Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunting game where players use GPS devices to find hidden containers called geocaches around the world. It began in 2000 when the first cache was hidden in Oregon. Now there are over 2 million active caches worldwide. Players navigate to coordinates, find caches containing logbooks and sometimes trade items, and log their discoveries online. It promotes environmentalism and outdoor recreation for people of all ages.

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Geocaching
The Digital Treasure Hunt
By Cheryl LeJune

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What is Geocaching?
Geocaching is a real-world outdoor treasure
hunting game. Players try to locate hidden
containers, called geocaches, using GPS-
enabled devices and then share their
experiences online.
Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age
groups, with a strong sense of community and
support for the environment.

3. What is Geocaching?

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What is geocaching?
 Low-impact outdoor activity for GPS
users of all ages
 GPS = Global Positioning System

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Global Positioning System
 GPS is a system of
32 satellites to
calculate your
position.
 Satellites transmit their current
position down to Earth via radio
waves.

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Global Positioning System

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GPS receiver
 Receives signals from GPS
satellites.
 Determines latitude and longitude
of your current position on the
Earth's surface.

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GPS receivers

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GPS receiver
 Location can be
displayed on a map
background

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GPS receiver
 Display of distance,
bearing and ETA to
a selected waypoint

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Other GPS receiver
features
 Determining satellite signal strength and
margin of error
 Marking waypoints (latitude and longitude
coordinates)
 Keeping a graphical track of your journey
 Displaying street and topographical maps
 Automatic route creation and traversal
 Electronic compass
 Barometric pressure altimeter

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Uses for GPS receivers
 Hiking and backpacking
 Canoeing and marine navigation
 Hunting and fishing
 Bird watching
 Search and rescue
 Exercise progress tracking
 Traveling via car, motorcycle, bicycle
 Geocaching

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What is geocaching?
 Outdoor adventure game for GPS
users of all ages.
 The basic idea is to set up caches
(hidden containers) and share the
locations (latitude/longitude) of these
caches on the internet.

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What is geocaching?
 GPS users can then use the coordinates
to find the caches.
 The visitor may take
something from the
cache, leave something,
and/or sign the logbook.
 The “find” is then logged onto the
Internet website where statistics
about found and hidden caches are
maintained.

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What’s the point?
 It may sound simple, but many
caches are well hidden.
 Many require searching and
experience to find.
 Only a few geocaches are
accidentally found by non-
geocachers.

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What’s the point?
 Sometimes just getting to the cache
area can be a big part of the
adventure.
 It's one thing to see the latitude and
longitude plotted on a map, but it can
be quite a task to figure out how to
get from here to there.

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What’s the point?
Geocaching can be thought of in two
parts:
 The journey to reach the cache area.
 The challenge of actually finding the
cache container.
Both can be equally rewarding.

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Misconceptions about
geocaching
FACT: Geocaches are
not allowed to be buried
in the ground.
“Geocaches are buried.”

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Misconceptions about
geocaching
FACT: Geocaches are
not litter or abandoned
property.
“Geocaches are litter or
abandoned property.”

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Misconceptions about
geocaching
 FACT: Geocaching foot traffic
is similar to hiking, trail
walking, or bird watching.
 Most caches are placed near
trails.
“Geocaching will damage the
land.”

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How Did It Get Started?
 On May 1, 2000, the GPS signal
degradation called Select Availability
(SA) was removed.
 The change allowed GPS units
owned by civilians to be more
accurate – to within 20 feet or
better.
 On May 3rd, 2000 someone hid a cache
in Oregon and posted the coordinates
on the Internet. It became the first
geocache.

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How Did It Get Started?
 Jeremy Irish, the owner of the
Geocaching.com website, expanded the
idea and named it “Geocaching”.
 Geocaching is now in all 50
states and more than 200
countries.
 Geocaching.com is by far
the #1 website for
geocachers.

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Worldwide geocaches
2,377,807 active geocaches worldwide

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U.S. geocaches

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Northwest Houston Caches

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Geocache containers
 A weather-resistant
container such as
Tupperware,
Rubbermaid, or
surplus ammo box

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What’s in a cache?
 Logbook
 Trinkets to trade
 Examples: maps, books, software,
hardware, CDs, videos, pictures, coins,
tools, games, etc.
 Information sheet that explains the
container and geocaching, as well as
contact information.
 Disposable camera (optional)

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What’s in a cache?

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What are the rules?
Cache contents
 No food
 No weapons (knives, ammunition, explosives)
 No drugs or alcohol
 No adult materials
 No solicitations (business, religious, political)

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Who enforces the rules?
 Geocaching.com
 Controls listing of geocaches worldwide on its
website.
 Caches are approved by volunteer reviewers.
 Reviewers do not visit the geocache in person
as part of the approval process.
 Reviewers view the online description,
coordinates, topo maps, proximity to other
caches, compliance with known park rules.

35. Cache In Trash Out
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Cache In Trash Out (CITO) is an ongoing
environmental initiative supported by the
worldwide geocaching community.
Since 2002, geocachers have been dedicated
to cleaning up parks and other cache-friendly
places around the world. Through these
volunteer efforts, we help preserve the natural
beauty of our outdoor resources!

36. Suggestions for a Day of
Geocaching
 What to wear?
 Long sleeve shirt
 Hat
 Long pants
 Sturdy walking/hiking shoes
 Bug repellent
 What to bring?
 Water
 Walking Stick
 Snacks
 Map
 Cell Phone
 GPS w/extra batteries or charger

37. Geocaching –
Texas State Parks!

38. Let’s Go Geocaching!
 001 – N 29° 54.785’
W 095° 41.576’
 002 – N 29° 54.671’
W 095° 41.435’
 003 - N 29° 54.602’
W 095° 41.363’ 39
A Little Birdie Told Me
0.1 mi
All About Fish
0.1 mi
More Power
0.25 mi