Geocaching

From Eduwiki

What is Geocaching?

Informal Definition of Geocaching - Using billions of dollars in military satellites to hunt Tupperware hidden in the woods.

Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunt that uses GPS to locate items (caches) that have been hidden by fellow players. It began in May, 2000 when the United States removed the Selective Availability for GPS which improved it's accuracy. A cache was placed and in two days, it was found 3 times. Geocaching was born. A website was created where players login to get the long. / lat. coordinates of various caches – they are placed in all 50 states and in 200 countries worldwide. There are even caches placed in Antarctica!!

How do you Geocache?

First, a cache must be approved and placed. There are administrators at geocaching.com who confirm that the cache will not be on private property (permission must be granted) or that the cache is at least .1 mi from the nearest existing cache. Additionally, caches should never be placed in an area that is a threat to or damages a habitat or wildlife and it should never be buried. A traditional cache can be small like a 35mm film canister or as large as an ammo box – or larger - depending where the player wants to hide it and what “loot” they would like to include. The “loot” can be anything the player wants to include, but since this is a game played by families, the “loot” must be G-rated and appropriate for youngsters. A log book is included, so the player who finds it can sign in, and often small trinkets such as stickers, legos, super balls, small action figures, hotwheels, etc...

A player then logs in to the geocaching.com site and searches for caches located in the zip code that s/he would like to search. The longitude & latitude coordinates are given, along with a map, a description of the type of cache, and sometimes a hint. Also, the player can see the comments that are posted by fellow players who have found the cache; this can be helpful if previous players have had difficulty in finding it. Once the long. & lat. have been recorded, the player sets out to find the cache. When the player finds the cache, they sign the log book and can take a trinket and leave one of their own – this way there is a “treasure” for the next person. Then, the finder logs back onto the website and records the "find".

Typically, the Geocache is hidden very well and can be camouflaged. When searching for a geocache in a high density area, perhaps near a restaurant or in a park, the player must be very stealthy so as not to draw attention. The point is for the cache to stay in place for the next person. Non-geocachers (the general public) are often referred to as “muggles”, and if a cache has been vandalized or removed, players say it has been “muggled”

Geocaching and the Environment

In 2003, geocachers created an event Cache In Trash Out which encourages clean-up of the environment, maintenance of the parks and trail systems, and was intended to increase the awareness about geocaching.

Classroom uses for Geocaching

Earthcache: The Earthcache program is organized and maintained by the Geological Society of America. It is a subset of geocaching where the cacher finds a “treasure” that is an educational lesson instead of trinkets. The essential element of an Earthcache is educational information about science or geography of the area. It also includes a task that engages the cacher. Earthcache is also sponsored by National Geographic and the National Park Service. Lesson plans are provided for teachers as well as modifications for those teachers who cannot take field trips, don't have GPS units, or are limited to one computer in the classroom.

Other ideas include:

• Searching for geocaches within walking distance of the campus.

• Creating mystery geocaches on campus; students have to solve clues at one cache to get the coordinates for the next cache and so on.

• Creating a classroom geocache and placing it in the community. Include a collection of student work and ask fellow geocachers for feedback.

• Incorporate Google Earth to locate geocaches in other parts of the world.