The Virginia 4-H Geocoin Adventure Virginia Geospatial Extension Program

Overview Introduction to Geocaching Virginia 4-H Geocoin Adventure Goal Virginia 4-H Geocoin Adventure Toolkit Summary of the Virginia 4-H Geocoin Adventure Procedures

Introduction to Geocaching 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

Geocaching Geocache examples Micro cache Example of contents Big Bolt cache (magnetic) - Micro cache from http://worldcaching.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=34&products_id=299

Geocaching Create account on www.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

Trackable Items Items that have a tracking number & can be followed via www.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

Geocoins & Travel Bugs

Virginia 4-H Geocoin Adventure Goal & Details 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).

Customized Geocoin Goal 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

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

Summary of Virginia 4-H Geocoin Adventure Procedures 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!

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