1. Virginia Geospatial Extension Program

2.  Introduction to Geocaching  Virginia 4-H Geocoin Adventure Goal  Virginia 4-H Geocoin Adventure Toolkit  Summary of the Virginia 4-H Geocoin Adventure Procedures

3.  Geocaching is a high-tech entertaining adventure game for GPS users  The idea is to “hunt” for hidden containers (geocaches) that have been placed in the landscape  Pick an item from the geocache and leave an item…  Geocaching is enjoyed by people of all ages, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment www.geocaching.com

4.  Geocache examples Micro cache Example of contents

5.  Create account on www.geocaching.comwww.geocaching.com  Search for geocaches  Download geocaches to your GPS unit  “Hunt” your geocache  Sign logbook in cache  Take an item, leave an item  Return cache to exact position & condition in which it was found  Write about your experience on www.geocaching.com www.geocaching.com

6.  Items that have a tracking number & can be followed via www.geocache.comwww.geocache.com  Geocoins  Special coin created by individuals/groups as a signature item/calling card  Has unique tracking ID  Travel Bugs  A trackable tag that is attached to an item  Standard design

8. Goal: To support geospatial and geographical awareness and encourage everyone to learn more about their communities and their world. Most of all... have fun outdoors! As this initiative is an educational- based effort associated with the Virginia community 4-H clubs, we would like to encourage you to post pictures (on geocaching.com), include written history, interesting stories and/or fun- facts associated with each community as the geocoin makes its way... About this item: This coin was developed as part of a collaborative Extension, outreach and education effort through the Virginia Geospatial Extension Program (http://www.cnr.vt.edu/gep), Virginia Cooperative Extension 4-H (http://www.4-h.ext.vt.edu) and the National Geospatial Technology Extension Network (NGTEN - http://www.geospatialextension.org). http://www.geospatialextension.org

9.  If you would like your geocoin goal to be customized please let VGEP know within 1 month of your geocoin acquisition  Examples:  We would like our geocoin to travel East to West  We would like this geocoin to stay on the east coast of the United States  We would like this geocoin to leave the United States for 10 caches and then return

10.  CD with PowerPoint's & handouts  General information and instructions about the Virginia 4-H Geocoin Adventure  Virginia 4-H geocoin

11.  Create account on geocaching.com  Grab geocoin from current holder  Locate cache and place geocoin in a cache  Log your visit & digitally drop off your geocoin  Place your geocoin (& other 4-H geocoins) on your watchlist  Monitor the movement of geocoin(s)  Continue geocaching!

12. John McGee Geospatial Extension Specialist jmcg@vt.edu 540-231-2428 Jennifer McKee Geospatial Project Developer jmckee@vt.edu 540-231-9115