Help with Webelos Cub Scouts

[kchunks]

I have been asked to teach several small groups of Webelos (9 and 10 year old boys) about geocaching at an upcoming event. I have 14 minutes with each group and they need to find a cache in that time. I am going to hide multiple caches in the park area where this takes place. I figure that I will use an ammo can, some tupperware, some pipe for a few of the caches but from there I am at a loss. Is there anything else that I should use to give an idea of container types? What do people use for micro caches these days now that film containers are pretty much nonexistent? Thanks for the help.

[+NanCycle]

I have been asked to teach several small groups of Webelos (9 and 10 year old boys) about geocaching at an upcoming event. I have 14 minutes with each group and they need to find a cache in that time. I am going to hide multiple caches in the park area where this takes place. I figure that I will use an ammo can, some tupperware, some pipe for a few of the caches but from there I am at a loss. Is there anything else that I should use to give an idea of container types? What do people use for micro caches these days now that film containers are pretty much nonexistent? Thanks for the help.

 

Film containers were never a good choice as they are far from waterproof. The match containers sold in camping supply stores are very good as long as the O-ring lasts.

 

Be careful not to make your pipe container look like a pipe bomb.

[+niraD]

Wow... only 14 minutes? That really isn't very long.

 

I would try to spend 9-10 minutes explaining the basics of geocaching: what GPS is, cache types (traditional, multi, puzzle, "and others"), sizes (with examples of every size to pass around), difficulty & terrain, trade items and trackables and the differences. Then I'd spend the last few minutes letting them spot the caches hidden near the instruction area, and some time for Q&A.

 

I'd want them to see an example of every cache size, but some of those could be part of the explanation. I'd want some of the hidden caches to be well camouflaged, and some to be more obvious, but there's really only time for a few of them. Maybe an ammo can, a Lock & Lock, a fake rock, a container (preform or Bison tube) in a hole in a branch, and a few others. For the "spot the caches" part, I think it's more important that they be different from each other in hide style. Two Lock & Locks would be fine, if one is under a UPS and the other is painted with a camouflage pattern. If you'll be teaching near a tree/bush, then one of the "spot the caches" examples should be hanging from a branch.

[+K13]

By all means, in your Talking Points, please explain to these kids are to replace the cache as they found it, and that if they trade, they are to exchange even valued items. Better yet, tell them that due to their age, they must have their parents set up their account to play the game.

[+niraD]

By all means, in your Talking Points, please explain to these kids are to replace the cache as they found it, and that if they trade, they are to exchange even valued items.

Sometimes when I've explained geocaching to kids, I've opened an example cache and have used the cache note inside to explain the basic concepts. (And that includes trading fairly and replacing the cache as found.)

[+K13]

By all means, in your Talking Points, please explain to these kids are to replace the cache as they found it, and that if they trade, they are to exchange even valued items.

Sometimes when I've explained geocaching to kids, I've opened an example cache and have used the cache note inside to explain the basic concepts. (And that includes trading fairly and replacing the cache as found.)

 

Great idea. That would be a great way to introduce some of the Guidelines of our hobby to them.

[kchunks]

Thanks for the suggestions. I might forgo the pipe container as I did not think that people would think it is a bomb.

 

My thought was to teach some basic physics about how the unit works, etiquette, discuss cache sizes and show examples of those and that there are some where a puzzle must be solved in order to find the cache and that some are on the side of the roads while others are at the tops of mountains. I will print out some cache descriptions and hopefully a large printout that has a map of the area with caches listed. There is a patch associated with this activity "They" (the infamous they, the organizers or district people) want the scouts to get from the geocache. Obviously that is not possible with a micro cache so I was going to put a playing card or something that could be stuffed there that could be redeemed for the patch.

 

Has anyone ever spotted caching supplies like Official Geocache stickers or trackables at brick and mortar outdoor stores or is mail order the way to go?

[+K13]

So your organizers have no idea about Geocaching (and with such a short time per group, not much of an idea about scheduling activities)? They expect you to explain everything, then take the Webelos on a cache hunt all in less than 14 minutes? When teaching the Geocaching Merit Badge to Boy Scouts, I usually allow for 4 to 6 hours. Granted, the Merit Badge is more in depth than an introduction, but what can "they" expect you to do in 14 minutes? GOOD LUCK!! Remember, it's only an hour a week.

 

As for stickers, the Groundspeak Website Store has everything you could need.

[+niraD]

One of the techniques I've used for explaining how GPS works is to suspend three pieces of yarn from the ceiling. I explain that the attachment point represents a satellite, and the length of yarn represents the distance the GPS receiver is from the satellite. I show how that defines a circle on the floor. Then I show how a second piece of yarn defines two points on the floor, where the circles intersect, and how a third piece of yarn defines a point on the floor. Then I mention that there is also another point ("up there") defined by the three distances, but that a fourth piece of yarn would let me tell the difference. This takes just a couple minutes.

 

But that's for my one-hour intro classes, where I have about half an hour explaining everything, and another half hour with the kids taking turns spotting the hidden containers. You've got only 14 minutes.

 

Anyway, REI used to stock a small assortment of geocaching supplies. They still stock general-purpose containers and supplies that can be used for geocaching, but they no longer stock geocaching-specific items like travel bugs or "official geocache" labels.

[+Team Microdot]

14 minutes isn't long enough for a decent learning experience.

[jholly]

14 minutes isn't long enough for a decent learning experience.

Depends, if your learning how to lick a stamp 14 minutes will probably cover the finer points.

[+Team Microdot]

14 minutes isn't long enough for a decent learning experience.

Depends, if your learning how to lick a stamp 14 minutes will probably cover the finer points.

 

You're right - I should have said 14 minutes isn't long enough for a decent learning experience given the subject matter.

[+geodarts]

14 minutes isn't long enough for a decent learning experience.

Depends, if your learning how to lick a stamp 14 minutes will probably cover the finer points.

 

Not if you want to explain the chemical composition of stamps, the history of stamp licking (and the biology involved), the technology of self-adhesive stamps, and the placement of stamps after they are licked..

 

But 14 minutes for caching (including finding a cache) would be difficult. If I had time I would want to explain how the game relates to other things they might have learned (such as leave no trace). Phone apps. Dedicated GPSr units. And if the group asked sbout cache placement that could open up a whole discussion in and of itself. I have seen some brutal kid caches.

 

Is there any reason for the time frame?

[+WilliamGray]

You can find small containers at walmart. I bought a small plano waterproof container for my phone for $5 or so. They also have 30cal ammo can size plastic boxes for $6.