Google added the Google Earth plugin to their Google Maps site. If you haven’t already downloaded the plugin, you can now do so through Google Maps. 
Our Crew Chief, Mark Young II, collects manhole data with the Town of Smyrna, TN. He is usually paired with one of three (water and sewer) department staff and averages about 50 manholes a day. While collecting manhole data with Freddy Hedgepath, they hit a wave of momentum and collected data for 96 manholes before having to retire early for office work that afternoon. “If we can get 96 (manholes) in less than a full day, we can get to 100!” Mark explained that the competition started when he boasted Freddy’s numbers to the other two department staff he shares data collection hours with. 
The high collection number not only fired up competition among the three Smyrna staff members, but also increased their productivity, satisfaction, and responsibility in the data collection process. ”They (Smyrna Staff) were focused on getting the numbers and doing it right. It was no longer just another day collecting manholes.” The beauty behind the competition was that it was fertilizing business growth in an exciting and fun way. What ensued was a three week sprout of heavy data collection, with each day getting closer to that 100 mark. The competition ended when Mark and Smyrna staff member, Jason Schuler, collected 101 manholes before finally pooping out (those things are heavy!). The competition pushed out short term data collection efficiency up to 200% and has since influenced their overall data collection productivity 115%.
How could such a small goal make such a big splash? A lot of things came into play that you might not think about… Smyrna hired three competitive employees to work with Mark on the project. All three guys respect their co-workers to the point where “a little competition” won’t affect their personal relationships with one another. There was no bonus or extra vacation day given to the winner. The competition offered a mere ego boast to the winner. The weather did not stop (because of rain/storms) their data collection efforts for longer than two days in a row, enabling a continuous catalyst for competition. The goal was attainable and simple, making it more desirable to reach. Mark although a major part of the project was seen as a buffer, coach, and referee enabling the workers to feel like the competition was fair to all. The goal was set by a fellow employee, not the boss, so it was perceived as a choice rather than a “do it or get fired” necessity.
So if your other data collectors are getting a little pooped out from the “same ole, same ole,” don’t be a meadow muffin, try adding a little fun competition to their day!
Step 1 – - Check out www.geocaching.com to read about/sign up/ and find the geocaches currently in/near your geocaching event. You should also read “Cache Listing Requirements and Guidelines.”
Step 2 – - Using a GPS find the geocaches near the location of your geocaching event. You could use them in your event and/or make sure that you’re caches aren’t close to those already hidden.
- Register for a free basic membership at www.geoaching.com?
- Click “Hide & Seek a Cache.”
- Enter the postal code of your event
- choose any geocache from the list and click on its name.
- Enter the coordinates of the geocache into your GPS device.
- Use your GPS device to assist you in finding the hidden geocache.
Step 3 — While searching for the caches, also capture your geocaching event locations. We suggest using a more accurate GPS device, like the Trimble Juno SC.
Step 4– Tranfer your points to a KML file and upload them to Google Maps and/or Google Earth. We did this to check over our points and measure the approximate miles traveled between caches. We don’t deem this step necessary, but it is still a lot of fun.
Transfer File into Google Maps
- Upload data from your GPS device into Pathfinder Office and save it as a KML file.
- Open Google Maps and log into your Google account.
- Go to “My Maps”
- “Create New Map”
- Import the KML file, make any editing changes, and click “Done.”
Transfer File into Google Earth
- Upload data from your GPS device into Pathfinder Office and save it as a KML file.
- Open Google Earth
- Click “File”
- Click “Open”
- Find your saved KML file
- Click “Open”
Oh, That's Where He Hid It!
Step 5 — Purchase inexpensive containers. We suggest purchasing small plastic paint containers (microcaches) for the event from Wal-Mart. You can keep the paint in the container or clean them out and put other things in them.
Step 6 — The day before the event, take your points and hide the caches. If you don’t know who is going to be apart of the event, try to avoid placing caches in dangerous/hazardous areas that could be harmful to others. Follow along with your GPS device as if you were in the cache. (We found a few issues with our locations that could have been avoided by following our GPS device more precisely.)
Step 7 –Email the geoacaching locations map you created to the geocachers signed up for the event (You can also email links to the google maps you created). Make sure each point is attributed correctly with at least the latitude and longitude, cache name, and any other comments or hints you would like to give the geocachers. Don’t forget to include a meeting location and time in your email!
Step 8 –Create questions about each cache that could only be answered if the cache was found by the geocachers. Print off enough for everyone in the event and make sure you bring pens/pencils for those who need them. Also print off the latitude and longitude list of all the attributes in case the geocachers did not previously store the points from the email you sent them prior to the event.
Step 9 — Go over the rules and hand out all of the information. Consider taking away points for people not back within a set time. For our last event, each correctly answered cache question was worth 4 points but for any geocachers out past two hours, 1 point was reduced for each minute late.
Step 10 –Enjoy the event and make sure everyone gets back safely. Go back and pick up the caches you placed. If you plan on leaving the caches, fill out the online form on the geocaching website under “Hide & Seek A Cache” (you must be logged in).
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