This is an introduction to geocaching designed for middle school students.

1. Geocaching:
Let’s Go on a Treasure Hunt!
TEK4S
Northwest Tri-CountyIntermediate Unit 5

2. Today’s Agenda
Welcome
Geo What?
Talk the Talk
Latitude and Longitude
Getting Started
Additional Resources

3. Geo What?
High- tech treasure hunt
Find the treasure using latitude and longitude
GPS device needed

4. Talk the Talk
Geocache- Hidden container
GPS= Global Positioning System
Waypoint– Reference point for a physical location
Muggle – a Non-geocacher
CITO– Cache In TrashOut
TFYC – Thanks For The Cache
DNF – Did Not Find
http://www.geocaching.com/about/glossary/
aspx#geocache

5. What is a Geocache?
Hidden container – owner recorded the GPS location
Smallest – Contains a logbook
Larger – Logbook plus trade items
What am I Looking for?

6. Latitude and Longitude
Map
Interactive Activity
Latitude and Longitude Finder

7. Dr. Alice Christie's Podcast
http://www.alicechristie.org/geocaching/
podcast/index.html

8. Found the Treasure
….Now What?
Sign the Logbook
Trade items
If you take something, you leave something.
Look for travel bugs and geocoins
Put the cache back
Log the find (or DNF)

9. Travel Bugs

10. Geocoins
Collectable and tradable items

11. Let’s Get Started
Createan account at http://www.geocaching.com
Search
Try searching by yourzip code first
Recordlatitude and longitude.
Reviewthe hints!
Followthe compass until youget to 0 -15 feet.
Use your “geosense” to find the treasure.
What am I looking for?

12. Tech Coach Resources
Finding a Geocache
http://wasdtechcoach.wikispaces.com/
file/view/Geocaching.pdf
Garmin eTrex
http://wasdtechcoach.wikispaces.com/
file/view/GPSGarminTips.pdf

13. Need More Info?
Geocaching’s Official Web Site–
http://www.geocaching.com
Beginner’s Guide –
http://www.factsfacts.com/geocacher.htm
Wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geocaching

14. Geocaching = Treasure Hunt
Happy Geocaching!
November 2010