In junior high PE, we are doing a very interesting unit called geocaching. A lot of people don't know a lot about it so in the information below, you can learn all about it. Junior high students are doing a form of it and maybe will even have time to find a real "cache" that is located in Belmond on the trail.
The Game of Geocaching
Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure
hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set
of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at
that location.
Geocaching also involves moving(exercising) in
the outdoors without you even realizing that you are exercising.
History
of Geocaching- May, 2000
How
is the game played
At its simplest level, geocaching requires
these 7 steps:
3.
Enter your postal code and click "search."
4.
Choose any geocache from the list and click on its name.
5.
Enter the coordinates of the geocache into your GPS Device.
6.
Use your GPS device to assist you in finding the hidden
geocache.
7.
Sign the logbook and return the geocache to its original
location.
Rules of geocaching
1.
If you take something from the geocache (or "cache"),
leave something of equal or greater value.
2.
Write about your find in the cache logbook.
What do you need to go
geocaching?
The only
necessities are a GPS device or a GPS-enabled mobile phone so that you can
navigate to the cache
Where are geocaches
located?
Geocaches
can be found all over the world. It is common for geocachers to hide caches in
locations that are important to them, reflecting a special interest or skill of
the cache owner. They may be at your local park, at the end of a long hike,
underwater or on the side of a city street.
What does a geocache
look like?
Geocaches vary greatly in size and appearance. In the field
you will see everything from large, clear plastic containers to film canisters
to a fake rock with a secret compartment.
So, how do you find
the cache?
There are many things to know about searching for a cache.
For instance, did you know that there is a slight "error" to every
GPS device due to technological limitations? Your device can get you close to
the cache, but there are a number of things to consider when looking.
What’s
usually in a cache?
In its simplest form, a cache always contains a
logbook or logsheet for you to log your find. Larger caches may contain a
logbook and any number of items. These items turn the adventure into a true
treasure hunt. You never know what the cache owner or visitors to the cache may
have left for you to enjoy. Remember, if you take something, leave something of
equal or greater value in return.
Hiding Geocaches
Members of the geocaching community hide and maintain all of the geocaches
listed on Geocaching.com. You can hide one too!
Our
Geocaching Unit
Lesson 1:
DVD, Learn how to us GPS unit with activity sheet.
Lesson 2: Find the "treasure" with way points/Activity #1
Lesson
3: Set your own “treasure’ out/Activity #2
Find
a real geocache in Belmond
Read more...
