Updating Geocaching 101

[sandlanders]

We have held a few GC 101 events over the years, and we usually tailor them to the people who attend. While always hitting on the basics, if it is mostly an experienced crowd, we may go off on more in-depth topics of their choosing. If the crowd is fairly new, then we emphasize what geocaching is, how to get started, types of hides, containers, ethics… you get the picture.

Geocaching has totally changed since we started, but we haven’t kept up with the technology. Now a good percentage of newcomers use their smart phones and apps and all sorts of things we would not be able to answer questions on. There apparently isn’t even the need to register an account on geocaching.com at all. At least we still have longitude and latitude and satellites up in the sky!

What I am asking here is how have you adapted your GC 101 presentations to the current technology, and how should information be presented in the “modern” geocaching era. We don’t have a smart phone, we don’t use GSAK, we don’t log from the field. All we can do is give a solid foundation and hope that new people still want to hear that stuff. We feel woefully inadequate. 😕

[JimandLinda]

I still use the Groundspeak DVD from 5 years ago. I believe that new cachers should see the history, as well as how the hunt was meant to be played. They also need to learn about TBs, geocoins, and CITO, which their Smartphones may not be smart enough to be aware of!

I also like to give them a trifold handout at the start. If they cut out early, they still have info in their possession. The handout says nothing about Smartphones, but the question usually comes up at the end.

Just the way I do it.

[Northwoods Tom]

Before you know it geocaching is going to be taught the old way only at the rendezvous reenactments that occur around the country.

When I teach geocaching in my classroom I follow what JimandLinda have mentioned but all the students have their Smartphones and put them to use in the field as well. So I actually go the opposite direction in addition to geocaching and also teach orienteering as well.

[hack1of2]

This is good stuff.

Jim I’m not familiar with the Groundspeak DVD. Is there a downloadable version online? That sounds like it might be a handy file to have stored on a tablet, laptop, flash drive, etc.

[Trekkin and Birdin]

Those are good things to consider. Since we’re also in the dark ages, we have no clue about a lot of the newer things out there. Trekkin’ asked some questions recently on a facebook page and uws22 has a good understanding of the capabilities and limitations of cell phones. It was a really productive thread and maybe Brian could pass along some tips for those of us who are pretty clueless.

[Noonan]

All we have are our cell phones. They are terrible when the weather is cold, the batteries simply don’t last. Bounce can be bad at times too. However, having access to satellite maps, logs and hints in addition to preloading pocket queries or saved searches are nice built-ins of the geocaching app!
I’m hoping to get a handheld gps unit in the future for increased accuracy. The apps don’t like the decimal format for coordinates either. I avoid doing puzzle caches because I don’t want to take the time to work things out on site, especially with the cold we’ve had this winter.

The best sig is no sig.

[JimandLinda]

Groundspeak put out a DVD in 2004 called “The Complete Guide to Geocaching”.
It has the history of geocaching, finding your first cache, placing a good cache, geocaching with children, and some bonus features.
I use about 25 of the 60 minutes for an intro, then use the rows of seats where I’m presenting to represent longitude/lattitude. Before the session starts, I hide a keyholder under a chair, and the group figures out the L/L grid in the room.
I then refer to the trifold handout, which is available in the resource thread.
Finish up with sample containers and info on Trackables, then ask for questions.

Most of my Geo 101 is using approved materials instead of personal info. I am not a techie and you could spend hours going over the computer angles of the sport. I prefer to “salt” the interested attendees and let them decide for themselves how involved they want to be.

I haven’t done Geo 101 as an Event, as I don’t see the logic behind it. Why invite experienced cachers to be in the audience? They should be volunteering their own time to share the fun!

I’m not sure if the DVD is still available from Groundspeak. Mine is available as a loaner.

[Noonan]

I don’t see a DVD anywhere obvious on Groundspeak website. None of the starter kits list a DVD either.

Worldcaching has this “lost finds” DVD
http://www.worldcaching.com/lost-found-stories-dvd-vol-1-p-1172/

Amazon has a few copies here:

The best sig is no sig.

[JimandLinda]

The Amazon DVDs are the one I have.

[Todd300]

Heh, I forgot I burned a copy of that DVD when I was with you at Cabela’s, Jim, and I totally forgot all about that. I still have to burn the file to a blank DVD so I can watch it. Thanks for the reminder. 🙂

[Todd300]

Aww. I watched the DVD only to find out it is not closed captioned or subtitled for the hearing impaired. But I guess that is to be expected since it was made back in 2004 at a time when subtitling or captioning technology was not as widespread as it is today.

It is still useful for me to loan to someone if they get interest in it.

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