Geocaching
(GEE-OH-CASH-ING)
The sport where YOU are the search engine!
What is Geocaching?
Geocaching is a GPS-enabled treasure hunt played in over 190 countries across the world. In this game, outdoor enthusiasts follow GPS coordinates to explore new locations and find caches hidden by fellow geo-explorers in public spaces.If you find a cache, sign the log book, take a piece of the treasure, leave a piece of treasure then go home and post your experience on http://www.geocaching.com!!
What is GPS?
GPS stands for Global Positioning System. This system represents a constellation of 30 satellites operated by the U.S. Department of Defense. These satellites travel in controlled orbits approximately 20,000 kilometers above the earth’s surface, making two complete rotations every day. The orbits are arranged so that at anytime, anywhere on Earth, there are at least four satellites “visible” in the sky. Each satellite transmits a complex radio signal including an extremely accurate time signal. Using a GPS receiver (from recreational devices to survey-grade instruments) satellite radio signals are received and simple trigonometry calculations determine a precise position on the earth’s surface. A minimum of 3 satellite signals is required but most GPS units can access up to 12 or more for increased accuracy.
What does a geocache look like?
Traditional geocaches require some sort of container for placing a logbook and/or various treasures for swapping. The original cache container mimicked the iconic metal ammo can but after nearly two decades of geocaching, all manner of container can be found!
Spider "Nano", Bubble Gum "Micro", Ammo box "Large", Peanut Butter Jar "Traditional"
What’s in a cache?
Each cache should contain a log book for you to sign and date. Depending on the size or type of cache, you may also find small trinkets to trade, instructions for another cache or maybe even a 'travel bug'!
Travel Bugs
: Travel Bugs are items that have been tagged with a unique code (similar to 'dog tags') and given a purpose. For example, a travel might include a stuffy that wants to travel across Canada by all manner of transportation. If a geocacher grabs a Travel Bug they are agreeing to move the item along to another geocache taking it one step closer to its goal.
Geocaches Near Brock University
Geocashes
Let's Play!
Sources
1. The Evolution of Geocaches [blog post]. (November 19, 2019). Retrieved November 26, 2019 from https://www.geocaching.com/blog/2019/11/the-evolution-of-geocaches/
2. X Marks the Spot: What is geocaching and how does it work [blog post]. (December 12, 2018). Retrieved November 26, 2019 from https://mapscaping.com/blogs/geo-candy/what-is-geocaching-how-does-it-work
3. GEOCACHING [website]. (copyright 2000-2019). Retrieved November 26, 2019 from https://www.geocaching.com
4. Global Positioning Systems [website]. (November 25, 2019). Retrieved November 27, 2019 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Positioning_System
5. A struggling town is reviving itself with… Geocaching [website]. (March 30, 2018). Retrieved November 27, 2019 from https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/qvxvq5/wilberforce-canada-stuggling-town-geocaching-capital
6. Getting Started with ArcGIS StoryMaps [website]. (October 30, 2019). Retrieved November 28, 2019 from https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/cea22a609a1d4cccb8d54c650b595bc4
7. ArcGIS StoryMaps Frequently Asked Questions [website]. Retrieved November 28, 2019 from https://doc.arcgis.com/en/arcgis-storymaps/get-started/faq.htm
Imagine the places you’ll go with geocaching!
