Geocaching and Cub ScoutsGeocaching and Cub ScoutsPresented by Bill MulvihillPresented by Bill MulvihillVice Chairman, Programs – Huguenot Trail District, Heart of Vice Chairman, Programs – Huguenot Trail District, Heart of VA VA

Who am IWho am I? ?

Involved in BSA for over 30 years (Eagle Scout)Involved in BSA for over 30 years (Eagle Scout)

Presently serving on Huguenot Trail District StaffPresently serving on Huguenot Trail District Staff

6 years as a Cubmaster: Pack 861, Bon Air 6 years as a Cubmaster: Pack 861, Bon Air Presbyterian Church in Heart of VA Council and Presbyterian Church in Heart of VA Council and Pack 184 Transatlantic CouncilPack 184 Transatlantic Council

Former Den Leader, ASMFormer Den Leader, ASM

Have planned over 60 Pack meetingsHave planned over 60 Pack meetings

Dad of a Eagle Scout and Life ScoutDad of a Eagle Scout and Life Scout

What this presentation is not…What this presentation is not…

A How To Guide to Conducting a Geocache A How To Guide to Conducting a Geocache eventevent

What this presentation is…What this presentation is…

Nothing more than tips and suggestionsNothing more than tips and suggestions

Situations and experiences that I learned fromSituations and experiences that I learned from

A pointer to good online resourcesA pointer to good online resources

Hopefully, a time where we can share ideasHopefully, a time where we can share ideas

AgendaAgenda

Intro – What is it?Intro – What is it?

What Do You NeedWhat Do You Need

How Do You PlanHow Do You Plan

What Are the BenefitsWhat Are the Benefits

How Do I Introduce to my Den/PackHow Do I Introduce to my Den/Pack

Geocache Rules and EtiquetteGeocache Rules and Etiquette

Where Can You Find Out More Where Can You Find Out More InformationInformation

What is it?What is it?

Cub Scouts LOVE BURIED TREASURE.Cub Scouts LOVE BURIED TREASURE.

All around us, other Geocachers have hidden ‘stuff’ All around us, other Geocachers have hidden ‘stuff’ with a goal of having others finding it.with a goal of having others finding it.

There is a free website which you can use to ‘find’ There is a free website which you can use to ‘find’ clues and latitude/longitude coordinates to a clues and latitude/longitude coordinates to a ‘cache’. www.geocaching.com ‘cache’. www.geocaching.com

You use a hand-held GPS devise to find the ‘cache’. You use a hand-held GPS devise to find the ‘cache’. You either enter the coordinates by hand or You either enter the coordinates by hand or download them from the free website.download them from the free website.

What Do You Need?What Do You Need?

Access to a computer to find ‘caches’Access to a computer to find ‘caches’

At least 1 handheld GPS devise, preferably 2 if going At least 1 handheld GPS devise, preferably 2 if going as a den activity as the boys will want to ‘lead the as a den activity as the boys will want to ‘lead the way’way’

Pen, paper, and paper copies of the cluesPen, paper, and paper copies of the clues

Extra batteriesExtra batteries

Trash Bags…Always pick up trash along the wayTrash Bags…Always pick up trash along the way

An inquisitive and fun attitudeAn inquisitive and fun attitude

Sturdy walking shoesSturdy walking shoes

What are the Benefits?What are the Benefits?

Opportunity to incorporate different activities into Opportunity to incorporate different activities into any outdoor eventany outdoor event

Gain appreciation for parks in and around us.Gain appreciation for parks in and around us.

Learn tracking and navigation skillsLearn tracking and navigation skills

Learn how GPS devices workLearn how GPS devices work

FUN WITH A PURPOSEFUN WITH A PURPOSE

How Do I Introduce to my How Do I Introduce to my

Den/PackDen/PackTeach a limited amount of terms, know-how indoorsTeach a limited amount of terms, know-how indoors

Scouts want to be outdoors. The sooner you get Scouts want to be outdoors. The sooner you get them on their first cache search, the more of their them on their first cache search, the more of their attention you will getattention you will get

Determine Parents/Leaders who have an interest in Determine Parents/Leaders who have an interest in thisthis

Optimum group size for a cache search is probably Optimum group size for a cache search is probably 6-8…a den size group6-8…a den size group

Use a simple box compass course to teach the Use a simple box compass course to teach the concepts of navigation to the scoutsconcepts of navigation to the scouts

Build a themed cache yourselfBuild a themed cache yourself

Geocache RulesGeocache Rules

Safety is rule #1. Safety is rule #1.

Stay away from road traffic and railroad crossingsStay away from road traffic and railroad crossings

Don’t place caches higher than 6 ft or allow any Don’t place caches higher than 6 ft or allow any dangerous climbing to retrieve any cachesdangerous climbing to retrieve any caches

Don’t require scouts to swim to reach a cacheDon’t require scouts to swim to reach a cache

Enforce the buddy systemEnforce the buddy system

Never bury a cacheNever bury a cache

Avoid sensitive ecosystemsAvoid sensitive ecosystems

Don’t place caches in archaeological or historic sitesDon’t place caches in archaeological or historic sites

Don’t deface any object, natural or manmadeDon’t deface any object, natural or manmade

Respect private property Respect private property

Geocache EtiquetteGeocache Etiquette

Practice Cache In and Trash Out (CITO)Practice Cache In and Trash Out (CITO)

Follow Leave No Trace guidelinesFollow Leave No Trace guidelines

Be careful of the area around the cacheBe careful of the area around the cache

Follow all laws and regulationsFollow all laws and regulations

Write an entry in the logbookWrite an entry in the logbook

Take Something Leave Something (TSLS)Take Something Leave Something (TSLS)

Taking a travel bug ‘requires’ you to log that you Taking a travel bug ‘requires’ you to log that you have it and to ultimately send it on its wayhave it and to ultimately send it on its way

Respect other visitors to the areaRespect other visitors to the area

Beware of ‘muggles’Beware of ‘muggles’

More Information Available…More Information Available…

www.geocaching.comwww.geocaching.com

www.geoscouting.comwww.geoscouting.com

Geocaching Merit Badge, BSAGeocaching Merit Badge, BSA

Thank You!