Geocaching
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+ | |quote=The word ''geocache'' is a combination of "geo," which means "earth," and "cache," which means "a hiding place." ''Geocaching'' describes a hiding place on planet Earth - a hiding place you can find using a GPS unit. A GPS (Global Positioning System) unit is an electronic tool that shows you where to go based on information it gets from satellites in space. | ||
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== Requirement resources == | == Requirement resources == |
Revision as of 22:43, October 28, 2012

![]() | Geocaching requires prior parental approval for requirement(s) #7. |
Geocaching merit badge | ||
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Status: | Elective | |
Created: | 2010 | |
Discontinued: | no | |
BSA Advancement ID: | 145 | |
Requirements revision: | 2010 | |
Latest pamphlet revision: | 2010 |
Contents |
“ | The word geocache is a combination of "geo," which means "earth," and "cache," which means "a hiding place." Geocaching describes a hiding place on planet Earth - a hiding place you can find using a GPS unit. A GPS (Global Positioning System) unit is an electronic tool that shows you where to go based on information it gets from satellites in space. | ” |
Geocaching merit badge requirements | ![]() | ||
1. Do the following:
2. Discuss the following with your counselor:
3. Explain the following terms used in geocaching: waypoint, log, cache, accuracy, difficulty and terrain ratings, attributes, trackable. Choose five additional terms to explain to your counselor. 4. Explain how the Global Positioning System (GPS) works. Then, using Scouting’s Teaching EDGE, demonstrate the use of a GPS unit to your counselor. Include marking and editing a waypoint, changing field functions, and changing the coordinate system in the unit. 5. Do the following:
6. Describe the four steps to finding your first cache to your counselor. Then mark and edit a waypoint. 7. With your parent’s permission*, go to www.Geocaching.com. Type in your zip code to locate public geocaches in your area. Share the posted information about three of those geocaches with your counselor. Then, pick one of the three and find the cache.
8. Do ONE of the following:
9. Plan a geohunt for a youth group such as your troop or a neighboring pack, at school, or your place of worship. Choose a theme, set up a course with at least four waypoints, teach the players how to use a GPS unit, and play the game. Tell your counselor about your experience, and share the materials you used and developed for this event.
View the change list (history) of these requirements. The text of these requirements may be locked. In that case, they can only be edited by an administrator. Please note any errors found in the above requirements on this article's Talk Page. |
Notes
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Requirement resources
GPS Introduction:
- Simple pdf instructions: http://www.geocaching.com/articles/Brochures/EN/EN_Geocaching_BROCHURE_online_color.pdf
- Geocaching.com video: What Is Geocaching? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4VFeYZTTYs
- Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.geocaching.com/faq/
1.a. Geocaching hazards
1.b. cuts, scrapes, snakebite, insect stings, tick bites, exposure to poisonous plants, heat and cold reactions (sunburn, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, hypothermia), and dehydration.
1.c. Buddy system
2.a. Geocaching Etiquette: Never bury a cache: http://www.geocaching-101.com/2010/03/21/the-basics/
- Cache Locations - never bury: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks/other/geocache.html
- Never bury - respect the environment Leave No Trace
- Hiding a Geocache: http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/hiking/geocaching5.htm
2.b. Geocaching etiquette: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/gh3.pdf
- Hiding a Geocache: http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/hiking/geocaching5.htm
2.c. Leave No Trace
3. Glossary of Terms: http://www.geocaching.com/about/glossary.aspx
- Waypoint: http://www.geocaching.com/about/glossary.aspx#Waypoint
- Cache: http://www.geocaching.com/about/glossary.aspx#Cache
- Attributes Icons: http://www.geocaching.com/about/icons.aspx
Examples of additional terms are included above such as Muggle, ROT13 Code, etc.
- Benchmarks: http://www.geocaching.com/mark/default.aspx
- Datum: http://www.geocaching.com/about/glossary.aspx#datum
4. How GPS Receivers work: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gps.htm
- Global Positioning System: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPS - http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=GPS
- Scouting’s Teaching EDGE
- Garmin GPS Acadamy Videos: http://www8.garmin.com/gpsacademy/
5.a. Map and compass
5.b. See links above: Map and compass - GPS
5.c. Universal Transverse Mercator: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Transverse_Mercator
- Latitude/longitude system: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographic_coordinate_system
5.d. Plot a UTM: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Transverse_Mercator#Locating_a_position_using_UTM_coordinates
6. Four steps to finding your first cache: http://www.geocaching.com/about/finding.aspx
- How to Go Geocaching: http://www.wikihow.com/Go-Geocaching
- Waypoint: http://www.geocaching.com/about/glossary.aspx#Waypoint
- Types of Geocaches: http://www.geocaching.com/about/cache_types.aspx
- Video: What does a Geocache Look Like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDSBXSofsck
- Video: Introduction to Geocaching: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcFvoU7b92Q
7. www.Geocaching.com
8.a. Cache to Eagle
- Geoscouting Cache to Eagle: http://www.geoscouting.com/cache2eagle.html
- Guidelines: http://www.geoscouting.com/pdfs/c2eguidelines.pdf
- Patch: http://www.geoscouting.com/contact.html
8.b. Travel Bug: http://www.geocaching.com/track/faq.aspx - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travel_Bug
8.c. Hiding Your First Geocache: http://www.geocaching.com/about/hiding.aspx
- Cache Guidelines: http://www.geocaching.com/about/guidelines.aspx#TOC
- Cache Maintenance: http://www.geocaching.com/about/guidelines.aspx#maint
8.d. Cache In Trash Out: http://ww2.scouting.org/100years/100years/sitefiles/1000/YourSource/PlanningTools/Geocaching/CITO_Public.pdf - http://www.geocaching.com/cito/default.aspx - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cache_In_Trash_Out
9. Sample Geohunt (Geocaching scavenger hunt) with multiple waypoints: http://www.fws.gov/merrittisland/GeoHunt.html
Related awards
Sports-related awards
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See also
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General Merit Badge information
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External links
- Canadian Orienteering Federation
- Intl. Orienteering Federation
- Geocaching.com
- Geocaching to Promote Scouting
- Orienteering Games for the Computer
- Schoolyard Compass Game
- Scout Skills Orienteering Badge UK
- U.S. Geological Survey
- U.S. Orienteering Federation
- AE Orienteering
- The Compass Store
- Orienteering Unlimited
- Orienteer Website
- GeoScouting.com