The following is a guide to help you navigate the Geocaching Adventure Lab® builder. You will be prompted to build the framework of the Adventure before adding individual Locations. Please refer to the Adventure Lab® guidelines before you get started and check out the Adventure Lab tips article and Top 5 tips video for additional support.

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To begin, on your computer use your Geocaching username and password to log into the Adventure Lab builder: labs.geocaching.com/builder

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Adventure Lab is played using the Adventure Lab® app on both iOS and Android. To play, download the Adventure Lab® app.

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Let’s begin! In the builder, select:

You are ready to create an Adventure!

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Builder guide | labs.geocaching.com/builder | last edited May 2023

Builder guide

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Adventure title: Choose a name that represents the overall Adventure experience. This will be displayed in the global directory within the app.

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Adventure description: Describe the overall Adventure experience and what players should expect or need to know ahead of time. Examples include how to find clues, accessibility, distance, storyline, etc.

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Cover image: Choose an image that represents the overall Adventure experience. A simple, text-free image 1125x1050 pixels or larger is best as this image will be automatically cropped and used in several places on your Adventure.

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Adventure Themes: Select up to three themes that best reflect your Adventure. Players can use themes to find Adventures that interest them.

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Create a new Adventure

Adventure starting location: Enter the address, postal code, or coordinates for the Location where players will start the Adventure. Then, select ‘View on map.’ Drag and drop the pin as needed.

Note: coordinates should be written in DD (47.64896,-122.34811), DDM (N 47° 38.938 W 122° 20.887), or DMS (N 47°38’ 56.28” W 122°20’53.22”) formats. See this Help Center article for more information.

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Select Create Adventure:

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Important: Be sure that you have permission for all content, including logos and images. Adventure Lab® logos are available to use, following the Logo Usage Guidelines.

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Create a new Adventure

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Set up the Adventure

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To save Adventure and to �begin adding Locations, select:

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Before adding Locations to the Adventure, here are some tips and features to think about as you prepare:

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Drag and drop Locations: If you are creating a sequential Adventure, you can use the drag and drop feature to adjust the order of Locations to fit within your storyline or theme.

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Tip: Set up the Adventure so that players can visit all Locations within two (2) hours, ideally on foot.

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Note: the majority of Adventure Lab experiences are limited to five (5) Locations. Business partners may have ten (10) or more Locations.

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Sequential vs. nonsequential order:

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• A sequential Adventure requires players to find each Location in the order that you determine. This can create a specific story for the experience.

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• A nonsequential Adventure allows players to find each Location in any order that they choose. This can create a more flexible player experience.

Set up the Adventure

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Create a new Location

Location title(s): Choose names that represent each of the individual Locations.

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Location description(s): Describe the Location(s), including any specific instructions players may need to answer the Location question.

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Description video YouTube ID [optional]: You have the option to include a video with the description of the Location(s) or hints on how to obtain the Location answer(s).

Use the URL from YouTube, for example: https://youtu.be/Ws4kXlfUXUY. Be sure the video is either public or unlisted on YouTube. Private videos will not play.

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Cover image(s): Choose images that represent each of the individual Locations. Recommended size: 1125x1050 or larger.

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Location coordinates: Enter the address, postal code, or coordinates for the Location(s) where players will find the Location answer(s). Then, select ‘View on map.’ Drag and drop the pin as needed.

Example coordinates: N 47° 37.205 W 122° 21.090

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Geofencing distance (in meters): This sets a virtual geographic boundary and alerts players that they are near a Location in the Adventure. Players will answer the Location question here by entering the Location answer into the app. Geofencing ranges from a minimum of 20 meters to a maximum of 500 meters.

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Navigation: In player mode, the Adventure Lab® app allows players to navigate using Apple or Google Maps.

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Create a new Location

Create a new Location

Choose question type: Select Multiple Choice (default) or Single Choice answer for each Location in the Adventure. The Adventure can include both question types.

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Location question: The question(s) or riddle(s) that players need in order to solve the Location answer.

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Location answer: The answer(s) is a code that is found or deciphered at the Location to prove that the player was there. The player will enter the Location answer directly into the app to verify the find. Choose Location answers that are unique and discreet to prevent players from finding the answer online.

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Multiple choice question type: This question type helps players complete your Adventure.

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Create a new Location

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Tips for creating single choice answers

• Specify where numbers versus words are used, or if the answer doesn't use punctuation. For example: “How many birds are in the tree? Enter the number, not the word.”
• Do not use punctuation (such as apostrophes) in the Location answer. Some mobile devices use “smart punctuation” and therefore players have trouble answering the question(s) in your Adventure.

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Tip for creating multiple choice answers

• Randomize the correct selected answer.

