The sport where YOU are the search engineTM Welcome to GEOCACHING 101! Intro self, then: How did people hear about it? Have you visited the geocaching.com website? How many have done Geocaching? How many have a GPS? The sport where YOU are the search engineTM www.iowageocachers.org www.geocaching.com The Groundspeak Geocaching Logo is a trademark of Groundspeak, Inc. (Used with permission)

GEOCACHING 101 What is Geocaching? Where are the Geocaches? Who Geocaches, and why? What is a GPS? …and how does it work? Looking up a Geocache. Marking a Waypoint. Let’s go GEOCACHING! Hopefully following this slideshow you’ll be able to answer these questions. You should also had a couple of pages to take home with you. Inganwnis invite, all are welcome new learners and old pros. $5 fee. Creed, written by geocachers as a ethics/behavioral code for geocaching. Geocacher-U pamphlet, short explanatory piece. If your trying to explain geocaching to someone else sometime, its good tool. Website list- list of URLs to websites that may be helpful to you to check out later. Waypoint/map, to be used after were done with the indoor part. Actual field experience, open to all, but is not required. Should be a couple experienced geocachers on hand to help.

What is Geocaching? Geocaching is an entertaining outdoor adventure game for GPS users of all ages. The basic idea is to set up caches (hidden boxes) all over the world and share the locations (Latitude/ Longitude) of these caches on the internet. Lots of people participate. The caches are rated on a scale of 1-5. Latitude – Lines run east/west around the globe but the angles are measured in North/South 90 degrees Longitude – Lines run North/South but the angles are East/West 180 degrees

What is Geocaching? GPS users can then use the coordinates to find the caches. Once found, the visitor may take something from the cache, leave something (of equal value), and sign the logbook. The ‘find’ is then logged onto the Internet website where statistics about found and hidden caches are maintained. Logs often signed, TNLN – Took Nothing, Left Nothing Leave something of equal or greater value than what you take. Clean out the cache if it’s messy, and put back where you found it. Report to the cache owner, when you log your find, what condition the cache is in.

Types of Geocaches Traditional Multi-Caches Event Virtual* Webcam* Earthcache Letterbox Hybrids Location-less (Reverse)* CITO Cache In / Trash Out Event Unknown (Mystery) Project APE * Indicates a type of geocache that is no longer permitted to be placed, but existing caches of the type are “grandfathered” into the system.

Cache Containers Ammo Cans Tupperware 35mm Film Cans Bison Tubes Magnetic Key Holders Pill Containers Lock ‘N Lock Containers “Blinkies”

Finding a Geocache Be inconspicuous in public places. Search carefully. Practice LNT (Leave No Trace). Sign logbook and replace cache as found, Do Not Relocate. If you trade trinkets, trade kindly. Report any problems promptly. If you take a traveler, log it and pass it on in a timely fashion. Don’t yell “I found it!” in places others may see or hear you and later vadalize the cache. LEAVE NOT TRACE, rule 2 travel on durable surfaces. Avoind leaving foot prints if possiable. GPSr are normally off 20ft or more, don’t move the cache to a ‘closer’ spot. When trading, the next person should be as happy as you were. Some people do not log finds online, you should still report problems so they can be addressed. Travelers are meant to travel, do not keep them.

Finding a Traveler Travelers are meant to travel, please do no keep them. Follow Directions given with the traveler for proper logging. Examples of travelers include “Travel Bugs” and “Geocoins”. There are many sorts of Hitch Hikers, Groundspeak’s travel bug are most popular, but there are others. Most use online websites that you have or may not have to sign up for an account with. Travel bugs and geocaching.com trackable coins use six digit numbers. These numbers are supposed to be semi secret, do not give them out.

Trading Items Do Not Place: Do Place: Guns / Knives Drugs / Alcohol Explosive / Ammo Food or Scented Items Things that freeze Use Common Sense Do Place: Toys / games Trinkets Books Travelers Signature items Camera to take picture with The first four are prohibited by geocaching.com. Food may attract animals that can chew or damage. Things that don’t store well that will freeze or be damaged by heat. You won’t find lost treasures in geocaches, most items are only a couple dollars worth. These rules apply to hiding a cache as well and trading when finding others caches. Cameras are generally left by the cache creator who will delelop and post the pictures later.

