2011 GEOCACHING PROGRAM OVERVIEW & WORKBOOK

MERIT BADGE UNIVERSITY OVERLAND TRAILS COUNCIL

TABLE OF CONTENTS PROGRAM OVERVIEW MERIT BADGE REQUIREMENTS (PRE-REQUISITE REQUIREMENTS IN BOLD RED UNDERLINED ITALICS)

WORKBOOK PART ONE (COMPLETE BEFORE ATTENDING MBU)

WORKBOOK PART TWO (WILL BE COMPLETED DURING CLASS)

WORKBOOK PART THREE (COMPLETE AFTER MBU WITH YOUR TROOP AT HOME) (POST-MBU REQUIREMENTS IN BOLD GREEN UNDERLINED ITALICS)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES APPLICATION for MERIT BADGE (MUST HAVE UNIT LEADER SIGNATURE PRIOR TO CLASS)

Overland Trails Council, May, 2011 Information in this booklet was accurate at the time of publishing. Geocaching Merit Badge Requirements, 2010, Copyrighted Boy Scouts of America.

GEOCACHING PROGRAM OVERVIEW BRING TO CLASS:

Geocaching merit badge pamphlet. Geocaching merit badge workbook, part one & part two. Signed “Application for Merit Badge”, found at the end of the merit badge workbook. (This will be your only record of work completed on this merit badge.) If your Council requires the official “blue card”, you must bring one with you to class.

PRE-REQUISITES:

Complete Part One of the workbook before class (requirements 1 & 5a). Complete information on “Application for Merit Badge” including Scoutmasters signature.

CURRICULUM:

Requirements 2, 3, 4, 5b-d, & 6 will be completed during class (part two of the workbook). Pre-requisites will also be reviewed during class.

POST-MBU REQUIREMENTS: Requirements 7, 8, & 9 will need to be completed with your troop after MBU. CLASS SIZE:

10

GEOCACHING CANNOT BE COMPLETED DURING MBU, SCOUTS WILL NEED TO FINISH REQUIREMENTS 7, 8, & 9 WITH THEIR TROOP AFTER RETURNING HOME. THE MBU GEOCACHING CLASS SHOULD GIVE SCOUTS THE NECESSARY KNOW-HOW TO COMPLETE THESE REQUIREMENTS WITHOUT MUCH TROUBLE. THIS WORKBOOK IS SET UP WITH THAT IN MIND, PART-ONE IS THE PRE-REQUISITES, PART-TWO IS THE CLASS CURRICULUM AND PART-THREE CAN BE USED TO FINISH THE MERIT BADGE WITH THEIR TROOP AFTER THE MBU WEEKEND.

GEOCACHING Geocaching Merit Badge Requirements, 2010 PRE-REQUISITE REQUIREMENTS ARE PRINTED IN BOLD UNDERLINED RED ITALICS & MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE CLASS. POST-MBU REQUIREMENTS ARE PRINTED IN BOLD UNDERLINED GREEN ITALICS & WILL NEED TO BE COMPLETED WITH YOUR TROOP AFTER MBU. 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. 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. 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 to your counselor the use of a GPS unit. 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 to your counselor the four steps to finding your first cache. 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 with your counselor the posted information about three of those geocaches. Then, pick one of the three and find the cache. 8) Do ONE of the following: a) If a Cache to Eagle®, series exists in your council, visit at least three of the 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. b) Create a Scouting-related Travel Bug® that promotes one of the values of Scouting. “Release” your Travel Bug into a public geocaches 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.

c) Set up and hide a public geocaches, 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 geocaches, with your parent’s permission, follow the logs online for 30 days and share them with your counselor. 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.

GEOCACHING WORKBOOK PART ONE, PRE-REQUSITIES Name Unit # Council

District

Part One of the workbook must be completed before class. Bring workbook sections Part One and Part Two with you to class. Also bring the “Application for Merit Badge” signed by your scoutmaster (included at the end of the workbook). 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. Explain the most likely hazards you may encounter:

what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards:



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. First Aid for:

Cuts and scrapes Snakebite Insect bites Tick bites Sunburn Heatstroke Heat exhaustion Hypothermia Dehydration

GEOCACHING WORKBOOK, PART ONE, p.2 Name 5. Do the following:  a) Show you know how to use a map and compass and explain why this is important for Geocaching. Show you know how to use a map and compass:

Explain why this is important for Geocaching:

Requirement 5 parts b through d will be completed during class.

