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Geocaching for Townships

Peter Muir
Peter Muir

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.

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GEOCACHING in Your Community Presented by Peter Muir aka PMuir
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 Im 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
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
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
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 enjoyablefinding 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
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 hiddenmany 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
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
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)
Geocaching for Townships
Geocaching for Townships
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 Its suggested you find 100 first so you know what makes a respectful, safe and great hide
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
Geocaching for Townships
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
Township Considerations Caches arent 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
Geocaching for Townships
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
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

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Geocaching for Townships

  • 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 Im 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 enjoyablefinding 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 hiddenmany 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 Its 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 Caches arent 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