This is the work book for the Geocaching Merit Badge. Geocaching
Merit Badge Workbook Special Notes: The BSA is working on the merit
badge pamphlet. No picture of the merit badge is available at this
time. Scouts can complete requirements, but can't earn the badge
until BSA officially adds the badge to the advancement system.
Scouts can then get credit for their previous work but the date
earned will be when it can be entered. This workbook can help you
but you still need to read the merit badge pamphlet (book). No one
can add or subtract from the Boy Scout Requirements #33216. Each
Scout must do each requirement. Merit Badge Workbooks and more:
Online Resources. Send comments to the workbook developer:
craig@craiglincoln.com. Requirements revised: 04/9/10, Workbook
updated: 07/10. Scout’s Name: Unit: Counselor’s Name:
Counselor’s Ph #:
1. Do the following: a. Explain to your counselor the most
likely hazards you may encounter while participating in geocaching
activities and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent,
mitigate, and respond to these hazards. Hazard: Anticipate,&
Prevent: Mitigate & Respond: b. Discuss first aid and
prevention for the types of injuries or illnesses that could occur
while participating in geocaching activities, including cuts,
scrapes, snakebite, insect stings, tick bites, exposure to
poisonous plants, heat and cold reactions (sunburn, heatstroke,
heat exhaustion, hypothermia), and dehydration. c. Discuss how to
properly plan an activity that uses GPS, including using the buddy
system, sharing your plan with others, and considering the weather,
route, and proper attire.
2. Discuss the following with your counselor: a. Why you should
never bury a cache. b. How to use proper geocaching etiquette when
hiding or seeking a cache, and how to properly hide, post,
maintain, and dismantle a geocache. c. The principles of Leave No
Trace as they apply to geocaching
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: a. Show you know how to use a map and
compass and explain why this is important for geocaching. b.
Explain the similarities and differences between GPS navigation and
standard map reading skills and describe the benefits of each. c.
Explain the UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) system and how it
differs from the latitude/longitude system used for public
geocaches. d. Show how to plot a UTM waypoint on a map. Compare the
accuracy to that found with a GPS unit.
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. *To fulfill this requirement, you will need to
set up a free user account with www.geocaching.com. Ask your parent
for permission and help before you do so.
8. Do ONE of the following: a. If a Cache to Eagle® series
exists in your council, visit at least three of the 12 locations in
the series. Describe the projects that each cache you visit
highlights, and explain how the Cache to Eagle® program helps share
our Scouting service with the public. -OR- b. Create a
Scouting-related Travel Bug® that promotes one of the values of
Scouting. "Release" your Travel Bug into a public geocache and,
with your parent’s permission, monitor its progress at
www.geocaching.com for 30 days. Keep a log, and share this with
your counselor at the end of the 30-day period. -OR- c. Set up and
hide a public geocache, following the guidelines in the Geocaching
merit badge pamphlet. Before doing so, share with your counselor a
six-month maintenance plan for the geocache where you are
personally responsible for the first three months. After setting up
the geocache, with your parent’s permission, follow the logs
online for 30 days and share them with your counselor. -OR- d.
Explain what Cache In Trash Out (CITO) means, and describe how you
have practiced CITO at public geocaches or at a CITO event. Then,
either create CITO containers to leave at public caches, or host a
CITO event for your unit or for the public.
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.