What is Geocaching?What is Geocaching?Andrea Mercado

Reference & Techie LibrarianReading Public Library

:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html

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nature + tech• Hidden caches (containers of

stuff) all over the world

• Longitude and latitude coordinates

• GPS (Global Positioning System) devices

• Tracking site on the web

:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html

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How did it start?

• May 1, 2000: government makes GPS signals available to public

• May 3, 2000: someone hid a ‘cache’ in Oregon. It was visited twice within 3 days and logged in the log book once.

:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html

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Then what?

• Mike Teague, first geocache finder, built a web page to document the caches.

• Jeremy Irish, Geocaching.com creator, named it ‘Geocaching’.

• September 6, 2000: the official torch was passed to Jeremy.

• Geocaching is now in all 50 states and in over 200 countries.

:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html

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OK, enough history

:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html

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How do I get started?

• Sign up for a free account on Geocaching.com

• Look up caches (by ZIP code, state, country, Google Maps)

• Pick a cache (or two)• Enter coordinates into GPS• Get out and go!

:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html

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Sample geocache page

“Get a Clue” cache - GCWVX8 by RPLKids (Summer 2006)

:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html

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What’s a GPS?

• a.k.a. GPSr (r=receiver)• Tells you where you are• Tracks where you go• Stores geocache

coordinates and/or prefab maps

• DOESN’T TELL ANYONE ELSE WHERE YOU ARE

:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html

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What should I take with me?

The basics include:• Cache page printout• GPS (w/coords punched in)• Trinkets for the cache• Water & snacks!Let’s have a look in my

geocache bag…

:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html

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Printable cache page

On cache page, click on: Make this page print-friendly (no logs)

:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html

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Trinkets

Some items obtained from other caches, some we added ourselves.

:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html

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Simple Glovebox Kit

A basic kit of handy stuff

mini CITO kit(gloves+bag)

bug block

trinkets

extra paper: just in case the log is full, or to help figure out clues

hand wipes

:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html

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What will I find?

travel bugstravel bugs

microcachemicrocache standard cachestandard cache

large cachelarge cache

ammo boxammo box

:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html

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Travel Bugs

Bugs travel from cache to cache. See http://www.geocaching.com/track/travelbugfaq.aspx.

Bugs tags outlined in orange

:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html

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What do I do?

1. Take something from the cache.

2. Leave something in the cache.

3. Write about it in the logbook.

Be sure to log your visit at Geocaching.com.

:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html

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CITO

• Cache In Trash Out• a.k.a., CITO

(see-toe)• Help keep nature clean

while you geocache• My CITO kit

http://www.CacheInTrashOut.org/

:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html

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Basic CITO Kit

Reuse a grocery bag, add gloves

Make CITO kits portable in a snack-sized zip bag, which you can leave in a cache as a “trinket”

:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html

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Find the *new*new* RPL cache!Cache name: Magic! (GC14EHA)

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GC14EHA

:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html

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What’s inside

:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html

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Don’t forget to sign in!

:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html

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Geocaching Resources

• Geocaching.com: http://www.geocaching.com

• Cache in Trash Out: http://www.cacheintrashout.com

• Buying a GPS: http://www.geocaching.com/about/buying.aspx

• Geocaching pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/geocaching/

:: Andrea Mercado, Refererence & Techie Librarian :: Reading Public Library :: http://readingpl.org/kidspage.html

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Questions?

Andrea MercadoReference & Techie LibrarianReading Public Librarymercado@noblenet.org

Thanks for coming!Thanks for coming!

See you on the hunt!See you on the hunt!