Global Locator Given to the Team!

This week, V-Team was given equipment that will help us follow their travels from a bird's eye view! A small satelite device was donated to the team by friend & geographer, Marshall W., in Woodland Park. The Spot Locator is a satelite messenger that will allow a vital line of communication with family and friends via GPS networks. The team can also use it in certain parts of the world as an emergency device that will help us locate the team in a crisis.

How it works:

For Tracking the Trip

"Also known as SPOTcastingSM, this feature allows friends and family to follow your progress in real time or to save waypoints so you can review your entire route at a later date." (From Spotme website) The trip will be mapped as it happens and displayed with Google Maps.

For Emergency Situations (a feature that will be best-loved by the team's parents)

"Once activated, SPOT will acquire its exact coordinates from the GPS network, and send that location along with a distress message to a GEOS International Emergency Response Center every five minutes until cancelled. The Emergency Response Center notifies the appropriate emergency responders based on your location and personal information – which may include local police, highway patrol, the Coast Guard, our country’s embassy or consulate, or other emergency response or search and rescue teams – as well as notifying your emergency contact person(s) about the receipt of a distress signal.Once activated, SPOT will acquire its exact coordinates from the GPS network, and send that location along with a distress message to a GEOS International Emergency Response Center every five minutes until cancelled. The Emergency Response Center notifies the appropriate emergency responders based on your location and personal information – which may include local police, highway patrol, the Coast Guard, our country’s embassy or consulate, or other emergency response or search and rescue teams – as well as notifying your emergency contact person(s) about the receipt of a distress signal." (from website)

Now, the team's progress can literally be mapped and tracked, across the globe for a majority of their trip. (The only coverage exceptions will be portions of Uganda, India and Thailand).

Watch for this cool and generous gift to be put to use by V-Team, on the blog, and more!

From the website. Check it out.

http://www.findmespot.com/explorespot/spotmessenger.aspx

The Big Trip Map

Need a visual?
Here's the big trip all mapped out.

V-Team will be going global with one-way tickets around world. They will live in 8+ destinations over the course of 7 months.

Thanks to the generous support of family and friends in the U.S., Andrew, Christian, and Evan will be able to realize a dream that started two years ago in Brazil. And now, after many after-school and late night plans; after many phone calls and support-raising gatherings; and finally; now that the backpacks, passports, visas, shots,cameras and video are set to go; They are ready to leave.

Departure is September 1st, Denver International Airport. From there, the world.

Check out the map and follow their progress. (If it's hard to see, click on the image to enlarge the picture.)