Create a new Location

Location completion YouTube ID [optional]: Upload a video for players to watch upon entering the correct Location answer. This can be never-before-seen footage, or a special message. The link must be included, for example: https://youtu.be/Ws4kXlfUXUY.

Note: if a video is added, the video will display instead of any Location completion image or message that has been added.

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Location completion image [optional]: Upload an ‘award’ image for each Location (these may be the same or unique) for when a player completes it.

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Location completion message [optional]: Add a custom message when a player completes each Location.

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Select ‘Create Location’ to save:

IMPORTANT: Adventures can be edited at any time to change the question type. However, when your Adventure is Public you cannot add or remove Locations without disrupting the player experience.

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Create a new Location

Test the Adventure

Once all Locations are added to the Adventure, test it!

Steps to delete test in app:

• Open the app on your mobile phone
• Select the Directory tab (three lines in upper right corner of the screen)
• Scroll until you find the Test Adventure
• Swipe left to delete

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Test steps:

1. From labs.geocaching.com/builder, select the Adventure you are going to test.
2. Select Test. This will generate a new page with a green banner, which indicates a test screen. Note: Geofencing is turned OFF while in test mode.
3. From your mobile phone, scan the QR code to open the Adventure within the Adventure Lab® app. Note: each test version produces a new, unique QR code and link.
4. You can edit and test your Adventure as many times as needed. Be sure to delete each previous version of the test on web and in the app (see below). If old test versions are not deleted, answers will appear “incorrect” when you try to answer them. Be careful not to delete your Adventure, only the test versions. If you delete your Adventure, your Adventure credit will not be restored. To test again after edits are made, create a new “test snapshot” and scan the new QR code. The old test version QR codes will no longer work correctly.
5. For others to test, share the unique URL or QR code to the Adventure with them.

Steps to delete test on web:

• On computer, open the web builder
• Revisit the test screen
• Select Delete Test

Test the Adventure

Set up the Adventure

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From the builder at labs.geocaching.com/builder select the Adventure. In the drop-down menu, you can choose between Off, Private, or Public. There is no review process for Adventure Lab.

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• Off: Adventure is not live, will not appear in the global directory, and is not playable within the app.
• Private: Adventure is live, will not appear in the global directory, but is playable within the app by opening the unique URL or QR code with a mobile phone. We recommend that you DO NOT test your Adventure in this mode, but use the ‘Test’ mode.
• Public: Adventure is live, will appear in the global directory, and is playable within the mobile app by anyone.

Note: Adventures must be set to Public unless Geocaching HQ has given written permission otherwise. There is no review process for Adventure Lab, but all Adventures must follow the Adventure Lab guidelines. Adventures that do not follow the current guidelines may be removed.

Almost done! Make your Adventure ‘Public’

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Important: Locations must be ready to find before turning on the Adventure. Once the Adventure is completed by a player, you cannot delete or add Locations without disrupting the experience and point system for players! Edits to the Adventure description or Locations can be made in the builder anytime.

Time: Players can see an approximate time to complete each Adventure (calculated automatically once an Adventure has at least five completions).

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Filters: Players can filter in the app for new Adventures, completion status, estimated time, and Adventure type (sequential or nonsequential).

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Set up the Adventure

FAQ

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1. Do players need a Geocaching.com account to play on the Adventure Lab® app?
• Yes. It is free to create a Geocaching.com account.
2. How do I share my Adventure with others?
• Share the unique URL or QR code to the Adventure with others to direct them to the Adventure. If your Adventure is set to Public it will appear in the map for players.
3. The QR code did not direct me to the Adventure, what should I do?
• First, make sure you have downloaded the latest version of the Adventure Lab® app.
• iOS:
• Scan the QR code from your camera app instead of using a QR code reader.
• Type the URL into the Safari web browser on your iPhone and it will prompt the Adventure to open in app (note: if Safari is not the default web browser on your iPhone you will need to set it as the default from your iPhone settings).
• Android:
• Type the URL into the Google search bar to prompt the Adventure to open in app.

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• Can an Adventure be downloaded for offline play?
• At this time, Adventures cannot be downloaded for offline play.
• Can I use HTML or other formatting to create my Adventure in the web builder?
• Not at this time. The Adventure Lab web builder does not support special formatting.
• Are Adventure Locations reviewed?
• No, there is no review process for Adventures. However, all Adventures must follow the Adventure Lab guidelines. Adventures that do not follow the current guidelines may be removed.
• Can I use the official Adventure Lab® logos to promote my Adventure?
• Yes, you may use these official Adventure Lab logos. Follow the Logo Usage Guidelines when using any official Adventure Lab or Geocaching logos.

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For more details on creating an Adventure, see the Geocaching.com Help Center and public forums.

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