Geocaching and the Environment A primary contribution of Geocaching to the environment is CITO (Cache In Trash Out). CITO involves picking up litter in local parks and recreation areas. CITO can be a activity for an individual geocacher to do at any time or the purpose of an “Event Cache”. Many CITO Events are held during March and April close to International Cache In Trash Out Day and Earth Day. An Example of a local CITO event is the Cedar Rapids CITO Extravaganza. You can do this on a regular geocache. Bring a plastic bag and pick up any trash you see.

Goals of CITO Actively promote the good stewardship of park land. Assist in the maintenance of parks & trail systems. Increase public awareness of Geocaching.

Where are the Geocaches? Popular areas are around larger cities. Des Moines / Ames, IC/CR/W’loo, Quad Cities.

Where are the Geocaches? Most caches in world in US. Dense areas are New Jersey, Washington DC, and southern California.

Where are the Geocaches? The dots are way too big to pick out fine details, but you can see where geocaching is very popular, and where it isn’t. Popular in US, Canada, UK US has over half of word’s caches. There is estimated to be over 462,294 active caches worldwide. There are currently over 469,000 active caches worldwide!

Who Geocaches? People that are: Young Old Those that like the Outdoors Married Single Have children Do not have children Those that like the Outdoors Those that like Puzzles Basically anyone that has a sense of adventure! Left column is ways of defining subgroups of geocachers. Very hard, because ‘gerocachers’ are a large and varied group. Right column is generally common traits among geocachers.

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 now be accurate to within as close as 6 feet. On May 3rd, Dave Ulmer hid a ‘cache’ in Oregon, listed the location on a newserve group. It was visited twice within 3 days. WAAS/DGPS Prior to removal of SA, accuracy was about 150 feet. SA restriction removal signed into law by Clinton.

How Did It Get Started? Mike Teague, the first to find Ulmers Cache, built a web page to document the ‘caches’. A few months later Jeremy Irish, the current operator of the Geocaching.com website, expanded the idea and promoted the game. On September 6th, four months after the first ‘hide’, the official torch was passed to Jeremy. Geocaching is now in all 50 states and in over 200 countries. First caches were listed on a listserv news group, like a yahoo group. Mike Teague’s site was called? Geocaching.com now maintains worlds largest geocaching database.

What is a GPS? A GPS (Global Positioning System) unit is an electronic device that can determine your approximate location (within 6-20 feet) almost anywhere on the planet. Garmin GPSmap 76S

What is a GPS? A GPS uses a system of 24* satellites to calculate your position. Only 3 are needed to calculate (triangulate) position. The GPS receiver can ‘see’ at most 12 of the 24 satellites at any one time (at ground level). Gps Satellites orbit at 12,600 miles, circle planet twice a day. Two types of antenna Patch Antennas and Quadra-helix Antennas Both work ok, etrex models have patch antenna and work best when held face up. Patch look straight up, but see less sats close to the horizon, quad-helis look sideways, can see closer to horizon but have a ‘blind spot’ directly above.

What is a GPS? Since your GPS knows the location of where each satellite in the sky, which it uses to determine distances. With these distances it computes your location. You can use the unit to navigate from your current location to another location. Downloads Almanac from the satellite. Knows which sats should be broadcasting and when, so it can time them. The delay between broadcast and reception is used to calculate distance… GPS sats broadcast a ‘radio’ signal, which should travel at light speed? Directional arrow provides, straight line navigation – you won’t know what’s ahead of you as far as obstacles go. GPS will not know the ‘path’.

What is a GPS? Some units have their own maps, built-in compasses, pressure altimeters, and even voice navigation. Don’t worry though, a GPS device doesn’t send signals, it only receives them. So . . . no one can track your location! Maps are specific to manufacturer. Individual street detail for whole country approximately $100 Topo maps available.

How do GPS devices work? Let’s say you don’t know where you are but a passerby tells you that you’re 238 miles from Cleveland. That puts you anywhere on the perimeter of a circle around Cleveland! On a 3 dimensional globe, you need four satellites, but in two dimensions, you only need three satellites.

How do GPS devices work? Another passerby stops and tells you you’re 340 miles from Boston. So not only are you on the perimeter of the circle around Cleveland, but around Boston too. There are now only two possible locations!

How do GPS devices work? Finally, someone stops and tells you that you’re 272 miles from Baltimore. You now know right where you are!

