first “geocache” – make sure it has your group’s letter on it – take the whole cache (bag and all) Continue to your 2 nd using the clue from the 1 st geocache (make sure you get your group’s cache) If you are struggling – don’t give up – come see us at the front doors The idea is to have fun!

Time to Begin… … the Geocaching Experience