Study guides · Stuff Every Geocaching Scout Should Know
Practice facts for the Geocaching merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.
Knowing Geocaching Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.
▶ Play the game About this deck
Short answer: Signals from satellites
GPS receivers listen to signals from satellites to calculate where you are on Earth.
Groan of the day: This question has great coordinates!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: A logbook and sometimes a pen
A typical cache is a small waterproof container holding a logbook and sometimes a pen or pencil.
Groan of the day: That cache really logged some miles!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: Put it back exactly where you found it
Cachers must return the cache to the same coordinates so others can find it.
Groan of the day: Put it back, no cache-and-run!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: Stuff We All Get
SWAG is a backronym for stuff we all get, meaning trade items in caches.
Groan of the day: Trade fair and square!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: Muggles
People unfamiliar with geocaching are called muggles, borrowed from the Harry Potter books.
Groan of the day: Keep an eye out for muggles!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: It was vandalized or stolen
A cache vandalized or stolen by someone unfamiliar with geocaching is said to be muggled.
Groan of the day: Muggled caches need a re-hide!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: Someone knows where you are if something goes wrong
Using the buddy system means someone can help or get aid if you need it.
Groan of the day: Two heads find more caches!
Sources: Scouting America: Geocaching
Short answer: Your plan and route
Sharing your plan helps others know where you are and when to expect you.
Groan of the day: Plan ahead, cache instead!
Sources: Scouting America: Geocaching
Short answer: Weather that could affect safety and comfort
Checking the weather helps you prepare for heat, cold, storms, or rain.
Groan of the day: Weather or not, be prepared!
Sources: Scouting America: Geocaching
Short answer: A specific point marked by coordinates
A waypoint is a specific location marked by coordinates on a GPS unit.
Groan of the day: Way to point it out!
Sources: Scouting America: Geocaching
Short answer: How hard the cache is to find
Difficulty ratings tell how hard a cache is to find, while terrain covers the hike.
Groan of the day: Difficult, but not impossi-cache!
Sources: Scouting America: Geocaching
Short answer: How hard the route and ground are
Terrain ratings describe the physical effort and ground conditions to reach a cache.
Groan of the day: Terrain can be a real pain!
Sources: Scouting America: Geocaching
Short answer: An item moved from cache to cache and logged online
Trackables like Travel Bugs move between caches and their travels are logged online.
Groan of the day: Track it, don't pocket it!
Sources: Scouting America: Geocaching
Short answer: A hitchhiker item with a goal that moves between caches
Travel Bugs are hitchhikers moved from cache to cache, often with specific goals.
Groan of the day: Bugs that travel, not bug you!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: Picking up litter while geocaching
CITO means picking up litter while searching for caches to help the environment.
Groan of the day: Cache in, trash out, feel great!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: So it is not mistaken for something harmful
Labels help non-geocachers see the container is a game piece, not a threat.
Groan of the day: Label it, don't fear it!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: They are unhygienic and attract animals
Food is disallowed because it is unhygienic and can attract animals to the cache.
Groan of the day: No snacks in the stash!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: A cache with several stages leading to the final container
Multi-caches have stages, and each stage gives coordinates or clues for the next.
Groan of the day: Multi-stage, multi-fun!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: A cache you must solve a puzzle to locate
Mystery caches require solving puzzles, from simple math to harder challenges.
Groan of the day: Puzzle it out, then cache it!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: A cache with no physical logbook at an interesting place
Virtual caches have no physical logbook and are at interesting or unique places.
Groan of the day: Virtually there, really fun!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: Learning geology at a special site
EarthCaches teach geology, and visitors answer questions about the site's features.
Groan of the day: Rock on with EarthCaches!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: A cache combined with a letterbox that uses a rubber stamp
Letterbox hybrids combine a geocache and a letterbox with a rubber stamp and logbook.
Groan of the day: Stamp of approval!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: A gathering of geocachers at a set time
Event caches are gatherings where geocachers meet, and attendees can log attendance.
Groan of the day: Event caches are a meet-cute!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: An event with at least 300 Will Attend logs
Mega-Events need at least 300 Will Attend logs before they qualify.
Groan of the day: Mega fun for everyone!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: An event with 5,000 or more geocachers
Giga-Events must have 5,000 or more geocachers attending.
Groan of the day: Giga crowds, giga finds!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: Hunting a cache without a printed description
Paperless geocaching means viewing cache info electronically instead of on paper.
Groan of the day: Paperless, not clueless!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: GPX
GPX files hold cache descriptions and waypoint data for GPS devices.
Groan of the day: GPX marks the spot!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: It may list restrictions like park hours
Descriptions can warn about limited hunt times, park hours, and off-limit areas.
