H.A.C. -Geocaching Traditional Geocache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Geocaching
The one that everybody has been waiting on is finally here. The
Geocaching merit badge. This one is located at Matsell Bridge
Natural area. This area is open to public hunting!!! You
will be looking for a 50 cal ammo can. The last 300 feet can be
pretty hairy so take your time. A flashlight may help you locate
the container. This is a "converted" cache so the log book isn't
blank. Please write about your trip in the log book instead of
just signing and dating it. Happy caching!!!
Requirements for the Badge, not the cache:
1. Do the following:
-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.
-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.
-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:
-Why you should never bury a cache.
-How to use proper geocaching etiquette when hiding or seeking a
cache, and how to properly hide a geocaches.
-The principles of Leave No Trace as they apply to geocaching
[[Front country and back country issues can be discussed in the
text.]]
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:
-Show that you know how to use a map and compass and explain why
this is important for geocaching.
-Explain the similarities and differences between GPS navigation
and standard map reading skills and describe the benefits of
each.
-Explain the UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) system and how it
differs from the latitude/longitude system used for public
geocaches.
-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.
Print out information about three of those geocaches and share this
with your counselor. [[Yes, details about account info can be
discussed in the text. We have specific guidelines for online
use—this doesn’t need to be written by MS.]]
*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:
-If a Cache to Eagle series exists in your council, visit at least
three of the 12 locations. 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.
-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-dayperiod.
-Set up and hide a public geocache, following all the
www.geocaching.com guidelines. With your parent’s permission,
follow the logs online for 30 days and share them with your
counselor.
-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.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Lhc vg'f va gurer