This document provides an overview of geocaching, which is an outdoor treasure hunting game where participants use GPS devices to find hidden containers called geocaches. It discusses who participates in geocaching, basic rules like leaving caches as you find them, and suggestions for how the local township could support geocaching, such as developing an official policy for cache placement. The presenter aims to educate the community about geocaching.

1. GEOCACHING
in Your Community
Presented by
Peter Muir aka PMuir

2. Who Am I?
• Resident of Green Lane, PA
• Business Owner of a Marketing
Education Company
• Avid geocacher and passionate teacher
• Someone interested in shaping the
world around me and willing to do
some work to get it done!
Why I’m Here?
• Provide a brief overview of geocaching
• Describe the geocaching community of
those who place and find geocaches
• Discuss rules and who enforces them
• Make 4 suggestions on what
Towamencin Township can do about
geocaching

3. What is GPS?
• Global Positioning System (GPS)
• Navigation system that can pinpoint a
location anywhere on earth
• 24+ satellites that circle the earth
twice a day and the ground stations
that monitor them
• Invented by the Department of
Defense and Ivan Getting
• Primarily created for navigation and
gaining in use as a timing system
• May 2, 2000 selective availability
allowed the accuracy of GPSr to
improve tenfold
http://inventors.about.com/od/gstartinventions/a/gps.htm

4. GPS Units
• Electronic determines your
approximate location
(within 6-20 feet) on the planet
• Coordinates given in Latitude
and Longitude
• Some GPS units have their own maps,
built in electronic compass,
voice navigation and more
• Each GPS receiver has a computer that
receives signals broadcast from GPS
satellites
• A receiver needs to read signals from
at least three satellites at time to
calculate its general location by a
process called trilateration
• Signals from four or more satellites
can give a more accurate location
including altitude
• Smart phones with GPSr built in make
geocaching possible using them

5. What is Geocaching?
• Outdoor adventure game for GPS
users of all ages
• Basic idea is to set up caches (hidden
containers) and share the locations
(latitude and longitude) of the caches
on the internet
• GPS users use the coordinates to get
close to the cache
• The last part is often the hardest
and most enjoyable…finding
where the geocache is hidden
• Once found a user may take/leave
something and sign the log
• And then they record their “find” and
experiences on the internet too

6. Why Geocache?
• Think of it in two parts
1. The journey to reach the cache
2. The challenge of actually finding
the container
• Sounds simple, but many caches
are well hidden…many enjoy the
challenge
• Great way to explore near and far
• Brings family and friends together
• Makes other outdoor activities
more enjoyable
• Sometimes just getting to the cache
can be a big part of the adventure
• Improves physical and mental health
• Draws new people to a particular
location

7. Who Geocahes?
• Over 5,000,000 geocachers worldwide
• Most are 45+
• Many families and couples
cache together
• Each geocache has a difficulty (1-5)
and terrain rating (1-5) allowing
geocachers to find suitable caches for
their ability

8. Where to find
geocaches?
• Right outside your door!
• On every continent from Antarctica to
North America
• Under the sea and in space too!
• 1,363,322 geocaches in the world!
(as of 5:23 p.m. 4/27)

11. When can you
Geocache?
• Most geocaches are available
year round
• Some at night depending on
permission
Who hides Geocaches?
• Other geocachers
• Anyone can hide a geocache after
reviewing the Cache Listing
Requirements and Guidelines
• Have obtained permission from the
land owner or land manager
• Have your geocache approved by
volunteer reviewers
• It’s suggested you find 100 first so you
know what makes a respectful,
safe and great hide

12. What are basic rules
of Geocaching?
1. Practice Leave No Trace guidelines,
respect the people and property
along the way
2. If you take something from a cache,
leave something of equal or
greater value
3. Log your find in the cache logbook
4. Write about your experience on
www.Geocaching.com
Some guidelines for
placing Geocaches?
• Seek permission
• Never bury
• Do not deface or destroy
• No school properties or military bases
• At least .1 mile (528 feet) apart
• Appropriate location and container
• No food, fire or sharp items in cache
• Label your geocache
• No caches in US National Parks

14. How do Geocachers
give back?
• Respect the environment
• Practice Leave No Trace and Cache in
Trash Out principles
• Even host CITO events
• Help other geocachers maintain
their caches
• Educate other geocachers and the
community at large

15. Township Considerations
• Cache’s aren’t buried, nor trash and
foot traffic similar to trail walking
• A small number of caches have caused
problems to private property owners
or local governments
• Education of caching community
and non-players is key
• Weigh potential issues vs. the ongoing
growth of the sport
• Learn more about the benefits to the
community
Choices for Geocaching
in Towamencin
1. Status quo continuing to learn
and understand
2. Allow geaocaching with
no official policy
3. Develop an official policy for
placement and share via the web
4. Develop a formal review
and permitting process

17. Easy Steps to Geocaching
1. Register for a free basic membership
at www.geocaching.com
2. Click “Hide & Seek a Cache”
3. Enter your postal code and click
“search”
4. Choose any geocache from the list
and click on its name
5. Research the cache (description,
rating, recent logs)
6. Enter the coordinates of the
geocache into your GPS receiver
7. Use your GPS device to assist you in
getting close to the geocache
8. Once at the location rely more on
your senses than the technology
9. Sign the logbook and return the
cache to its original location
10. Share your stories and photos on line

18. Geocaching Slang and Jargon
• GZ (Ground Zero): Location when GPS notifies you
that you have arrived at the coordinates.
• TFTC (Thanks For The Cache)
• TFTH (Thanks For The Hunt)
• TNLNSL (Took Nothing Left Nothing Signed Log)
• FTF (First To Find): First to find a new cache
• GPSr (Global Positioning System Receiver)
• DNF (Did Not Find)
• BYOP (Bring Your Own Pen)
• C&D (Cache and Dash)
• PNG (Park and Grab)
• TB (Travel Bug)
• CO (Cache Owner)
• PI (Poision Ivy)
• Muggle: non-geocacher who accidentally finds a
cache or is in the area when you're searching for a
cache
• SWAG: Trade items that are swapped
• Waypoint: reference point for a physical location
on Earth referenced by coordinates
• Bison Tube: Small, cylindrical, water tight
container used for micro caches.
• Nano: smallest cache container, about the size of a
blueberry
• TPTB (The Powers That Be): Those who run
Geocaching.com
• Reviewer: Local volunteer who validates a cache
submission