daVinci Days-- Corvallis Oregon's 3-day festival celebrating art, science and technology

Corvallis Oregon's 3-day festival celebrating art, science & technology

Arts & Exhibits | Music & More | Races & Revelry | Sci & Tech | For Kids

GPS & Geocaching

Friday, July 18: 5pm-8pm
Saturday, July 19: 10am-5pm
Sunday, July 20: 10am-5pm
OSU Lower Campus: N44° 33.952 W123° 16.322

Global Positioning Systems

Whether it's GIS, GPS, or geocaching, we've got the facts and answers for your questions. Check out the demos. Meet fellow geocachers. Talk to the experts about hardware and systems options: Garmin, Magellan, Trimble, Tripod Data Systems, and Laser Technology.

Geocaching @ da Vinci: Where you are the search engine!

Are you a sleuth at heart, techno-geek, a 21st century explorer, or just curious? Whether a seasoned geocacher or new to this GPS sport, welcome to the Festival's satellite-driven treasure hunt. It's an event for all ages. Great for families and friends!

Here's all you need to know to go geocaching at the Festival.

When
Saturday, July 19: 10am-4pm
Sunday, July 20: 10am-4pm (Prize Competition)
Where
Start at the Geocaching @ da Vinci Booth. For directions, see the Festival Guide (available at the Main Gate). Or, go directly to N44° 33.952 W123° 16.322.
Time Limit (Sunday only)
Geocachers will have 2 hours to find as many Festival caches as possible.
Cache Travel Distance
All caches are located less than one (1) mile from the Geocaching Booth.
Fees
There are no fees but you do need to be a Festival attendee (admission bracelet required).
GPS Units
Bring your own or use a free Festival loaner (credit-card deposit required).
Contest Rules
For a successful geocaching experience, follow these simple rules 60k.
Prizes
Geocachers participating in the Sunday competition are eligible for prizes based on total points accumulated within the 2-hour time limit. Prizes will be awarded at 4:45pm at the Geocaching @ da Vinci Booth. You don't have to be present to win!

GPS & Geocaching FAQs

What's GPS?
The Global Positioning System operates from 24 satellites that orbit the earth. GPS is available worldwide to anyone and everyone at all times and in all kinds of weather. It has created a whole new world of navigation opportunities and pastimes.

Check out Garmin's website for a general overview and a downloadable GPS GUIDE for beginners. Build your knowledge skills with this educational GPS game at Nova Online

How does GPS work?
GPS units receive the low-power radio signals from satellites that are in line of sight. Using triangulation (with at least 3 satellite signals), the units calculate their exact position in latitude and longitude. High-end GPS units are accurate to within 3 meters.

What's Geocaching?
A 21st century addition to English, geocache ("jee-oh-cash") was created by adding the "geo" in geography to "cache," a term for a hidden storage place. Think of geocaching as a treasure hunt. Navigating by a hand-held GPS unit, geocachers go in search of a cache whose whereabouts are identified by latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates.

Caches are of all kinds. They may contain a treasure, be part of a riddle or puzzle, or require expert skills to reach (rock climbing, anyone?). The possibilities are limitless! Geocaching is for the fun of it. It's always location, location, location!

Where did Geocaching get its start?
Geocaching started right here in Oregon in May 2000 at N45° 17.460 W122° 24.800. It has become a sport with more than 550,000 caches located in over 100 countries and on all seven continents!

Is there a Geocaching Network?
Connect with fellow geocachers worldwide! Check out The Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site where you can sign up for online discussion forums, find how-to guides, links to info resources, news updates, and much more. Or, for a more hands-on way to connect, subscribe to Geocacher Magazine.

daVinci Days-- Corvallis Oregon's 3-day festival celebrating art, science and technology