What is Geocaching? Andrea Mercado Reference & Techie Librarian Reading Public Library

nature + tech Hidden caches (containers of stuff) all over the world Longitude and latitude coordinates GPS (Global Positioning System) devices Tracking site on the web

Hidden caches (containers of stuff) all over the world

Longitude and latitude coordinates

GPS (Global Positioning System) devices

Tracking site on the web

How did it start? May 1, 2000: government makes GPS signals available to public May 3, 2000: someone hid a ‘cache’ in Oregon. It was visited twice within 3 days and logged in the log book once.

May 1, 2000: government makes GPS signals available to public

May 3, 2000: someone hid a ‘cache’ in Oregon. It was visited twice within 3 days and logged in the log book once.

Then what? Mike Teague, first geocache finder, built a web page to document the caches. Jeremy Irish, Geocaching.com creator, named it ‘Geocaching’. September 6, 2000: the official torch was passed to Jeremy. Geocaching is now in all 50 states and in over 200 countries.

Mike Teague, first geocache finder, built a web page to document the caches.

Jeremy Irish, Geocaching.com creator, named it ‘Geocaching’.

September 6, 2000: the official torch was passed to Jeremy.

Geocaching is now in all 50 states and in over 200 countries.

OK, enough history

How do I get started? Sign up for a free account on Geocaching .com Look up caches (by ZIP code, state, country, Google Maps) Pick a cache (or two) Enter coordinates into GPS Get out and go!

Sign up for a free account on Geocaching .com

Look up caches (by ZIP code, state, country, Google Maps)

Pick a cache (or two)

Enter coordinates into GPS

Get out and go!

Sample geocache page “ Get a Clue ” cache - GCWVX8 by RPLKids (Summer 2006)

“ Get a Clue ” cache - GCWVX8 by RPLKids (Summer 2006)

What’s a GPS? a.k.a. GPSr ( r =receiver) Tells you where you are Tracks where you go Stores geocache coordinates and/or prefab maps DOESN’T TELL ANYONE ELSE WHERE YOU ARE

a.k.a. GPSr ( r =receiver)

Tells you where you are

Tracks where you go

Stores geocache coordinates and/or prefab maps

DOESN’T TELL ANYONE ELSE WHERE YOU ARE

What should I take with me? The basics include: Cache page printout GPS (w/coords punched in) Trinkets for the cache Water & snacks! Let’s have a look in my geocache bag…

The basics include:

Cache page printout

GPS (w/coords punched in)

Trinkets for the cache

Water & snacks!

Let’s have a look in my geocache bag…

Printable cache page On cache page, click on: Make this page print-friendly (no logs)

Trinkets Some items obtained from other caches, some we added ourselves.

Simple Glovebox Kit A basic kit of handy stuff mini CITO kit (gloves+bag) bug block trinkets extra paper: just in case the log is full, or to help figure out clues hand wipes

What will I find? travel bugs microcache standard cache large cache ammo box

Travel Bugs Bugs travel from cache to cache. See http://www.geocaching.com/track/travelbugfaq. aspx . Bugs tags outlined in orange

What do I do? Take something from the cache. Leave something in the cache. Write about it in the logbook. Be sure to log your visit at Geocaching .com .

Take something from the cache.

Leave something in the cache.

Write about it in the logbook.

Be sure to log your visit at Geocaching .com .

CITO Cache In Trash Out a.k.a., CITO (see-toe) Help keep nature clean while you geocache My CITO kit http:// www.CacheInTrashOut.org /

Cache In Trash Out

a.k.a., CITO (see-toe)

Help keep nature clean while you geocache

My CITO kit

Basic CITO Kit Reuse a grocery bag, add gloves Make CITO kits portable in a snack-sized zip bag, which you can leave in a cache as a “trinket”

Find the * new* RPL cache! Cache name : Magic! ( GC14EHA ) http://www. geocaching .com/seek/cache_details. aspx ? wp =GC14EHA

What’s inside

Don’t forget to sign in!

Geocaching Resources Geocaching.com: http://www.geocaching.com Cache in Trash Out: http://www.cacheintrashout.com Buying a GPS: http://www. geocaching .com/about/buying. aspx Geocaching pictures: http://www. flickr .com/photos/tags/ geocaching /

Geocaching.com: http://www.geocaching.com

Cache in Trash Out: http://www.cacheintrashout.com

Buying a GPS: http://www. geocaching .com/about/buying. aspx

Geocaching pictures: http://www. flickr .com/photos/tags/ geocaching /

Questions? Andrea Mercado Reference & Techie Librarian Reading Public Library [email_address] Thanks for coming! See you on the hunt!

Andrea Mercado

Reference & Techie Librarian

Reading Public Library

[email_address]

Thanks for coming!

See you on the hunt!