Groan of the day: Read first, seek second!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: It helps when GPS signals are weak or batteries fail
Map and compass skills help you navigate if GPS is unavailable or unreliable.
Groan of the day: Compass points the way to fun!
Sources: Scouting America: Geocaching
Short answer: It gives your position and coordinates directly
GPS shows your location and coordinates, which is handy for finding caches.
Groan of the day: GPS: Great Positioning System!
Sources: Scouting America: Geocaching
Short answer: Avoid it and report the problem
Hides in risky places like electrical boxes are discouraged, so avoid and report them.
Groan of the day: Stay safe, don't zap!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: Use discretion and explain geocaching if asked
Cachers should use discretion and can explain the game to law enforcement or others.
Groan of the day: Be cool, cache calmly!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: So finders do not trespass
Caches placed without permission can encourage finders to trespass on private land.
Groan of the day: Permission first, hiding second!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: Retrieve them to clean up
Geocachers are encouraged to retrieve old containers once a cache is removed from play.
Groan of the day: Take it back, keep it clean!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: A very small container that may hold only a log sheet
Nano caches are tiny, sometimes smaller than a fingertip, and hold only a log sheet.
Groan of the day: Nano cache, mighty find!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: They are sturdy, waterproof, and animal resistant
Ammo cans are sturdy, waterproof, animal and fire resistant, and hold trade items.
Groan of the day: Ammo cans are can-do containers!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: They are easier to hide
Small containers are easier to hide in busy urban places.
Groan of the day: Small hides, big smiles!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: A UV torch
Night caches are intended to be found at night, often using a UV torch.
Groan of the day: Night caches glow with fun!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: A cache requiring you to complete a geocaching task first
Challenge caches require completing a geocaching-related task before logging a find.
Groan of the day: Challenge accepted, cache found!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: A cache found after finding others in a series
Bonus caches usually require finding other caches, often in a series, before finding them.
Groan of the day: Bonus cache, extra joy!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: A scavenger hunt where you find a described object
Locationless caches give a description of something to find, like a scavenger hunt.
Groan of the day: Locationless, but not luckless!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: A set of waypoints that often form a walking tour
Adventure Labs are sets of waypoints, often themed walking tours, with questions to answer.
Groan of the day: Lab out loud, it's fun!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: A cache where you capture your image on a public webcam
Webcam caches use a public webcam, and finders capture their image for verification.
Groan of the day: Smile, you're on cache-cam!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: They tell you things like wheelchair accessibility
Attributes describe features like wheelchair accessibility that help you plan your hunt.
Groan of the day: Attributes add up to fun!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: To record who found the cache and when
Geocachers sign the log with their username and date it to prove they found the cache.
Groan of the day: Log it or it didn't happen!
Sources: Geocaching
Short answer: Burying a cache is against geocaching rules
Geocaching guidance says never bury a cache, so hides should sit above ground where finders can reach them.
Groan of the day: Don't dig yourself into a hole!
Sources: Scouting America: Geocaching
Short answer: Dispose of waste properly and pack it out
Leave No Trace principles apply to geocaching, including disposing of waste properly and packing out what you bring.
Groan of the day: Leave no trace, just a happy face!
Sources: Scouting America: Geocaching
Short answer: How close your reported position is likely to be
Accuracy describes how close your GPS position reading is likely to be to your true location.
Groan of the day: Accuracy counts, especially when caching!
Sources: Scouting America: Geocaching
Short answer: Proper attire suited to the weather and terrain
Planning should consider weather, route, and proper attire so you stay comfortable and safe.
Groan of the day: Dress for the quest, not the couch!
Sources: Scouting America: Geocaching
Short answer: Plan around the weather and take breaks in shade
Heat reactions are a geocaching hazard, so plan for the weather and take steps to prevent heat exhaustion.
Groan of the day: Stay cool, cache on!
Sources: Scouting America: Geocaching
The whole guide on one screen. Screenshot it, print it, stick it on the fridge.
Think of your answer first, then peek.
Signals from satellites. GPS receivers listen to signals from satellites to calculate where you are on Earth.
How hard the cache is to find. Difficulty ratings tell how hard a cache is to find, while terrain covers the hike.
Learning geology at a special site. EarthCaches teach geology, and visitors answer questions about the site's features.
Avoid it and report the problem. Hides in risky places like electrical boxes are discouraged, so avoid and report them.
A scavenger hunt where you find a described object. Locationless caches give a description of something to find, like a scavenger hunt.
Read a chapter, then play the deck and see how much stuck.
This guide covers the 50 free cards. The other 4 are in the game for members.
▶ Play Stuff Every Geocaching Scout Should Know Find another deck Founding Members: spots are open
Teacher or trainer? It's free for teachers, and you can embed this deck on your own site.