Geocaching?!?!?!

1. Geocaching?!?!?!

2. So what is Geocaching? • a high-tech treasure hunting game • played throughout the world • by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices.

3. The basic idea • to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and • then share your experiences online.

4. What’s a cache… • A container with • “stuff” • maybe a travel bug or a travel coin • A log book

5. Who does this? • People from all age groups • People with a strong sense of community • People who support for the environment.

6. What do you need? • a GPS (and extra batteries) • time – anywhere from 1 hour to many days… • sense of adventure and fun

7. Caches around Sir Guy Where do you geocache? • There are 683,342 active caches worldwide. EarthCache in Central Park, NY

8. Traditional Cache EarthCache Mystery or Puzzle Caches Multi-Cache Event Cache Cache In Trash Out Event Many Different Kinds of Geocaches

9. Why are we doing this? • Teambuilding • Physical activity – get outside • Learn a new activity

10. In your classroom… • You can use existing geocaches or create your own. • We have some examples of how you could create clues based on your course • We created a puzzle to put together as a team building activity after finding the geocaches as small groups

11. Things to consider… • Participants might not find all clues… • They might take another group’s clues… • Points difficult to get reading – good to use a few GPS units when setting them up and check one last time when actually putting out caches • The weather…

12. Let’s start at www.geocaching.com

13. Login … • Username: Voccon2009 • Password: GPS2009 • Go to HIDE & SEEK A CACHE on the left hand side of the page • Enter the Postal Code for Sir Guy: K2G 5L4 • “Map It” on the right hand side

14. Geocaches around Sir Guy • http://www.geocaching.com/map/default.aspx?lat=45.2771&lng=-75.9457

15. Click on the cache and …

16. Tour d’Ottawa (west) – a Multi-cache set on some of the bike paths of Ottawa • http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=238b8770-4ead-4298-b6e7-1ff1807a5fde

17. Once you’ve found your geocache… • At the bottom of the information check out the Cache Logs – • Read what others have found, and write what you found…

18. Your region… • Take 3 minutes to explore your region around your school. • Ask for help if you’re having trouble! • PLEASE LOG OUT!!!!

19. So How Do You Find a Geocache? • Upload base maps of the area • Download the Geocaches at your GPS website (ie. Garmin.com) • To map your Geocache, click on the one you are seeking • You can draw a path to it • You can use your compass

20. But … for today … • You’re group will be given a hard copy of a satellite image (map) of the area with the general location of the geocaches • You’ll be given the coordinates of each of the caches for this multicache • Use the GPS along with some clues to locate each cache • We’ll help you get started with your GPS unit

21. What you need to know about the GPS for today… • Hold the power switch to turn it on OUTSIDE it has to gain the satelite signals (this might take a few minutes) • Press “page” to find the screen with the latitude and longitude coordinates • Nothing fancy is needed for today

22. What to bring? • Warm clothes – mitts might be good • Outdoor footwear for walking (you’ll be walking on snow etc.) • GPS unit – handle with care please! • Reading glasses if you need them… • Sense of humour

23. How it should work… • We’ll give your group an envelope • Find your first “geocache” – make sure it has your group’s letter on it – take the whole cache (bag and all) • Continue to your 2nd using the clue from the 1st geocache (make sure you get your group’s cache) • If you are struggling – don’t give up – come see us at the front doors • The idea is to have fun!

24. Time to Begin… … the Geocaching Experience