What is it?What is it? Geocaching is an entertaining adventure type game for GPS users. Geocaching is an entertaining adventure type game for GPS users.

Participating in a cache hunt is a good way to take advantage of the Participating in a cache hunt is a good way to take advantage of the wonderful features and capability of a GPS unit, while having fun at wonderful features and capability of a GPS unit, while having fun at the same time.the same time.

The basic idea is to have individuals or organizations set up caches The basic idea is to have individuals or organizations set up caches all over the world and share the locations of these caches on the all over the world and share the locations of these caches on the internet. internet.

GPS users can then use the location coordinates to find the caches. GPS users can then use the location coordinates to find the caches. Once found, a cache may provide the visitor with a wide variety of Once found, a cache may provide the visitor with a wide variety of rewards. All the visitor is asked to do if they take something from the rewards. All the visitor is asked to do if they take something from the cache; they should try to leave something for the cache.cache; they should try to leave something for the cache.

You pronounce Geo-caching, like You pronounce Geo-caching, like ‘cashing’‘cashing’ a check. a check.

What is Geocaching?What is Geocaching?

One of the fastest growing “new” sports.One of the fastest growing “new” sports.

Has participants in many countries Has participants in many countries outside of the US and Canada.outside of the US and Canada.

Is a modern day active treasure hunting Is a modern day active treasure hunting activity that allows you to use GPS – and activity that allows you to use GPS – and therefore a “global address” – to locate a therefore a “global address” – to locate a cache.cache.

Rules of GeocachingRules of Geocaching What are the rules in Geocaching?What are the rules in Geocaching?

1.Geocaching is a relatively new phenomenon. Therefore, 1.Geocaching is a relatively new phenomenon. Therefore, the rules are very simple:the rules are very simple:

2. First you must find the cache, using the coordinates in 2. First you must find the cache, using the coordinates in your GPSyour GPS

3. You take something from the cache 3. You take something from the cache 4. You leave something in the cache 4. You leave something in the cache 5. You log your visit by writing in the logbook in the cache5. You log your visit by writing in the logbook in the cache6. Where you place your cache is up to you. (there are 6. Where you place your cache is up to you. (there are

some exceptions- website has to approve your cache)some exceptions- website has to approve your cache)

So are there rules for So are there rules for Geocaching?Geocaching?

Yes, there are:Yes, there are:

1. Take something from the cache 1. Take something from the cache 2. Leave something in the cache 2. Leave something in the cache 3. Write about it in the logbook3. Write about it in the logbook 4. Do not move the cache4. Do not move the cache

What is in it?What is in it? What is usually in a cache?What is usually in a cache?

A cache can come in many forms but the first item should always be the A cache can come in many forms but the first item should always be the logbook. In its simplest form a cache can be just a logbook and nothing else. logbook. In its simplest form a cache can be just a logbook and nothing else. The logbook contains information from the founder of the cache and notes from The logbook contains information from the founder of the cache and notes from the cache's visitors. The logbook can contain much valuable, rewarding, and the cache's visitors. The logbook can contain much valuable, rewarding, and entertaining information. A logbook might contain information about nearby entertaining information. A logbook might contain information about nearby attractions, coordinates to other unpublished caches, and even jokes written by attractions, coordinates to other unpublished caches, and even jokes written by visitors. If you get some information from a logbook you should give some visitors. If you get some information from a logbook you should give some back. At the very least you can leave the date and time you visited the cache. back. At the very least you can leave the date and time you visited the cache.

Larger caches may consist of a waterproof plastic bucket placed tastefully Larger caches may consist of a waterproof plastic bucket placed tastefully within the local terrain. The bucket will contain the logbook and any number of within the local terrain. The bucket will contain the logbook and any number of more or less valuable items. These items turn the cache into a true treasure more or less valuable items. These items turn the cache into a true treasure hunt. You never know what the founder or other visitors of the cache may have hunt. You never know what the founder or other visitors of the cache may have left there for you to enjoy. Remember, if you take something, its only fair for left there for you to enjoy. Remember, if you take something, its only fair for you to leave something in return. Items in a bucket cache could be: Maps, you to leave something in return. Items in a bucket cache could be: Maps, books, software, hardware, CD's, videos, pictures, money, jewelry, tickets, books, software, hardware, CD's, videos, pictures, money, jewelry, tickets, antiques, tools, games, etc. It is recommended that items in a bucket cache be antiques, tools, games, etc. It is recommended that items in a bucket cache be individually packaged in a clear zipped plastic bag to protect them.individually packaged in a clear zipped plastic bag to protect them.

Example of what is in a Cache:Example of what is in a Cache:

Where do I find one?Where do I find one? Where are caches found?Where are caches found?

