What is Geocaching?

Slide 1: What is Geocaching? Andrea Mercado Reference & Techie Librarian Reading Public Library

Slide 2: 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 :: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspag 2

Slide 3: 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. :: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspag 3

Slide 4: 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. :: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspag 4

Slide 5: OK, enough history :: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspag 5

Slide 6: 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! :: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspag 6

Slide 7: Sample geocache page “Get a Clue” cache - GCWVX8 by RPLKids (Summer 2006) :: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspag 7

Slide 8: 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 :: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspag 8

Slide 9: 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… :: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspag 9

Slide 10: Printable cache page On cache page, click on: Make this page print-friendly (no logs) :: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspag 10

Slide 11: Trinkets Some items obtained from other caches, some we added ourselves. :: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspag 11

Slide 12: Simple Glovebox Kit extra mini CITO kit paper: (gloves+bag) just in case the log is full, or to help bug block figure out clues trinkets hand wipes A basic kit of handy stuff :: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspag 12

Slide 13: What will standard cache I find? microcache microcache standard cache ammo box travel bugs large cache :: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspag 13

Slide 14: Travel Bugs Bugs tags outlined in orange Bugs travel from cache to cache. See http://www.geocaching.com/track/travelbugfaq.aspx. :: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspag 14

Slide 15: What do I do? 1. Take something from the cache. 2. Leave something in the cache. 3. Write about it in the logbook. Be sure to log your visit at Geocaching.com. :: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspag 15

Slide 16: CITO http://www.CacheInTrashOut.org/ • Cache In Trash Out • a.k.a., CITO (see-toe) • Help keep nature clean while you geocache • My CITO kit :: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspag 16

Slide 17: Basic CITO Kit Make CITO kits portable in a snack- sized zip bag, which Reuse a grocery you can leave in a bag, add gloves cache as a “trinket” :: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspag 17

Slide 18: Find the *new* RPL cache! Cache name: Magic! (GC14EHA) http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GC14EHA :: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspag 18

Slide 19: What’s inside :: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspag 19

Slide 20: Don’t forget to sign in! :: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspag 20

Slide 21: 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/ :: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspag 21

Slide 22: Questions? Andrea Mercado Reference & Techie Librarian Reading Public Library mercado@noblenet.org Thanks for coming! See you on the hunt! :: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspag 22