GEOCACHING WORKBOOK PART TWO, CLASS CURRICULUM Name Unit # Council

District

Part Two of the workbook will be completed during class. 2. Discuss the following with your counselor:  a) Why you should never bury a cache. 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

Proper Geocaching etiquette When hiding a cache

and how to properly hide: post: maintain: dismantle a geocache:



c) The principles of Leave No Trace as they apply to geocaching.

Geocaching Leave No Trace principles:

When seeking a cache

GEOCACHING WORKBOOK, PART TWO, p.2 Name 

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.

Explain the following terms: waypoint log cache accuracy difficulty and terrain ratings attributes Trackable



4. Explain how the Global Positioning System (GPS) works. Then, using Scouting’s Teaching EDGE, demonstrate to your counselor the use of a GPS unit. Include marking and editing a waypoint, changing field functions, and changing the coordinate system in the unit.

Explain how the Global Positioning System works:

Demonstrate to your counselor the use of a GPS unit, include: Marking and editing a waypoint: Changing field functions: Changing the coordinate system in the unit:

GEOCACHING WORKBOOK, PART TWO, p.3 Name 5. continued  b) Explain the similarities and differences between GPS navigation and standard map-reading skills and describe the benefits of each. Similarities between GPS navigation and standard map-reading skills:

Differences between GPS navigation and standard map-reading skills:

Describe the benefits of each: GPS navigation

Standard map-reading skills



c) Explain the UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) system and how it differs from the latitude/longitude system used for public geocaches.

Explain the UTM

How does it differ from the latitude/longitude system:



d) Show how to plot a UTM waypoint on a map. Compare the accuracy to that found with a GPS unit.

Who how to plot a UTM waypoint:

Compare the accuracy with a GPS unit:

GEOCACHING WORKBOOK, PART TWO, p.4 Name 

6. Describe to your counselor the four steps to finding your first cache. Then mark and edit a waypoint.

The four steps to finding your first cache: 1. 2. 3. 4. Mark and edit a waypoint:

GEOCACHING WORKBOOK PART THREE, POST MBU-REQUIREMENTS Name Unit # Council

District

Part Three of the workbook will need to be completed after MBU with your troop. 

7. With your parent’s permission*, go to www.geocaching.com. Type in your zip code to locate public geocaches in your area. Share with your counselor the posted information about three of those geocaches. Then, pick one of the three and find the cache.

Geocaches in your area: 1. 2. 3. Cache found:

8. Do ONE of the following:  a) If a Cache to Eagle®, series exists in your council, visit at least three of the 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. Visit at least three locations of a Cache to Eagle® and describe the projects that each highlights: 1.

2.

3.

How does the Cache to Eagle® program help share our Scouting service with the public:

GEOCACHING WORKBOOK, PART THREE, p.2 Name 8. continued  b) Create a Scouting-related Travel Bug® that promotes one of the values of Scouting. “Release” your Travel Bug into a public geocaches 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 30day period. Create a Scouting-related Travel Bug®:

Release your Travel Bug and monitor its progress for 30 days: Date Travel Bug Progress Log

GEOCACHING WORKBOOK, PART THREE, p.3 Name 8. continued  c) Set up and hide a public geocaches, 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 geocaches, with your parent’s permission, follow the logs online for 30 days and share them with your counselor. Set up and hide a public geocaches: Your 6-month maintenance plan, where you are personally responsible for the first 3 months:

Public Geocaches 30 Day Log: Date

Logs

GEOCACHING WORKBOOK, PART THREE, p.4 Name 8. continued  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. Explain what Cache In Trash Out means:

How you have practiced CITO at public geocaches or at a CITO event:

Either create CITO containers or host a CITO event:



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.