The location of a cache can be very entertaining. The location of a cache can be very entertaining. As many say it is all about: Location, Location, Location! As many say it is all about: Location, Location, Location! The location of a cache can demonstrate the founder's The location of a cache can demonstrate the founder's

skill and possibly even their daring personalities. skill and possibly even their daring personalities. For example a cache located on the side of a rocky cliff For example a cache located on the side of a rocky cliff

accessible only by rock climbing equipment may be hard accessible only by rock climbing equipment may be hard to find. An underwater cache may only be accessed by to find. An underwater cache may only be accessed by scuba. scuba.

Other caches may require long difficult hiking, Other caches may require long difficult hiking, orienteering, and special equipment to get to. orienteering, and special equipment to get to.

Caches may be located in cities both above and below Caches may be located in cities both above and below ground, inside and outside buildings. ground, inside and outside buildings.

Where do I find one?Where do I find one? The skillful placement of a small logbook in an urban The skillful placement of a small logbook in an urban

environment may be quite challenging to find even with environment may be quite challenging to find even with the accuracy of a GPS.the accuracy of a GPS.

That little logbook may have a hundred dollar bill in it or That little logbook may have a hundred dollar bill in it or a map to greater treasure. It could even contain clues or a map to greater treasure. It could even contain clues or riddles to solve that may lead to other caches. riddles to solve that may lead to other caches.

Rich people could have fun with their money by making Rich people could have fun with their money by making lucrative caches that could be better than winning the lucrative caches that could be better than winning the lottery when you find it. Just hope that the person that lottery when you find it. Just hope that the person that found the cache just before you left a real big prize! found the cache just before you left a real big prize!

http://www.5min.com/Video/How-To-go-Geocaching-26646609

What do I need to start a What do I need to start a Geocache?Geocache?

Container(s) with a lid – usually Container(s) with a lid – usually plastic and waterproofplastic and waterproof

At least one GPS deviceAt least one GPS device

Something to put in the cacheSomething to put in the cache

Versions of Geocaching to use Versions of Geocaching to use in the Classroomin the Classroom

Scavenger Hunt – students take a sealed Scavenger Hunt – students take a sealed clue from each cache and bring back to a clue from each cache and bring back to a predetermined location to open and solve predetermined location to open and solve a riddle or mysterya riddle or mystery

Content Specific Caches – each cache has Content Specific Caches – each cache has an activity that deals with one particular an activity that deals with one particular subject area (ex. – each cache has a math subject area (ex. – each cache has a math problem that students must solve)problem that students must solve)

Classroom, cont.Classroom, cont.

Interdisciplinary Cache – each cache has Interdisciplinary Cache – each cache has information or an activity from a different information or an activity from a different subject subject areasubject subject area

Holiday Themed Cache – find Easter Eggs Holiday Themed Cache – find Easter Eggs or Halloween candy!or Halloween candy!

Science/Social Studies Cache – each Science/Social Studies Cache – each “cache” is actually a tree, plant species “cache” is actually a tree, plant species (or something similar), or landmark that (or something similar), or landmark that students must identifystudents must identify

http://www.geocachingvideoadventures.com/Geocache%20Video%20Tips.html

Just Remember…Just Remember…

Take Something (may be physical or a Take Something (may be physical or a “fact”)“fact”)

Leave Something (usually)Leave Something (usually)

Do not move the cache!Do not move the cache!

http://www.authorstream.com/presentation/emel063-http://www.authorstream.com/presentation/emel063-3803-geocaching-geocache-multimedia-project-3803-geocaching-geocache-multimedia-project-education-ppt-powerpoint/education-ppt-powerpoint/

Let’s Visit Geocaching - The Official Let’s Visit Geocaching - The Official Website!Website!

Follow this link: Follow this link: http://www.geocaching.comhttp://www.geocaching.com

Registration is free! Your students or Registration is free! Your students or yourself can sign up. This is what we will yourself can sign up. This is what we will do today!do today!

How Do I find out More?How Do I find out More?

Geocaching.comGeocaching.comWhere do I go?Where do I go?

www.geocaching.comwww.geocaching.com

Sign up for AccountSign up for Account

Sign up!Sign up!

Search for Geocaches!Search for Geocaches!

Great Resource Sites for EducatorsGreat Resource Sites for Educators

Manitoba Education Website:Manitoba Education Website: http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/cur/gis/http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/cur/gis/

index.html (this site has useful lesson index.html (this site has useful lesson plans and ideas)plans and ideas)

ESRI Canada:ESRI Canada: http://www.esricanada.com (this site has http://www.esricanada.com (this site has

useful lesson plans and includes tutorials useful lesson plans and includes tutorials for GIS software such as ArcView GIS)for GIS software such as ArcView GIS)

My Contact InformationMy Contact Information

Whitney StoneWhitney Stone

Tanners Crossing Tanners Crossing SchoolSchool

Email: Email: wstone@rrsd.mb.cawstone@rrsd.mb.ca

If you need any help or If you need any help or ideas please email ideas please email

me!me!