Available GPS Features 12 channel receiver Waterproof Electronic altimeter Electronic ‘compass’ Computer Interface Backlit Screen WAAS/DGPS Color screen External antenna jack Turn by turn ‘Autorouting’ Base map / Optional maps Memory size Left column are fairly common features, sometimes GPS makers come out with units that do not have a computer interface or are waterproof. Right column is features on intermediate and upper end units. Color screen is becoming more common, WAAS too. Center column is things to consider to buying new GPS, most important is what you intend to use it for! Power source Screen size Overall size/weight Intended use

How much will I pay? GPSr Unit The GPS Store GPS Now Amazon .com eTrex (Pricing as of 9/28/2007) The GPS Store GPS Now Amazon .com eTrex Basic Unit $99.95 $99.99 $93.09 eTrex Legend Intermediate Unit $149.95 $149.99 $124.41 GPSmap 60CSx Advanced Unit $449.95 $449.99 $837.99 Quest 2 $584.95 $559.95 $444.86 Just general idea for those that don’t have a gps yet. Shop around, and watch for sales and ‘package’ deals.

Looking up a Geocache Go to geocaching.com on your web browser. Click on “log in” or go to “Create an account now” if you do not already have an account.

Looking up a Geocache Once logged in, select the state or country from the drop-down menu or type in the zip code for the area you would like to search. Click the right arrow.

Looking up a Geocache Click on Map.

Looking up a Geocache Zoom, zoom… Select “Zoom In”. Click on the area of the map you wish to explore. Once zoomed in close enough to see individual caches, select “Identify” and click on the map. Click on a cache in the list to see its details.

Looking up a Geocache Enter the Coordinates for the geocache you selected into your GPS …and the hunt begins!

Looking up a Geocache …Oops!!! Make sure you read the entire cache listing, for helpful information such as parking coordinates and additional hints. Now…Let’s go Geocaching!

Marking a Waypoint When you turn on your GPS, wait for it to triangulate (find the satellites). When the GPS is ready it will indicate a 3D fix/position. You are now ready to enter the waypoint (geocache) coordinates into the GPS.

Marking a Waypoint Enter the coordinates for the geocache you have selected (this can usually be done under the “Mark” function of the GPS). Many GPS units have the ability to download coordinates directly from your computer. If parking coordinates are given for the cache, be sure to “mark” them as well.

Begin the Hunt! Your GPS will likely have two or more different ways to guide you in the direction of your cache. The compass page will be the most helpful when you are close to the geocache. When you arrive at the parking location, be sure to “mark” the coordinates on the GPS before heading down the trail (this may be useful later).

I’m Lost!!! If you get lost, don’t forget that you marked (or should have marked) your starting location before heading down the trail. Search for the waypoint you marked as your starting location, select “GO TO”, and head back to civilization! Don’t forget to take extra batteries with you! Try to think of what way you are heading, when going out... Also, you should be able to see your trek’s ‘bread crumb trail if you didn’t save a point.

What to take Geocaching? GPS…and Extra Batteries Compass / Map / Cache Information Bug Spray / Moist Wipes Tools – Knife, Mirror, String, Flashlight Trade Items Pen / Notebook Cache Maintenance Items Clothes for Changing Weather Conditions Extra Shoes Water / Food Cell Phone / Camera

Geocaching Info Websites Some GPS links How a GPS works electronics.howstuffworks.com/gps.htm/printable www.nasm.si.edu/exhibitions/gps/work.html en.wikipedia.org/wiki/gps Geocaching Info Websites www.GeoCreed.info www.Geocacher-U.com www.geocachingpolicy.org En.wikipedia.org/wiki/geocaching Local Organization www.iowageocachers.org Periodicals www.todayscacher.com www.geocachingtoday.com Cache Listing Sites www.geocaching.com www.navicache.com www.terracaching.com GPS Makers www.garmin.com www.magellangps.com/en/ www.lowrance.com/ You should have a copy of this to take home with you. These links are a collection of ones thought to be helpful. The top set are links to sites that explain GPS, Next set is to websites that have info useful to geocachers, Creed, and geocacher-U ‘s pamphlet are in this one. Then is the URL for IGO. Membership is free, feel free to stop by the site or forums. Cache listing websites, the ones with the most geocaches is Geocaching.com. The final set is the major handheld GPS makers.

Any Questions???

Let’s Go Find A GEOCACHE! If you don’t know where this is, there is a map on the on the waypoint sheet.