Minnetrista to Host National Premiere of GPS Adventures

Muncie, IN - Learn all about GPS and the exciting sport of geocaching! GPS Adventures: From Tracking to Treasure Hunting, is coming to Minnetrista June 2 - September 3. Minnetrista is honored to be the venue for the national premiere of this educational traveling exhibit.

"It is always exciting to premiere a national exhibition or program. It invokes a higher level of anticipation for our audience. And with this particular exhibit, we hope to see audiences from throughout the Midwest as geocachers plan their summer vacations. We look forward to welcoming the national sponsors, Groundspeak and Trimble, to the opening day activities. I believe they will be very pleased with the way Minnetrista has programmed around their first major exhibit," says Betty Brewer, CEO at Minnetrista.

GPS Adventures introduces GPS technology - its history, current uses and future possibilities.

GPS (Global Positioning Systems) is now used not only for serious business, but for fun and recreation. The exhibit simulates the increasingly popular, GPS-enabled sport of geocaching by leading visitors on a search for hidden caches as they gain access to four "satellite rooms" rich with experiences. Key messages of the exhibit are shared in these rooms.


Satellite 1: The History of Navigation - Traditional Navigation is complicated. GPS makes it easy.
Satellite 2: The Great Outdoors - The outdoors is for everyone. Be prepared, go play, and Leave No Trace.
Satellite 3: GPS Today - Geocaching is the popular, GPS-enabled sport of worldwide treasure hunting. Currently there are approximately 2 million geocachers worldwide.
Satellite 4: The Future of GPS: GPS is changing the way we live.

Visitors will be exposed to the technology, but will also be learning some important tips about being prepared and staying safe in the great outdoors. The geocaching experience is simulated as visitors explore a maze with four geocache environment rooms: City, Back Country, Local Park, and Historic Site. Each room features a hidden cache and a secret code challenge.

Enticed by the lure of treasure hunting, visitors enter the maze through an orientation room, where they will learn what they need to know before embarking on their treasure hunting adventure: Find four hidden caches (treasures), solve a puzzle to find a secret code, enter each satellite room and stamp your adventure card.

So that visitors can also participate in a real-world geocaching experience, Minnetrista will have GPS receivers available to check out. Caches will be hidden on Minnetrista's campus, and in each of the following counties: Blackford, Delaware, Grant, Henry, Jay, Madison, Randolph and Wayne.

Exhibit admission is $4 child/student; $6 senior; $7 adult. Hours are Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

For more information about the exhibit and related activities, visit www.minnetrista.net, and click on Signal (the GPS Adventures frog), or call (765) 282-4848.

Located along historic White River, Minnetrista includes 40 acres of beautiful gardens and grounds, a modern museum facility, an historic home, Nature Area, numerous sculptures, and a portion of the White River Greenway. Its mission is to create awareness, understanding and appreciation of the natural and cultural heritage of East Central Indiana. Minnetrista serves East Central Indiana with dynamic community activities and exhibits that honor and reflect its mission. For more information about Minnetrista, visit www.minnetrista.net