Geocaching for dummies / by Joel McNamara.

"The fun and easy way to go treasure-hunting with a GPS receiver"--Cover.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Getting Ready to Geocache -- Let's Go Geocaching -- Advanced Geocaching -- A Few Closing Thoughts -- Getting Ready to Geocache -- An Introduction to Geocaching -- What Is Geocaching? -- Geocaching technology -- Geocaching explained -- Deciding to Geocache -- Who Geocaches? -- What You Need to Geocache -- Geojargon: Speaking the Lingo -- Selecting a GPS Receiver -- Understanding Basic GPS Concepts -- Satellites -- Ground stations -- Receivers -- GPS Receiver Accuracy -- Factors That Affect GPS Accuracy -- Discovering GPS Receiver Features -- Shells -- Screen display -- Mapping capabilities -- Memory -- PC interface -- Antennas -- Batteries -- Enhanced features -- Selecting a GPS Receiver for Geocaching -- Using a GPS Receiver -- Getting Familiar with Basic GPS Concepts -- Understanding coordinate systems -- Understanding datums -- Understanding waypoints -- Understanding routes -- Understanding tracks -- Using Your GPS Receiver -- Initializing a GPS receiver -- Changing receiver settings -- Entering a waypoint -- Navigating to a waypoint -- Using a Map and Compass -- All about Compasses -- Why do you need a compass? -- How compasses work -- Parts of a compass -- Selecting a compass -- All about Maps -- Why do you need a map? -- Selecting the right map -- Understanding parts of a map -- Using a Map and Compass -- Getting familiar with basic navigation concepts -- Orienting the map to north -- Taking a bearing -- Setting a course -- Using triangulation -- Let's Go Geocaching -- Selecting Geocaches to Find -- Defining the Types of Geocaches -- Traditional cache -- Multicache -- Virtual cache -- Mystery cache -- Locationless cache -- Letterbox hybrid -- Event cache -- Webcam cache -- Caches within caches -- Using Geocaching.com -- Querying the Geocaching.com Database -- Basic search techniques -- Detailed search techniques -- Looking at the Search Results -- Viewing the list of geocaches -- Getting information about a geocache -- Searching for a Geocache -- Deciding What Gear to Bring Geocaching -- Cache-related -- Food and shelter -- Electronic devices -- Safety equipment -- Getting Close to the Geocache -- Starting Your Search -- Search Strategies as You Near the Cache -- Discovering a Geocache -- What to Do When You Find a Geocache -- Opening the cache -- Signing the logbook -- Leaving and trading goodies -- Heading home -- Logging your find online -- When You Can't Find a Geocache -- Logging a DNF -- Try, try again -- Hiding Geocaches -- Deciding What Type of Geocache to Create -- Selecting a Container -- Ammo cans -- Household plastic storage containers -- Selecting a Location -- Where to hide your cache -- Where not to hide your cache -- Hiding for seekers -- Recording the location -- Stocking a Geocache -- Logbook and writing utensil -- Identifying information -- Goodies -- Submitting a Geocache -- Maintaining a Geocache -- Physical maintenance -- Online maintenance -- Advanced Geocaching -- Searching for Benchmarks -- Understanding Benchmarks -- Identifying Benchmarks in Your Area -- Benchmarks from Geocaching.com -- Benchmarks from the National Geodetic Survey -- Finding Benchmarks -- Starting your benchmark search -- Documenting a found benchmark -- Organized Geocaching Clubs and Competitions -- Geocaching Clubs -- Why join a club? -- Finding a local club -- Competitive Geocaching -- Geocaching stats -- Organized competitions -- GPS and Geocaching in Education -- GPS in the Schools -- Geography -- History and sociology -- Ecology -- Mathematics -- Physical education -- Incorporating GPS in a Class -- Developing the curriculum -- Acquiring GPS receivers -- Evaluating your success -- Educational Internet Resources -- Ten Internet Geocaching Resources -- Geocaching.com -- Navicache.com -- Buxley's Geocaching Waypoint -- GPS Visualizer -- Today's Cacher -- Geocacher University -- Markwell's FAQs -- KeenPeople.com -- The First 100 Geocaches -- Letterboxing North America -- GPSInformation.net -- Ten Geocaching Programs -- Geocaching Swiss Army Knife (GSAK) -- GPXSonar -- CacheMate -- Watcher -- Plucker -- GPSBabel -- USAPhotoMaps -- TopoFusion.

Geocaching For Dummies starts with an introduction to geocaching, provides info on what you need to get started including a crash course on using GPS units, maps and a compass, then gets to the meat of the art of geocaching, talking about the geocaching website communities, using the GPS to find the caches, how to create and make your own cache, advanced geocaching and working with the geocaching clubs in specific areas. The book ends with a special section on geocaching in the education sector.