GeocachingGeocachingBy Samantha RueBy Samantha Rue

Monday, December 6, Monday, December 6, 20102010

Technology meets the outdoorsTechnology meets the outdoors

What is Geocaching?What is Geocaching?

An outdoor scavenger hunt for hidden An outdoor scavenger hunt for hidden containers called “geocaches”containers called “geocaches”

A fun hobby for people of all agesA fun hobby for people of all ages

A way to promote community and A way to promote community and environmental awarenessenvironmental awareness

Motivation to spend time outdoorsMotivation to spend time outdoors

EquipmentEquipment

Computer with Internet Computer with Internet accessaccess

Handheld GPS with USB Handheld GPS with USB cable or GPS enabled cable or GPS enabled cell phone with cell phone with Groundspeak Groundspeak application installedapplication installed

Extra batteries for GPSExtra batteries for GPS

PenPen

Equipment (cont.)Equipment (cont.)

Insect repellant Insect repellant

Pair of tweezersPair of tweezers

Mode of transportationMode 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 exploreDesire to be outdoors and explore

Register for Register for MembershipMembership

1.1. Open your internet browser, type Open your internet browser, type http://www.geocaching.com into the address bar, into the address bar, and then press ENTER.and then press ENTER.

2.2. Click the blue Click the blue Create a Membership Create a Membership link in the link in the upper right-hand corner of the screen, then on the upper right-hand corner of the screen, then on the following page click the following page click the Get a Basic MembershipGet a Basic Membership button.button.

3.3. Create a username and password and enter your Create a username and password and enter your first and last name, as well as a valid email address. first and last name, as well as a valid email address.

4.4. Click Click Create My Account.Create My Account.

Register for Membership Register for Membership (cont.)(cont.)

5.5. Open your email account, and then open the Open your email account, and then open the email you received from Groundspeak.email you received from Groundspeak.

6.6. Click the validation link provided in the Click the validation link provided in the email. email.

7.7. Log in using your username and password.Log in using your username and password.NoteNote: Groundspeak provides a : Groundspeak provides a Premium Premium MembershipMembership option for a payment of $30 a option for a payment of $30 a year or $10 for three months; however, a year or $10 for three months; however, a Basic Membership Basic Membership is free and is sufficient is free and is sufficient for new geocachers.for new geocachers.

Choose a Cache to SeekChoose a Cache to Seek

1.1. Click the Click the Hide and Seek a CacheHide and Seek a Cache link that link that is located on the left side of the screen.is located on the left side of the screen.

2.2. Enter your zip code in the box provided Enter your zip code in the box provided under under Seek a CacheSeek a Cache, then click , then click GoGo. You will . You will then see a list of local geocache locations.then see a list of local geocache locations.

3.3. Click on the name of one of the caches to Click on the name of one of the caches to read about it and then decide whether or not read about it and then decide whether or not you would like to attempt to locate it.you would like to attempt to locate it.

Choose a Cache to Seek Choose a Cache to Seek (cont.)(cont.)

TraditionalCache

Multi-cache

Event MysteryCache

Choose a Cache to Seek Choose a Cache to Seek (cont.)(cont.)

Small - Small - sandwich-sandwich-sizedsized

Micro – Micro – film canister or film canister or smallersmaller

Large - Large - 5 gallon bucket or 5 gallon bucket or largerlarger

Regular - Regular - size of a size of a shoeboxshoebox

Download location to Download location to GPSGPS

1.1. Click the Click the Send to GPS Send to GPS button under button under DownloadDownload. .

2.2. Click the tab on the pop-up Click the tab on the pop-up Send to Send to GPS GPS box that displays the brand name box that displays the brand name of your GPS device (DeLorme, of your GPS device (DeLorme, Magellan, or Garmin).Magellan, or Garmin).

3.3. Connect your GPS to your computer Connect your GPS to your computer using its USB cable.using its USB cable.

Download location to GPS Download location to GPS (cont.)(cont.)

NoteNote: You may see a message telling you : You may see a message telling you that you do not have a required plug-in, to that you do not have a required plug-in, to resolve this, click the download button to resolve this, click the download button to download the communication softwaredownload the communication software

4.4. Click the Click the Send to Send to button when your button when your GPS has been recognized by the GPS has been recognized by the computer.computer.

5.5. Disconnect your GPS from your Disconnect your GPS from your computer.computer.

Depart on your Depart on your AdventureAdventure

Use a mode of transportation Use a mode of transportation to get to the area where the to get to the area where the cache is located. cache is located.

WarningWarning: Accidents can happen : Accidents can happen when exploring unfamiliar locations, when exploring unfamiliar locations, so before you depart, it is a good idea so before you depart, it is a good idea to tell someone where you are going to tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return. and when you plan to return.

Use GPS to Locate the Use GPS to Locate the GeocacheGeocache

1.1. Mark your starting point (your car for Mark your starting point (your car for example) as a waypoint using your GPS.example) as a waypoint using your GPS.

2.2. Use the GPS to guide you toward the Use the GPS to guide you toward the cache. Some systems will start beeping cache. Some systems will start beeping when you come within a certain when you come within a certain proximity of the cache.proximity of the cache.

3.3. Stop walking and look in the area for Stop walking and look in the area for possible hiding places (under a well possible hiding places (under a well placed rock).placed rock).

Use GPS to Locate the Geocache Use GPS to Locate the Geocache (cont.)(cont.)

CautionCaution: “Muggles” are non-geocachers : “Muggles” are non-geocachers that could potentially raid the cache; that could potentially raid the cache; when searching in a public area be when searching in a public area be careful to not attract too much careful to not attract too much attention.attention.

Open the CacheOpen the Cache

1.1. Open the container.Open the container.

2.2. Sign the logbook with your username Sign the logbook with your username and the date.and the date.

3.3. Trade any item within the cache with Trade any item within the cache with the “swag” that you brought with you.the “swag” that you brought with you.

Return the CacheReturn the Cache

1.1. Place everything back in the cache, Place everything back in the cache, and then secure the lid.and then secure the lid.

2.2. Put the cache back where you found it Put the cache back where you found it and make sure to replace anything and make sure to replace anything that was used to camouflage it.that was used to camouflage it.

3.3. Leave the area.Leave the area.

Log your visit onlineLog your visit online

1.1. Open your internet browser, type Open your internet browser, type http://www.geocaching.com in the address in the address bar, and then press ENTER.bar, and then press ENTER.

2.2. Type your zip code in the box provided under Type your zip code in the box provided under Search for GeocachesSearch for Geocaches, then click , then click GoGo. .

3.3. Click on the name of the cache that you Click on the name of the cache that you visited, then click the visited, then click the Log your visitLog your visit link link under under Navigation.Navigation.

Log your visit online Log your visit online (cont.)(cont.)

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

Log your visit online Log your visit online (cont.)(cont.)

4.4. Choose the type of log you will leave and then Choose the type of log you will leave and then type a short comment about your trip in the type a short comment about your trip in the CommentsComments box. box.

5.5. Click Click Submit Log EntrySubmit Log Entry to complete your post. to complete your post.

ConclusionConclusion

You can now have fun finding caches You can now have fun finding caches within your own community and within your own community and around the world.around the world.

Feel free to invite friends or family Feel free to invite friends or family members along with you on your next members along with you on your next hunt.hunt.

QuestionsQuestions

Sources/Photo CreditsSources/Photo Credits

http://www.geocaching.comhttp://www.geocaching.com

http://shop.groundspeak.comhttp://shop.groundspeak.com