Tools for Unit Events

Special Offer from Geocaching.com

Groundspeak, owner and operator of Geocaching.com, has offered a free 30 day premium membership to Geocaching.com for every Scout and Scouter (a $5 per person value).

A premium membership allows players to directly contact each other more easily, cache along a route, and enables "pocket queries" where players keep a database of all the caches of a certain type in an area to download into a GPS device. Purchasing the premium membership after a trial is $30. Standard membership is free.

Information about activating free trial Groundspeak Premium Memberships is included in council Get in the Game! starter kits. To learn more, contact your 100th Anniversary staff adviser.

Geocaching Resources

Get in the Game! with Geocaching

For our 100th Anniversary Celebration, the BSA is tapping into the fun and excitement of geocaching and inviting you along. Through Get in the Game! geocaching events, Scouts and non-Scouts alike will search for prizes in this fast-paced outdoor quest. It's a great way to share Scouting skills — and adventure — with today's tech savvy kids.

What is geocaching?

Put simply, it's a high-tech treasure hunt. Players hide containers, called "caches" or "geocaches," outdoors and then share the coordinates. Then, other players seek them out using GPS navigation devices. It's fun, challenging, and interesting for individuals, families, and groups.

What do we need?

GPS units work well, and several retailers offer discounts to Scout groups. There are also several geocaching apps for the iPhone, and some other cell phones work too. You'll also need a map and compass. The technology only takes you so far. When you get closer to a cache site, traditional orienteering skills come into play.
To build a cache, all you need is a piece of paper to serve as a log book, Scouting goods like patches and photos, and a plastic container. If you're resourceful, it might not cost you anything at all.

Get in the Game! Activities

The BSA has developed five geocaching activities for the Get in the Game! program.

Pillars of Scouting — "Travel Bugs®" that go from cache to cache around the nation to highlight core Scouting values. Please note: There are five pillars per council. Unfortunately, we don't have enough to supply each unit.
Cache to Eagle® — BSA districts across America are hiding caches to showcase some of Scouting's great gifts to America, Eagle Scout service project sites. Learn how this program started at Geoscouting.com.
Treasures of Scouting — Caches around the country that showcase Scouting people and programs: Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing, Scouting Alumni, and Volunteers.
Race to 2010 — Pinewood Derby cars will soon be zooming around the nation. Start your engines ... the race begins March 6, 2010!
Cache In Trash Out — Partnering with Geocaching.com, Scouts join in a single day of service throughout America.

Geocachers — want to help Scouts “Get in the Game”?

If you're an active geocacher interested in helping Scouts and Scouters in your area, contact the 100th Anniversary Staff Adviser at your BSA local council to enroll in the 100th Anniversary National Leadership Team. Help bring the fun and adventure of geocaching to youth in your community!