[GeoStL] Geocaching at Jamboree

Here's an article from the Jamboree about the geocaching going on through 
Magellan.

Bridget


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High Tech Scavenger Hunt Leads To Prizes 
      By Anne Jeffs
      Jamboree TODAY Staff
      "We get to see the entire camp if we do them all," said Eagle Scout Kyle 
G., 17, of Troop 936 from Colorado Springs, Colo. He and his friend Matthew are 
trying to do the geocaching courses for all subcamps. On Friday, they had just 
started their fourth course.
      Geocaching is a high-tech scavenger hunt using a Global Positioning 
Satellite (GPS) receiver to lead Scouts to a series of caches, typically a 
weatherproof box of inexpensive trinkets. A cache is found at a specific 
longitude and latitude location. At the jamboree, the caches are items with 
letters written on them. When all letters are found, Scouts are able to spell 
out a word. Scoutmasters will award the commemorative jamboree geocaching card 
to Scouts upon completion. 
      Geocaching events are popular all over the world. Life Scout Mike Z., 17, 
of Troop 951 from Rapid City, S.D., said his family participates in geocaching 
and he wanted to know more about it.
      The GPS receiver can display a location on a road map, but for this event 
Scouts use the compass display system. The compass directs them and a display 
in the upper corner reveals how far Scouts are from the clue. 
      The coordinates for the clues were programmed into the system before 
Scouts arrived. Measurements are precise to within about 15 to 25 feet, 
depending on cloud cover, trees, and the number of satellites within range, 
signal strength and other factors. Once the Scouts are within 20 feet, they 
stop and look for the clue.
      Some Scouts have used GPS systems before. Life Scout Steven H., 16, of 
Troop 615 from Bakersfield, Calif., said he has used a GPS system on a cell 
phone.
      Scouts have to find six items with different letters. Once all items have 
been found, and the secret word is decoded, Scouts can trade for a trinket from 
the treasure chest back at their starting point. 
      Life Scout Ian K., 16, of Troop 951 from Rapid City, S.D., said the 
caches are cool. "You take one thing and leave one behind," said Ian. You also 
receive a brochure about geocaching, and a card showing you completed the 
course. 
      There might be some patches in the treasure chest, but there is not an 
official geocaching patch for this event. First Class Scout Ian M., 13, of 
Troop 951 from Sturgis, S.D., said he was enjoying the challenge.
      In order for Scouts to check out the GPS system, Scoutmasters must 
present their driver's license. The geocaching course starts at the program 
tent in every subcamp. 
      The courses are different for each subcamp and usually take less than an 
hour to complete. 
      Eagle Scout Matthew M., 18, of Troop 936 from Colorado Springs, Colo., 
said he "wanted to get one [GPS system] and do it [geocaching] at home." 
      There are safety guidelines for participating in geocaching. Scouts 
should not walk through campsites and should stay out of the woods. Scouts 
should leave the caches as they found them and not let other Scouts see where 
the caches are. The caches are not buried and nothing needs to be torn apart to 
find them. Do not forget to use the buddy system.
      The brochure also lists other activities Scouts can do with these GPS 
systems in their troops. This information could come in handy for some lucky 
council. According to Richard Ziman, program assistant for Subcamp 6, the 12 
units from his subcamp will be raffled off to councils who have completed 
national youth leadership training (NYLT). Back to Top 
     

Mike

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