Geocaching

This was my fourth speech in the Competent Toastmaster series. It was originally given in 2002.

Stand at lectern with right hand raised as though it is clutching a GPS. Stare at this hand. Remain like that for three seconds.

Ask: Do you know what I am doing?

Remove GPS receiver from pocket, place it in clutched hand and ask again.

No? Well, you have seen the stance of a geocacher.

History
Geocaching is a relatively new game. In May of 2000, then-President Clinton actually did something that did not embarrass his country . . . he removed the GPS signal degradation from satellites. Until then, commercial-grade GPS receivers were highly inaccurate. Afterwards, anyone could spot his position to within feet. To celebrate this, a guy near Portland, OR hid a container with some goodies in it. He posted the coordinates to a newsgroup on the Internet. A few days later, a couple people reported finding the container. This is geocaching.

A cache is defined as a hiding place especially for concealing and preserving provisions or implements. Geo is added as the prefix for earth. Combining them we have geocaching: a hiding place on Earth. (show definition with the term highlighted)

It has not changed much since then, but it has become more organized.

Materials
Now a player logs onto a web site (geocaching.com), puts in his zip code, and searches for caches in his area. For each cache there are the coordinates, a description, a link to a mapping site�this will help you drive to the correct area, and a virtual log�where one posts his experience seeking this cache and posts photographs too.

To geocache all one needs is a GPS receiver and a connection to the Internet. GPS receivers begin at about $100. The local library provides Internet access for free (excepting the taxes you pay).

Unlike many games and hobbies, there is not much add-on spending. I recommend a compass (display compass) and spare batteries (show batteries), for if the batteries to your GPS die in the middle of the woods, it would be good to be able to get out again.

Model
So, to go geocaching one would log on, enter his zip code, print out (or write down) the coordinates to nearby caches, grab his GPS and compass, and head out. He would find the cache, come back home, and log his experience online for others to see.

It is that easy . . .

Real Life Experiences . . . or not.
The fun of the game is in the adventure. One would think that if you had the coordinates to a specific place and you went to that place, finding a container would be easy. It can be exilirating!

The first cache I sought found me on the wrong side of a lake. Another that was recently featured in the Atlantic City Press had me on the wrong side of the AC Expressway contemplating dodging across (I did not).

There was another one at Parvin State Park for which I hunted an hour for and did not find. I was disappointed and arrived home in shame. As I studied the description again, I realized that it was probably dangling from a tree. I went back later to the exact spot I had searched and looked up (look up) and there it was.

I have searched in a downpour in Bridgeton. (shiver)

I have tried to outrun mosquitoes at Jake�s Landing. (swat imaginary mosquito).

I found the supposed home of the Jersey Devil.

My wife and I rode our bikes for miles on our honeymoon in search of these little containers.

I have found caches in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Florida!

I have traversed almost every inch of Wharton State Forest for these little containers (display container). It is not what is inside of them—junk mainly. The idea is that if you take something, you leave something. Many folks do not participate in that, but rather sign the logbook that is in the cache.

Review
Log on, enter your zip code, write down the coordinates, seek the cache, wirte in the logbook at the cache (that documents that you have been there), log your find online for others to read.

Extending the Experience
There are other ways to extend the game. Someone needs to hide these things. That can be as exciting as seeking them. I have hidden just one of these thus far. But it is less than a mile from where we are right now.

Instead of hiding and seeking caches, some folks like to seek benchmarks. The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) has survey discs, marks, etc. all around to hunt. There over 50 of these within Vineland itself.

Some folks like the virtual experience. For this, coordinates will be posted for some interesting view (one I found was a house that looked like a cookie jar).

It is all about having a good time. Be forewarned, it is addicting. Pretty soon you will be participating on the discussion boards, figuring out how to link your video to your computer to share a humorous experience, making suggestions on where to hide these little boxes of goodies, etc.

Wrap-Up
I had always been enamored with GPS technology. In fact, my entire family had been. We used to speak about how wonderful it is to able to determine where you are on the planet. But really, what can you do with that knowledge? Now we know.

Remember: geocaching: it is hiking with a purpose.

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