Plan a geohunt:

Choose a theme and set up a course with at least four waypoints: Theme: Waypoint 1: Waypoint 2: Waypoint 3: Waypoint 4: 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 RESOURCES (Whenever you go online, be sure you have your parent’s permission first.) Cache In Trash Out http://www.cacheintrashout.org Geocachers’ Creed http://www.geocreed.info Geocaching.com http://www.geocaching.com Geoscouting® http://www.geoscouting.com Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics http://www.lnt.org Maptools.com http://www.maptools.com U.S. Geological Survey http://www.usgs.gov

APPLICATION FOR MERIT BADGE MERIT BADGE UNIVERSITY SECTION A SCOUT & MERIT BADGE INFORMATION APPLICATION FOR MERIT BADGE MERIT BADGE UNIVERISTY Name: Merit Badge: Geocaching Address: Address: Overland Trails Council S City: State: PO Box 1361 C Boy Scout, 2808 O’Flannagan O Is a registered Varsity Scout, Grand Island, NE 68802-1361 U Venturer, T of No. Phone: 308-382-3717 OVERLAND TRAILS COUNCIL

Troop, team, crew, ship

District: Council:

SECTION B U N I T L E A D E R

email:

WORKBOOK PART ONE & PART THREE (Pre-requisite & Post-MBU Requirements)

Pre-requisite Requirements

Date of Approval

Counselor Initial

1 5a

Post-MBU Requirements

Date of Completion

Counselor Initial

7 8 9

The applicant has personally appeared before me and demonstrated to my satisfaction that he has met all pre-requisite requirements for the above stated merit badge and/or the scout is qualified and is ready to attend his assigned MBU class. I also understand that requirements 7, 8, & 9 will need to be completed after returning home with our troop.

Signature of Unit Leader

SECTION C

Date

WORKBOOK PART TWO (Class Curriculum)

Requirement No. and letter

C O U N S E L O R

[email protected]

Date of Approval

Counselor Initial

Requirement No. and letter

Date of Approval

Counselor Initial

2 3 4 5b 5c 5d 6 The applicant has personally appeared before me and demonstrated to my satisfaction that he has completed all requirements in SECTION C listed above for the

Merit Badge: Geocaching Name of Counselor: Please Print

Signature of Counselor

Date

SCOUT INSTRUCTIONS Complete “SECTION A”  Attend the merit badge class  Sign the Attendance Sheet provided by your merit badge counselor  After your merit badge class return this completed “Application for Merit Badge” to your Unit Leader SCOUTS PLEASE REMEMBER  Have your merit badge workbook, the appropriate merit badge pamphlet, and this “Application for Merit Badge” with you when you attend class  If the merit badge pre-requisites are not completed before class, you will not be able to complete the merit badge during this weekend event, you will need to follow up with your Unit’s Advancement Chair when you return home  PLEASE BE AWARE THAT SOME COUNSELORS WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO ATTEND THEIR CLASS WITHOUT THE PRE-REQUISITES COMPLETED—SOME CLASS CURRICULUMS ARE DEPENDENT ON THE PRE-REQUISITE WORK BEING COMPLETED! 

UNIT LEADER INSTRUCTIONS Complete “SECTION B” 1. Date and initial each requirement listed in the table. 2. Sign your name in the space provided at the bottom of the section.  After returning home, requirements 7, 8, & 9 will need to be completed  After the Scout has returned this completed “Application for Merit Badge” to you, please forward to your Unit’s Advancement Chair UNIT LEADERS PLEASE REMEMBER  Please make sure your scout has his merit badge workbook, the appropriate merit badge pamphlet and this “Application for Merit Badge” with him when he attends class 

COUNSELOR INSTRUCTIONS 

Complete “SECTION C” 1. Date and initial each requirement listed in the table that was completed during class (If a requirement that is listed is not completed, please cross that requirement out) 2. Print and sign your name in the space provided at the bottom of the section

COUNSELORS PLEASE REMEMBER  Never meet with a Scout alone  Merit Badge Requirements must be completed as written; nothing may be added or deleted

NOTE TO UNIT ADVANCEMENT CHAIRMAN Before a Scout can receive credit for completing a merit badge, both Sections B and Section C must be signed. 1. “Section B” should be signed by the Scoutmaster from your Unit or another leader approved by your unit committee. 2. “Section C” must be signed by the merit badge counselor from the MBU.