Geo Caching Learning Plan Assignment By: Harry

What is it? Geocaching is; – An outdoor “treasure hunting “game using GPS- enabled devices. – Participants navigate to a set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.

Caches Are Everywhere

How Do You Play? Register for free on Geocache.com Choose any geocache from the list and click on its name. Enter the coordinates of the geocache into your GPS Device. Use your GPS device to assist you in finding the hidden geocache.

An Example

How Do You Play? After you find the cache, you should; Sign the logbook and return the geocache to its original location. Share your geocaching stories and photos online

What Are The Rules? If you take something from the cache, leave something of equal or greater value. Write about your find in the cache logbook. Log your experience at PUT THE CACHE BACK WHERE YOU FOUND IT!

Variations Of The Game Traditional Cache This is the original geocache consisting of, at minimum, a logsheet. Larger containers generally include items for trade. The coordinates listed on the traditional cache page provide the geocache’s exact location.

Variations Of The Game Multi-Cache (Offset Cache) A Multi-Cache ("multiple") involves two or more locations. The final location is a physical container. Most Multi-Caches have a hint to find the second cache, The second cache has a hint to the third, and so on.

Variations Of The Game Mystery or Puzzle Caches The "catch-all" of cache types This form of geocache may involve complicated puzzles that you will first need to solve to determine the coordinates. Mystery/Puzzle Caches often become the staging ground for new and unique geocaches that do not fit in another category.

Variations Of The Game A Travel Bug Travel Bug is a trackable tag that you attach to an item. This allows you to track your item on Geocaching.com. The item becomes a hitchhiker that is carried from cache to cache and you can follow its progress online.

Choosing A GPS Unit Usually find GPS units at electronic, camping and outdoor supply stores or online Need a GPS device that allows you to enter waypoints. A “basemap” feature is highly recommended Too many features to explore, buy what you can afford but keep in mind a top of the line model is not required.

Using Smart Phones Many phones now supporting GPS chips I haven’t used one but I’ve been told “there is an App. For that”

Extra Learning This turned into a “learn your GPS unit” I bought the unit a number of years ago, never used it much I have been wanting to use my unit more for hunting and fishing, but was not confident enough This gave me an excuse to become better with my GPS unit

Off I went I picked a cache that seemed close to home Followed the coordinates to the general area Commercial GPS units are accurate to a radius of ???? I Could not find the cache! So…….

What Did I Learn I learned how to geocache I’m just not very good at it! I did become much more confident in using my GPS unit.