Presented by Isabelle Garneau February 2015 GEOCACHING The Modern Treasure Hunt

What is geocaching? Geocaching.com definition: “Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.”

What is geocaching? (cont.) Treasure hunt using satellites and GPS Uses waypoints (ex. 45 o ’N 122 o 800’W) Uses clues Objects are hidden everywhere and in all sizes

Historic of Geocaching First geocache was placed in Beavercreek, Oregon on May 3, 2000 by Dave Ulmer Headquarters is located in Seattle, Washington

Where can we find them? Geocaches are found EVERYWHERE! Over 2 million world-wide Found on every continent There’s even one on the International Space Station!

But WHERE can we find them? Urban caches “Bushwacking” caches “Power trail” caches Roadside caches

How do we get started? With you iPhone or Android, go to Find a nickname! Your phone will be used as a geocache hunting device!

Different types of caches These are of different nature and difficulty Traditional Mystery or Puzzle Multi-Cache EarthCache Letterbox Event Cache Cache In Trash Out (CITO) Webcam Cache

Terrain & Difficulty rating Star rating Terrain A breeze. Usually wheelchair accessible or could be reached by simply extending your arm. The hardest. Expect to climb, dive or crawl for these ones. It could even be only boat accessible. Not for the faint of heart… Difficulty The easiest. They usually “jump” in front of you. The toughest. This one should be thought about outside the box.

What does a cache look like? Geocaches (or caches) come in different sizes As small as the end of a pencil As big as an empty paint bucket Sizes are: micro, small, regular, large and “other”

How to get ready to go caching Visit the Geocaching website Search by location (Play dropdown menu) Look up on phone or import on GPS Research loaded caches Go outside and play!

What to do when you find one First, you make sure you remember where you found it Open the container! Sign and date logbook and log in you GPS or phone Exchange trinkets if there are any and if the container is big enough Return the cache to where you found it

Geocaching Itinerary

Now, let go play outside!!!