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I presented this program at Reading Public Library on July 18, 2007, about the origins of geocaching, how to get started, and the library's very own geocaches. Enjoy!
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What is Geocaching?What is Geocaching?Andrea Mercado
Reference & Techie LibrarianReading Public Library
:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html
2
nature + tech• Hidden caches (containers of
stuff) all over the world
• Longitude and latitude coordinates
• GPS (Global Positioning System) devices
• Tracking site on the web
:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html
3
How did it start?
• May 1, 2000: government makes GPS signals available to public
• May 3, 2000: someone hid a ‘cache’ in Oregon. It was visited twice within 3 days and logged in the log book once.
:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html
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Then what?
• Mike Teague, first geocache finder, built a web page to document the caches.
• Jeremy Irish, Geocaching.com creator, named it ‘Geocaching’.
• September 6, 2000: the official torch was passed to Jeremy.
• Geocaching is now in all 50 states and in over 200 countries.
:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html
5
OK, enough history
:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html
6
How do I get started?
• Sign up for a free account on Geocaching.com
• Look up caches (by ZIP code, state, country, Google Maps)
• Pick a cache (or two)• Enter coordinates into GPS• Get out and go!
:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html
7
Sample geocache page
“Get a Clue” cache - GCWVX8 by RPLKids (Summer 2006)
:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html
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What’s a GPS?
• a.k.a. GPSr (r=receiver)• Tells you where you are• Tracks where you go• Stores geocache
coordinates and/or prefab maps
• DOESN’T TELL ANYONE ELSE WHERE YOU ARE
:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html
9
What should I take with me?
The basics include:• Cache page printout• GPS (w/coords punched in)• Trinkets for the cache• Water & snacks!Let’s have a look in my
geocache bag…
:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html
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Printable cache page
On cache page, click on: Make this page print-friendly (no logs)
:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html
11
Trinkets
Some items obtained from other caches, some we added ourselves.
:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html
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Simple Glovebox Kit
A basic kit of handy stuff
mini CITO kit(gloves+bag)
bug block
trinkets
extra paper: just in case the log is full, or to help figure out clues
hand wipes
:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html
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What will I find?
travel bugstravel bugs
microcachemicrocache standard cachestandard cache
large cachelarge cache
ammo boxammo box
:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html
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Travel Bugs
Bugs travel from cache to cache. See http://www.geocaching.com/track/travelbugfaq.aspx.
Bugs tags outlined in orange
:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html
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What do I do?
1. Take something from the cache.
2. Leave something in the cache.
3. Write about it in the logbook.
Be sure to log your visit at Geocaching.com.
:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html
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CITO
• Cache In Trash Out• a.k.a., CITO
(see-toe)• Help keep nature clean
while you geocache• My CITO kit
http://www.CacheInTrashOut.org/
:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html
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Basic CITO Kit
Reuse a grocery bag, add gloves
Make CITO kits portable in a snack-sized zip bag, which you can leave in a cache as a “trinket”
:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html
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Find the *new*new* RPL cache!Cache name: Magic! (GC14EHA)
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GC14EHA
:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html
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What’s inside
:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html
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Don’t forget to sign in!
:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html
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Geocaching Resources
• Geocaching.com: http://www.geocaching.com
• Cache in Trash Out: http://www.cacheintrashout.com
• Buying a GPS: http://www.geocaching.com/about/buying.aspx
• Geocaching pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/geocaching/
:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html
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Questions?
Andrea MercadoReference & Techie LibrarianReading Public [email protected]
Thanks for coming!Thanks for coming!
See you on the hunt!See you on the hunt!