Geocaching

1. An introduction to Geocaching, the high-tech treasure-hunting game. Geocaching

2. What is Geocaching? • An adventure game for gps users. • Individuals and organizations set up caches all over the world and share the locations of these caches on the internet. • Cachers then use the location coordinates to find the caches.

3. History of Geocaching • The word Geocaching comes from GEO (geography) and CACHING (hiding a cache) • Cache is pronounced like ‘cash’

4. History of Geocaching • In computer terms, a cache is information stored in memory to make it faster to retrieve • In hiking/camping the term is used as a hiding place for concealing and preserving provisions.

5. History of Geocaching- the FIRST geocache • On May 3, 2000, Dave Ulmer, a computer consultant, wanted to test the accuracy of his GPS by hiding a cache – a five gallon bucket - in the woods near Beavercreek, Oregon.

6. History of Geocaching- the FIRST geocache • He called it the "Great American GPS Stash Hunt" and posted it in an internet GPS users' group.

7. History of Geocaching- the FIRST geocache • The finder would then have to locate the container with only the use of his or her GPS receiver.

8. History of Geocaching- the FIRST geocache • The rules for the finder were simple: "Take some stuff, leave some stuff."

9. Founder of the First Geocache Dave Ulmer Dave with original stash tribute plaque Image from: www.groundspeak.com

10. What exactly is a GPS Receiver? • A GPS receiver is an electronic device that can determine your approximate location (within around 6-20 feet) on the planet.

11. What exactly is a GPS Receiver? • Many cell phones have GPS receivers and can be used with Geocaching applications.

12. What exactly is a GPS Receiver? • Coordinates are normally given in Longitude and Latitude by using the GPS satellites. You can use the unit to navigate from your current location to another location.

13. How does GPS Work? • The (GPS) is actually a constellation of 27 Earth-orbiting satellites (24 in operation and three extras in case one fails).

14. How does GPS Work? • The U.S. military developed this satellite network as a military navigation system, but soon opened it up to everybody else.

15. How does GPS Work? • Each of these 3,000- to 4,000-pound solar-powered satellites circles the globe at about 12,000 miles (19,300 km), making two complete rotations every day. The orbits are arranged so that at any time, anywhere on Earth, there are at least four satellites "visible" in the sky.

16. What is a Cache? • A cache can come in many forms: a box, waterproof container, ammo can, etc. • Some people put in trinkets, money, disposable cameras, and almost all put in a log book to record your name! • No drugs, alcohol, food or weapons should be in a cache.

17. How do I find a cache? • You can join several free geocaching clubs to find caches in your area, such as www.geocaching.com • From this site, you can print out the coordinates for the cache and get ideas of where it might be. • You will then use your GPS receiver to follow the coordinates (longitude and latitude) to the approximate area. • With a paid subscription, you can download coordinates to your GPS electronically.

18. Tips! • Make sure you are with a buddy, never go alone • Some of the areas might be muddy, hilly, etc. Dress appropriately. • Bring water or food if you head to a remote location. • Always tell someone where you are! • Bring extra batteries for your GPS receiver. • Bring topo maps to help pinpoint the area.

19. What do I do when I find a cache? • If you take something from the cache, be sure to leave something in the cache • Sign the logbook • Replace the cache in its proper location • Log missing or damaged caches for the cache owner

20. Geocache Jargon • CITO-Cache In Trash Out - When out geocaching, take a bag with you and pick up trash along the way! • Datum-A datum is something used as a basis for calculating and measuring. In the case of GPS, datums are different calculations for determining longitude and latitude for a given location. • Muggle-A non-geocacher. Based on "Muggle" from the Harry Potter series, which is a non-magical person. Usually this term is used after a non-geocacher looks puzzled at a geocacher making circles with their GPS receiver, or when a non-geocacher accidentally finds a cache. Muggles are mostly harmless. .

21. Geocache Jargon • Hitchhiker-A hitchhiker is an item that is placed in a cache, and has instructions to travel to other caches. • Spoiler -A spoiler is information that can give details away and ruin the experience of something. • TFTC-Thanks for the cache! • TNLN -Took Nothing. Left Nothing • Travel Bug -A Travel Bug is a hitchiker • Waypoint-Waypoints are named coordinates representing points on the surface of the Earth.

22. Geocache Jargon • FTF – First To Find a geocache after it’s been hidden • Micro- A small cache container, usually a film canister or pill bottle. • Nano- Smaller than a micro, usually magnetic • GZ –Ground Zero, the location of the coordinates. • DNF- Did Not Find, a geocaching.com log that can serve to notify the owner that the cache is missing. • P&G- Park and Grab, indicates an easy-to-find cache. • LPC – Light Post Cache, a common P&G cache, usually hidden under the base cover of a light post in a commercial area

23. Geocaching Clubs on the Net • www.geocaching.com • www.terrecaching.com • www.navicache.com

24. So what are you waiting for? Let’s go Geocaching!

25. Credits • www.geocaching.com • http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gps.htm • www.destreaming.com