What is Geocaching? The word geocache is a combination of "geo" which means "earth", and "cache" which means "a hiding place". Geocaching describes a hiding place on planet Earth- a hiding place you can find using a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit. ~Geocaching Merit Badge Series
Okay, now I know what a geocache is and what coordinates are, how do I find one?
Visit Geocaching. com. Log into your (families) free account.
Click on Play, and enter the zip code of the area you want to search for geocaches.
Once you find a cache you think you might want to look for and click on the link.
Read the page thoroughly. First you will notice a icon telling you what kind of cache it is. It also has a title, which may give you a hint about the cache. Read the description for the main information on what you are looking for. Some caches have hints, which you want to read to help you find the cache (some cachers save the hint for after they start looking for the cache and need a little more help). It is also helpful to read the prior logs, although everyone is careful not to give away where the cache is, logs may help move you in the right direction. the Cache page will also tell you the size of cache you are looking for.
Nano, Micro, and Small Caches usually only have room for a log. One you find the cache you just sign the log return it to where you found it and log your find on geocaching. com. Medium and Large Caches have room room for leaving and trading goodies (SWAG).
ETIQUETTE FOR LEAVING AND TRADING GOODIESOne of the guiding principles of geocaching is “take something, leave something.” A geocache hider places a number of goodies in a container when a new cache is first started. As people find the cache, they exchange goodies that catch their eye with trade items they’ve brought with them on the search. If you take something from a cache, be sure to leave something. If you forgot your trade items, just sign the logbook. A number of geocachers just do this anyway and don’t exchange goodies. To them, finding the cache is the exciting and rewarding part of the sport — they’re not really interested in the contents of a cache. As you find more geocaches, you’ll get a better idea of what kind of goodies people leave in caches — it can be just about anything that will fit in a cache container. There’s always a lot of discussion within the geocaching community about what is appropriate and not appropriate to leave in a cache. Here are some quick guidelines:
Don’t leave food in a cache. Food can attract animals as well as get smelly and messy, and plastic cache containers have been chewed through by critters eager to get at a tasty snack.
Never put anything illegal, dangerous, or possibly offensive in a cache.Geocaching has turned into a family sport, so be responsible.
Always exchange something of at least equal value for whatever you take. For example, don’t purloin a cool antique coin and replace it with a cheap McToy.
Try to trade up.Trading up means leaving something in the cache that’s better than what you take. Many times, caches start out with cool stuff but soon end up filled with junk (broken toys, beat-up golf balls, cheap party favors, and so on). If you can, always trade up to make the finds more interesting for everyone.
Put yourself in the shoes of the next cache visitor. Would they find whatever item you just left interesting, intriguing, useful, or fun?
If the cache contains a Travel Bug (a to-be-taken-and-moved item that has a metal dog tag attached to it with a logo of a bug and a serial number), feel free to take the Travel Bug but only if you will remember to turn it loose in another cache that you find. Travel Bugs are meant for traveling.
Practice entering coordinates and finding your way
Turn on your GPS.
Move the thumb stick until it highlights "Where to?".
Push the thumb-stick.
Move the thumb stick until it highlights "Coordinates".
Push the thumb-stick.
Use the thumb-stick and arrows to enter the coordinates you have.
Push done.
Push the back button until you see the main menu again, then move thumb-stick until it highlights compass.
Push the thumb-stick.Walk about 10-15 feet in one direction and than another watching "Dist to Next" you are trying to get the number to go down. Keep moving around while looking at GPS until you figure out what direction to go in.
The GPS will get you to the general location. When you are looking for a cache, you will want to put down the GPS and start looking when you are within 10 feet.
Now practice using these coordinates. There will be no geocache at these locations, it is just to practice using the GPS.
Waypoint 1: N 42 16.059 W 079 42.613 Waypoint 2: N 42 16.048 W 079 42.624 Waypoint 3: N 42 16.056 W 079 42.643