Augmented Reality Gaming at Flying Moose

What is it?

A context sensitive GPS and Pocket-PC educational computer game, place-based
in the woods and mountains in a 3-5 mile radius of Flying Moose Lodge, in East
Orland, Maine.

Constraints

• kids will be running through the woods, (and canoeing) so the devices must
  be sturdy, and semi weatherproof.


• when kids run through the woods, they need to be supervised.


• due to the nature/tradition of the camp, only one group of 3-5 kids and one
  counselor will be sent out at one time.


• due to the cost of the equipment, and the uncertainty of prototyping, only
  one GPS unit (and one Pocket PC) can be bought.

Needs/suggestions

• Local terrain representations


• maps


• GPS coordinates


• satellite photographs


• Appropriate puzzles, problems, or challenges, triggered at specific that
  lead to the next location
  
  
  
  • Leave No Trace® -- example: stand over the best place
    to start a fire at this campsite. Answer is to stand over the established
    (or not) fire pit. At which point, directions to the next hiking location
    may be revealed.
  
  
  • First Aid -- example: Face North. Now turn left10 degrees
    for each of the types of cuts there are. Next, hike 1000 feet for each occurrence
    in a distress signal. Answer is 4 types of cuts, and three blasts
    in a distress signal, so they'd turn 40 degrees West, and walk 3000
    feet to the next location.
  
  
  • Survival Notes -- example: Hike half a mile in the direction
    that moss is said to grow on a tree. Answer: North.
  
  
  • Flying Moose trivia: Face North. Turn left 20 degrees
    for each degree of declination (round off) on your map. Hike 1/4 mile
    for each of the tents at FML.
  
  
  • other and better ideas..
  
  
  
  

Videos

• if video interviews are used to convey information, shoot them as close ups
  of the face, or make the background nondescript so the players aren't bothered
  by a disconnect in place.