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News Release
High Tech Treasure Hunt Makes Exploring Anchorage A Real Adventure: Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau introduces Geocaching tour
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – June 29, 2007 – Discovering Anchorage’s hidden treasures is a high-tech odyssey with Geocaching Journeys, a hands-on adventure experience that combines GPS (Global Positioning Systems) technology, riddles, puzzles, geography, and sleuthing skills in a seek-and-find game that is sweeping the nation. Developed in partnership by the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) and its school business partner, Central Middle School of Science, Geocaching Journeys will launch June 29, 2007, at 1 p.m., simultaneously at the ACVB downtown Visitor Information Center and at Geocaching.com. Anchorage’s Geocaching Journeys is a state-of-the-art, citywide trek that provides entertainment, education and excitement for the individual, family or group, whether an Anchorage resident or an out-of-town guest.
Geocaching is a discovery game that is all about the hunt and the participant’s ability to discern clues and problem solve. It combines a traditional tour, nature walk or intense hike with coordinates on a GPS unit. The combination of clues, hints and GPS coordinates help gamers navigate to various locations where ultimately, they search for a hidden cache. Once found, players log their find at the site, and, depending on the size and nature of the hidden cache, may take a prize from the location and leave another behind of equal value for the next player to discover. Geocachers then log their discoveries on Geocaching.com, the certified Web site for Geocaching.
Developed with the help of eighth graders enrolled in Anchorage’s Central Middle School of Science’s Landmark Program, ACVB’s Geocaching Journeys will debut with three new Geocache locations within the Anchorage bowl: Anchorage, Big Wild Life™; Trailbreaker and Icebreaker. Students helped select, name and create the three new cache locations, as well as provided input for existing favorite cache locations to include in the program throughout Anchorage, Eagle River and Girdwood. Students also provided a day of training for ACVB staff to better understand the art and appeal of Geocaching.
“Geocaching Journeys and Geocaching in general take exploring Anchorage to an entirely new level and is fun for the entire family; hunting for treasure is a stimulating experience, whether you’re six or 60,” said Julie Saupe, president and CEO of the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Caches are located throughout the Municipality of Anchorage, allowing Geocachers to truly experience Alaska’s gems, including panoramic vistas, lush wilderness, a variety of trails, abundant wildlife, Alaska art, culture, downtown and history.
Geocaching is a fast-growing travel trend that has quickly become a passion for people of all ages. The first cache started on May 3, 2000, just one day after the U.S. government removed selective availability on global positioning satellites allowing anyone with a GPS receiver access to signals from 24 satellites around the globe. The improved signal strength allowed GPS users to get a few feet of coordinates. A computer consultant outside of Portland, Ore., wanted to test GPS accuracy and stashed a black bucket containing videos, books, software and a slingshot in the woods. He posted the coordinates online along with one simple rule – “take some stuff, leave some stuff.” Within three days, two online readers visited the site. By May 30, 2000, the term Geocaching was coined – “geo” for geography and “cache” for a hiding place. By Sept. 2, 2000, one month after the GPS restrictions were removed, there were 75 known caches in the world. Today, there are more than 417,000-recorded caches worldwide.
The students at Central’s Landmark Program learned of this engaging past time during a course on geospatial technology. Students investigated Global Positioning Satellites (GPS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Remote Sensing (RS) as part of their curricular studies.
“Geocaching has been an exciting way for my students to expand their knowledge and create legacy projects for future generations,” said Michael Warren, language arts teacher and Landmark program director at Central Middle School of Science.
A Geocaching brochure, developed by Central Middle School students, Warren and ACVB, will be available at all ACVB Visitor Information Centers to introduce Geocachers to the game in Anchorage. As part of the program, ACVB has also developed a special Web site, at www.Anchorage.net/Geo.
Currently, Geocachers must have their own GPS units to play. Along with Geocaching, players may opt to “Waymark” their way around town. A Waymark is a physical location on the planet marked by coordinates (latitude and longitude). Players use their GPS to find places of interest in Anchorage. The prize is the place! Waymarking is an excellent way to take in the sights and sounds of the city.
“Whether you’re using your GPS to go Waymarking or Geocaching, you’re in for an adventure. There’s always a treasure and a surprise at the end,” said Warren.
The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage. ACVB’s marketing functions are funded by one-third of the bed tax collected by the lodging association. One-third goes to the Municipality’s general fund and one-third goes to the Anchorage Civic & Convention Center construction project. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. Explore www.Anchorage.net for more information.
Media Contacts:
Shelly Wozniak
Nance Larsen, APR
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