1 Geocaching ! The GPS sport Geocaching.com

2 Introduction  What is geocaching?  Who are the geocachers?  What are the rules and who enforces them?  What are other parks doing?  How can you prepare for geocaching?

3 What is geocaching?  Pronounced GeoCashing  Low-impact outdoor activity for GPS users of all ages  GPS = Global Positioning System

4 Global Positioning System  GPS is a system of 27 satellites (24 active, 3 reserve) to calculate a position anywhere on earth.  Satellites transmit their current position down to Earth via high frequency radio waves.

5 Global Positioning System

6 GPS receivers  Receives signals from GPS satellites.  Determines latitude and longitude of your current position on the Earth's surface.  Hand held or mobile  $100 to $1000

7 GPS receivers Garmin Magellan

8 GPS Receivers  Internet  Best Buy  Wal Mart  REI  Circuit City

9 GPS receivers  Location can be displayed on a map background  Can zoom in or out  Tracks position in real time  Displays geocache location

10 GPS receivers  Display of distance, bearing and ETA to a selected waypoint  Speed  Some have information about restaurants, gasoline, motels entertainment, shopping, points of interest & all addresses

11 Other GPS receiver features  Determining satellite signal strength and margin of error  Marking waypoints (latitude and longitude coordinates)  Keeping a graphical track of your journey  Displaying street and topographical maps  Automatic route creation and traversal  Electronic compass  Barometric pressure altimeter

12 Uses for GPS receivers Recreational HHHHiking and backpacking CCCCanoeing and marine navigation HHHHunting and fishing BBBBird watching EEEExercise progress tracking TTTTraveling via car, motorcycle, bicycle GGGGeocaching

13 Uses for GPS receivers Commercial  Physical location of facilities  Cell phone location  Tracking criminals, suspects  Tracking employees, vehicles  Routing  Surveying  Military  Search & rescue

14 What is geocaching?  Outdoor adventure game for GPS users of all ages.  The basic idea is to set up caches (hidden containers) and share the locations (latitude/longitude) of these caches on the internet.

15 What is geocaching?  GPS users can then use the coordinates to find the caches.  The visitor may take something from the cache, leave something, and/or sign the logbook.  The “find” is then logged onto the Internet website where statistics about found and hidden caches are maintained.

16 What’s the point?  It may sound simple, but many caches are well hidden.  Many require searching and experience to find.  Only a few geocaches are accidentally found by non-geocachers.

17 What’s the point?  Sometimes just getting to the cache area can be a big part of the adventure.  It's one thing to see the latitude and longitude plotted on a map, but it can be quite a task to figure out how to get from here to there.  The adventure, exercise, new places, challenge, competition, exploration

18 What’s the point? Geocaching can be thought of in two parts:  The journey to reach the cache area.  The challenge of actually finding the cache container. Both can be equally rewarding.

19 Misconceptions about geocaching  FACT: Geocaches are not allowed to be buried in the ground.  Can be covered with leaves, rocks, sticks, grass or other materials “Geocaches are buried.”

20 Misconceptions about geocaching  FACT: Geocaches are not litter or abandoned property.  Owner must maintain and retrieve cache “Geocaches are litter or abandoned property.”

21 Misconceptions about geocaching  FACT: Geocaching foot traffic is similar to hiking, trail walking, or bird watching.  Most caches are placed near trails. “Geocaching will damage the land.”

22 How Did It Get Started?  On May 1, 2000, the GPS signal degradation called Select Availability (SA) was removed.  The change allowed GPS units owned by civilians to be more accurate – to within 20 feet or better.  On May 3rd, 2000 Dave Ulmer hid a cache in Oregon and posted the coordinates on the Internet. It became the first geocache.

23 How Did It Get Started?  Jeremy Irish, the owner of the Geocaching.com website, expanded the idea and named it “Geocaching”.  Geocaching is now in all 50 states and more than 200 countries.  Geocaching.com is by far the #1 website for geocachers.

