Location, Location, Location

Adventure Starting Location

The Starting Location determines where the map pin associated with your Adventure is displayed. It might be where players can start the Adventure, a convenient parking area, a specific entrance to a large campus, or the central point of an Adventure whose Locations are arranged like the numbers on an old-fashioned clock.

When on a desktop and using the Builder:

  1. Enter the street address, the zip code, or the coordinates into the appropriate spot in the Builder.

  2. Select “View on map.”

  3. IMPORTANT: Drag and drop the map pin until it is located at your desired Starting Location. The coordinates will update to match that new place.

  4. There are many different coordinate formats. You can use any of the formats shown below. Include exact spacing and decimal points!

    • N 47° 38.938 W 122° 20.887 = DDM (Degrees, Decimal Minutes)

    • 47.64896,-122.34811 = DD (Decimal Degrees)

    • N 47°38’ 56.28" W 122°20’53.22" = DMS (Degrees, Minutes, Decimal Seconds)

    (Each of these locations points to one same location: our main office.)

Screenshot of the Adventure Builder.

Other Locations

You then follow a similar process to create the individual Locations for your Adventure.

Get Accurate Coordinates

An accurate location makes the difference between a happy player or a frustrating experience. As described above, when using the Builder on a desktop computer you can drag and drop the orange map pin until it is located at your desired location.

Physically being at the location is the best way to get the most accurate coordinates. Below are tips for getting accurate coordinates using either Google Maps or the Geocaching® App.

 

Using Google Maps on a Phone

  1. Hold your finger on the screen at the correct map location to drop a pin.

  2. Tap that pin to open the description.

  3. Find the coordinates in that description. Example: 47.64896,-122.34811

  4. Tap the coordinates to copy them.

  5. Record the coordinates by pasting it into a notepad, capturing it via a screenshot, or by writing it down exactly as displayed.

  6. Use these coordinates when you return to the Builder. (Remember: you can use any of the formats shown above.)

Using the Geocaching® App

  1. Open the app while you are at the relevant location.

  2. Choose any geocache and start navigating.

  3. From the navigation screen, tap the compass icon.

  4. Wait about 15 seconds for accuracy to settle.

  5. Record the current coordinates (My Location) via a screenshot or by writing it down exactly as displayed.

The screenshots below are from the Geocaching App on iPhone. It will look slightly different on Android devices.

Additional Tips

  1. Hold your smartphone so that it has a clear view of the sky with few or no obstructions.

  2. A dedicated GPS device will give you the most accurate coordinates.

  3. Neither a GPS or smartphone will give you an exact position. At best, you'll get an accuracy of 10 to 15 feet (3 to 5 meters).

  4. Obstructions like tall buildings, cliffs, and bridges can lead to poor accuracy.

Choose any geocache and start navigating.

From the navigation screen, tap the compass icon.

Record the current coordinates