geocaching and cub scouts
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Geocaching and Cub Scouts. Presented by Bill Mulvihill Vice Chairman, Programs – Huguenot Trail District, Heart of VA. Who am I ?. Involved in BSA for over 30 years (Eagle Scout) Presently serving on Huguenot Trail District Staff - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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!