24 Worldwide geocaches Over 300,000 geocaches worldwide

25 U.S. geocaches Over 250,000 geocaches in the US

26 North Carolina geocaches Over 2700 geocaches in NC

27 Raleigh/Durham caches  Over 700 within 40 miles of Raleigh  Over 50 in Alamance County  Most County and City Parks have at least one cache

28 Who are the geocachers?

29 Who are the geocachers?

30 Geocache containers  A weather-resistant container such as Tupperware, Rubbermaid, or surplus ammo box  Micro containers can be anything small just big enough for a logsheet

31 Geocache containers  Usually a weather- resistant container such as Tupperware, Rubbermaid, or surplus ammo box

32 What’s in a cache?  Logbook  Trinkets to trade  Examples: maps, books, software, hardware, CDs, videos, pictures, coins, tools, games, etc.  Information sheet that explains the container and geocaching, as well as contact information.  Disposable camera (optional)

33 What’s in a cache?

34 What are the rules? Cache placement  No caches on land maintained by the U.S. National Park Service or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (National Wildlife Refuges)  No caches that are buried.  No caches placed on archaeological or historical sites.  Caches in North Carolina State Parks require a fee & approval

35 What are the rules?  No caches close to active railroad tracks. 150 feet minimum.  No caches on military installations.  No caches near or under highway bridges, dams, government buildings, or airports.  No caches on school property without permission.  No caches near cemeteries

36 What are the rules? Cache placement  No “vacation caches”  No cache closer than 0.1 mile (528 feet) to an existing cache.  Cacher owner must obtain permission from park manager, if required.

37 What are the rules? Cache contents  No food  No weapons (knives, ammunition, explosives)  No drugs or alcohol  No adult materials  No solicitations (business, religious, political)

38 Who enforces the rules?  Geocaching.com  Controls listing of geocaches worldwide on its website.  Caches are approved by volunteer reviewers.  Reviewers do not visit the geocache in person as part of the approval process.  Reviewers view the online description, coordinates, topo maps, proximity to other caches, compliance with known park rules.

39 Who enforces the rules?  One volunteer reviewer reviews all new listed geocaches in North Carolina  Visitors to caches report problems or inconsistencies  Geocaching.com can archive a problem cache at any time

40 North Carolina Geocachers Association   Non-profit group  300 registered members  We encourage geocachers to cooperate with park managers.  Plan and host geocaching events  No officials at this time

41 Variations on the game  Traditional caches  Micro caches  Multi-caches / Offset caches  Virtual caches  Event caches  CITO events  Travel bugs

42 Typical travel bug map

43 Cache In / Trash Out CITO  While searching for a cache, geocachers are encouraged to pick up and tote out trash they find along the way.  Many geocachers put trash bags in their caches so other geocachers can use them to pick up trash in the area.  Geocaching organizations often host large CITO events for picking up trash in an area.

44 Cache In / Trash Out CITO

45 Cache In / Trash Out CITO

46 What are other parks doing?  Most local parks in North Carolina either allow geocaching or have no official policy.  NC State Parks fee & permission  National parks, NWRs not allowed

47 What are other parks doing? NC State Parks policy highlights  Written authorization required.  Location may be used for up to 1 year.  Reserves the right to terminate approval for placement of a geocache container for any reason at any time.  $35 fee

48 Geocaching benefits for land managers  Increases number of park visitors.  Increases purchase of user fees.  Park-friendly activity - geocachers respect the land and facilities.  Wholesome family activity - teaches kids a love for the outdoors.  “Cache In/Trash Out” initiative.

49 Geocaching benefits  Tourism and visitors to the area  Exposure of many parts of the community  Highlights historic or scenic areas  Cooperation with local officials

50 How can you prepare for geocaching?  Decide if you want or need a geocaching policy.  Post your policy on-line. Include permit form and park contact information.  Let the local geocachers know so your policy can publicized and help enforce it.  Questions? Ask the local geocachers– we will be glad to help.

51 Let the geocachers help you  Learn more about geocaching at: (the worldwide resource for geocaching).  When a geocacher asks permission to place a geocache in your park, please be open to the request.

52 Let the local geocachers help you  If you would like us to inform our members about your park’s policy on geocaching, let us know.  If your park does not have a geocaching policy, we would be happy to work with you to develop a draft policy.  Your park’s geocaching policy will published so all geocachers can be better informed.

53 Thank you!