Meeting Ideas – Geocaching
Scout Meeting Plan: Geocaching Adventure
Theme: Navigation, Technology, and Outdoor Exploration
Age Group: Scouts
Duration: 75–90 minutes
Objective: Teach basic GPS and navigation skills while encouraging teamwork, problem-solving, and respect for the outdoors
Opening (10 minutes)
- Opening ceremony or flag break
- Scout Promise or Law
- Introduction to geocaching and how it combines technology with outdoor adventure
- Review safety expectations and boundaries
Geocaching Basics (15 minutes)
Leader-led discussion and demonstration covering:
- What geocaching is and how it works
- Types of caches (traditional, multi-cache, virtual)
- How to use a GPS unit or smartphone app
- Geocaching etiquette and Leave No Trace principles
Skill Practice (10 minutes)
- Practise entering coordinates
- Learn how to follow distance and direction indicators
- Discuss accuracy, signal drift, and patience when closing in on a cache
Geocaching Challenge (30–40 minutes)
Divide scouts into patrols.
Options for the challenge:
- Locate pre-set practice caches within the meeting area
- Follow a multi-step cache with clues at each location
- Combine compass bearings with GPS coordinates
At each cache, include a simple task such as:
- Answer a navigation question
- Identify a map symbol
- Tie a basic knot
Ensure each patrol records finds and replaces caches exactly as found.
Review and Reflection (10 minutes)
Group discussion:
- What strategies helped your patrol succeed?
- What challenges did you face using GPS?
- How is geocaching similar to and different from orienteering?
Closing (5 minutes)
- Announcements and upcoming activities
- Scout closing or friendship circle
Materials Needed
- GPS units or smartphones with geocaching apps
- Printed coordinates or maps
- Cache containers and log sheets
- Pencils and small trade items
Leader Notes
- Emphasize staying within boundaries and moving together
- Remind scouts to respect private property and wildlife
- Adapt difficulty based on experience and terrain
Variations
- Indoor geocaching using QR codes
- Night geocaching with reflective markers
- Service-focused geocaching tied to park cleanups
