Geocaching
[jee-oh-kash-ing]
noun: geocaching
An outdoor activity, in which participants use a Global
Positioning System (GPS) receiver or mobile device and
other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers,
called "geocaches" or "caches", anywhere in the world.
A high tech scavenger hunt
Who Thinks of These Things
• GPS, or Global Positioning System, was
developed by the US Department of Defense
in 1995. Signals of the system were scrambled.
• May 1, 2000, President Clinton announced
that this scrambling would be turned off.
• On May 2, 2000 civilians were able to enjoy
GPS with accuracy of 30 meters, closer today.
May 3, 2000
• Dave Ulmer, placed a container in the woods near
Beavercreek, Oregon.
• It contained a logbook, pencil and swag.
• He shared the waypoint of his "stash" with the
online community on sci.geo.satellite-nav:
N 45° 17.460 W 122° 24.800
• Within 3 days, 2 different readers read about his
stash, used their own GPS receivers to find the
container, and shared their experiences online.
Types of caches
Type
Definition
Traditional
Most common will contain a logbook and located at the
given coordinates.
Puzzle / Mystery
You will first need to solve a puzzle to determine the
correct coordinates.
Multi-cache
Involves two or more locations, with container and logbook
at the final location .
EarthCache
Geological location of a unique feature of the Earth. You
will respond to questions from observations at the
location.
Event Cache
A gathering of local geocachers. A web page specifies a
time for the event and provides coordinates to its location.
An event calendar lists worldwide scheduled events by day,
month and GC code.
The Facts, Nothing but the Facts
Category
Active Caches
Worldwide 2,702,181
Geocachers
over 6 million Worldwide
Cache rankings
Difficulty & Terrain 1 - 5
Difficulty: 1 / Terrain: 1
Reserved for the Handicapped
Stats
All States/All Calendar Days/ All Diff/Terr rankings Etc.
Size of caches
Micro, Small, Regular, Large and Other
Favorites
A simple way to track and share the geocaches that you
enjoy
as of 8.28.15
How Will I Know It?
Average Age
… From …
Average Age
… TO …
Equipment
As with any activity, equipment can range from basic to
upgraded.
Required:
• Access to www.geocaching.com or a geocaching map
to locate caches in the area in which you wish to hunt.
• A GPS receiver or Smart Phone to determine
coordinates.
Optional:
• Upgraded technical equipment.
• Bug spray, sturdy shoes, gloves to navigate prickly
bushes.
GeoArt
Name
Caches Cache Types
GC Code
Location
JOLA
151 Traditional
GC470VY
South Bend, IN
Cardinal
81 Puzzles
GC57T8J
Edwardsville, IL
CAGE
45 Puzzles
GC4HD36
Clinton, IA
GC36AKV
So. of Boise, ID
F-16 Thunderbird
200 Traditional,
Puzzle, Multi
Locomotive series
1,000 Traditional, Multi
GC3FA3B
So. of F-16
E.T. Highway
series (not art)
2,400 Mostly
Traditional
GC2ZK7J
No. of Las Vegas
References
What is Geocaching?
https://youtu.be/1YTqitVK-Ts
5 Containers 30 Seconds
https://youtu.be/OW9bi5_b-Wc
Geocaching 101
https://www.geocaching.com/guide/default.aspx
Glossary of terms
https://www.geocaching.com/about/glossary.aspx
YouTube Geocaching Videos Use Youtube search box and search “by Geocaching”
Events Calendar
http://www.geocaching.com/calendar
Geocaching 1-2-3
• A geocacher hides a container at specific coordinates
with a logbook and swag.
• Cache is logged at www.geocaching.com with name,
coordinates, difficulty/terrain rating, type, size and
description detailed.
• A volunteer reviews to ensure all guidelines followed
and publishes for all to see after review.
• Fellow cachers hunt for the cache. When found, they
sign the logbook and record their find (or DNF) and
comments on adventure at www.geocaching.com.
The Basics
Task
Where to go
Become a basic member [free]
https://www.geocaching.com/account/register
Search your zip code [60187]
https://www.geocaching.com/
click magnifying glass, click “Map the Results”
………. or …………
Use the free Geocaching App
on your Smart phone
Open app search for [60187]
Tap the magnifying glass
Look for golf n’ popcorn
GC3V17C
Adjust map North of Roosevelt, East of Main St near
Peoples Resource Center
A puzzle we will solve
And hunt for together
Today’s Puzzle Cache
The Clue
Let’s go find a cache!