Kaytea's+Kaches

KayTea's Kaches I chose to use the iPhone App to assist me in my Geocaching adventure. I stayed on Campbell University’s campus to find me “treasures.” There proved to be several located right in the heart of Buies Creek in and around Academic circle. The first cache I found was located near The Butler Chapel Bell Tower. At first, it was considerably difficult to find the proper direction to head. However, after I started moving it got easier and easier. Of course the App only takes you within about thirty feet of the actual cache so after that the rest is up to you. I plundered through bushes and stepped around a few fountains, but eventually I found it, hidden in plain sight. The second cache I located was meant to be outside of Kivett Hall, but ended up being somewhere near Baldwin Hall. Baldwin Hall is roughly two-hundred feet from Kivett Hall. This just goes to show that GPS can only put us in a general location. One of the caches was a film canister in a tree, the other was a simple Tupperware container tucked behind an eave in a building. If the iPhone App is not available to you in order to Geocaching you can also use the Geocaching website: https://www.geocaching.com/

The above are pictures from my second find. The App gives hints. Sometimes the hints are a bit vague but other times they are flat out spoilers (like the one in the upper left). This cache wasn't much of a "treasure." This cache had lots of business cards along with some signed log materials. I added my own materials to the cache and put it back into the tree.

 The above are pictures from my first find. These photos really highlight the capabilities of the App. You are able to view maps of what Caches are near you and you are able to give others hints and highlights of your Caching experience. I, of course, signed and dated the log and updated the log on the App.

Geocaching is fun and exciting activity to add to the Social Studies classroom. I have attached a lesson plan that aligns with both sixth and eighth grades Social Studies standards. Of course my lesson plan is only an idea. You can you add and edit or even come up with your own ideas. :) Happy Caching!