Geocaching By Samantha Rue Monday, December 6, 2010 Technology meets the outdoors

What is Geocaching? An outdoor scavenger hunt for hidden containers called “geocaches” An outdoor scavenger hunt for hidden containers called “geocaches” A fun hobby for people of all ages A fun hobby for people of all ages A way to promote community and environmental awareness A way to promote community and environmental awareness Motivation to spend time outdoors Motivation to spend time outdoors

Equipment Computer with Internet access Computer with Internet access Handheld GPS with USB cable or GPS enabled cell phone with Groundspeak application installed Handheld GPS with USB cable or GPS enabled cell phone with Groundspeak application installed Extra batteries for GPS Extra batteries for GPS Pen Pen

Equipment (cont.) Insect repellant Insect repellant Pair of tweezers Pair of tweezers Mode of transportation Mode of transportation Items to trade = “Swag” Items to trade = “Swag” Camera (optional) Camera (optional) Someone to go with you (optional) Someone to go with you (optional) Desire to be outdoors and explore Desire to be outdoors and explore

Register for Membership 1.Open your internet browser, type into the address bar, and then press ENTER. 2.Click the blue Create a Membership link in the upper right-hand corner of the screen, then on the following page click the Get a Basic Membership button. 3.Create a username and password and enter your first and last name, as well as a valid address. 4.Click Create My Account.

Register for Membership (cont.) 5.Open your account, and then open the you received from Groundspeak. 6.Click the validation link provided in the . 7.Log in using your username and password. Note : Groundspeak provides a Premium Membership option for a payment of $30 a year or $10 for three months; however, a Basic Membership is free and is sufficient for new geocachers.

Choose a Cache to Seek 1.Click the Hide and Seek a Cache link that is located on the left side of the screen. 2.Enter your zip code in the box provided under Seek a Cache, then click Go. You will then see a list of local geocache locations. 3.Click on the name of one of the caches to read about it and then decide whether or not you would like to attempt to locate it.

Choose a Cache to Seek (cont.) Traditional Cache Multi-cache Event Mystery Cache

Choose a Cache to Seek (cont.) Small - sandwich-sized Micro – film canister or smaller Large - 5 gallon bucket or larger Regular - size of a shoebox

Download location to GPS 1.Click the Send to GPS button under Download. 2.Click the tab on the pop-up Send to GPS box that displays the brand name of your GPS device (DeLorme, Magellan, or Garmin). 3.Connect your GPS to your computer using its USB cable.

Download location to GPS (cont.) Note : You may see a message telling you that you do not have a required plug-in, to resolve this, click the download button to download the communication software 4.Click the Send to button when your GPS has been recognized by the computer. 5.Disconnect your GPS from your computer.

Depart on your Adventure Use a mode of transportation to get to the area where the cache is located. Warning : Accidents can happen when exploring unfamiliar locations, so before you depart, it is a good idea to tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.

Use GPS to Locate the Geocache 1.Mark your starting point (your car for example) as a waypoint using your GPS. 2.Use the GPS to guide you toward the cache. Some systems will start beeping when you come within a certain proximity of the cache. 3.Stop walking and look in the area for possible hiding places (under a well placed rock).

Use GPS to Locate the Geocache (cont.) Caution : “Muggles” are non-geocachers that could potentially raid the cache; when searching in a public area be careful to not attract too much attention.

Open the Cache 1.Open the container. 2.Sign the logbook with your username and the date. 3.Trade any item within the cache with the “swag” that you brought with you.

Return the Cache 1.Place everything back in the cache, and then secure the lid. 2.Put the cache back where you found it and make sure to replace anything that was used to camouflage it. 3.Leave the area.

Log your visit online 1.Open your internet browser, type in the address bar, and then press ENTER. 2.Type your zip code in the box provided under Search for Geocaches, then click Go. 3.Click on the name of the cache that you visited, then click the Log your visit link under Navigation.

Log your visit online (cont.) Note : You cannot log your visit unless you have logged into the account you created earlier. You will need to click Log In on the upper right of the screen, and enter your username and password to gain access to the page.

Log your visit online (cont.) 4.Choose the type of log you will leave and then type a short comment about your trip in the Comments box. 5.Click Submit Log Entry to complete your post.

Conclusion You can now have fun finding caches within your own community and around the world. You can now have fun finding caches within your own community and around the world. Feel free to invite friends or family members along with you on your next hunt. Feel free to invite friends or family members along with you on your next hunt.

Questions

Sources/Photo Credits