GeoHunt is an educational exploration, similar to geocaching, that introduces children to elements and power of GEOINT in hopes of getting them excited about a future in geospatial intelligence. The experience from this project benefits the GEOINT Community by engaging children in geospatial technologies at a young age. As the YPG further develops this project, the group plans to customize the project for various locations throughout the country.

The first ever GeoHunt took place Aug. 19 and proved to be hugely successful in promoting and supporting the future of the tradecraft. Roughly 20 YPG volunteers from USGIF member organizations GeoEye, RadiantBlue, SI Organization and Skybox Imaging taught 20 children from the Greater Washington Boys and Girls Club about the basic principles of geospatial intelligence and its importance. Kids arrived at the National Mall and were separated into groups with YPG volunteers and chaperones. Using Android-based tablets, YPG volunteers coached kids on how to use satellite imagery and a map overlay to navigate around the Mall. YPG volunteers built into a Google Earth viewer pinpoints that contained questions that could only be solved by visiting the physical location. In order to move from one pinpoint to the next location, groups had to use the map, their surroundings and each other to discover the answers. Kids emailed their answers back to a GeoHunt home base by using Google Chat. In addition to establishing a basic understanding of GEOINT, the activity also gave kids the chance to use cool technologies like Google Maps and Google Chat.

In addition to volunteering your time for the GeoHunt service project, the USGIF YPG GeoHunt is always looking for generous donations from our Members. Sponsorships currently available include lunches, snacks and giveaways for participants. Customized sponsorships are also available.

Donations received could make your organization an official sponsor of this and future YPG service projects where the materials are used. As a sponsor, your organization would receive recognition on all marketing materials and t-shirts worn by YPG volunteers and children.

Developed in 2009, the USGIF Young Professionals Group (YPG) serves to unite junior GEOINT professionals within the Defense and Intelligence communities. This group offers events and programs that parallel the Foundation’s mission of advancing the geospatial intelligence tradecraft by utilizing the unique dynamics of our young professional membership based off of their needs and wants from this group. Learn more about the YPG and what we do.

Interested in being a sponsor? Contact the USGIF YPG at [email protected] If your organization would like to be a sponsor or volunteer for GeoHunt.