The National Map Corps Home Frequently Asked Questions

The National Map Corps Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the minimum age to volunteer for The National Map Corps?
  People of all ages may volunteer. Young people, under age 18, can volunteer provided that the work does not pose a threat to their health or safety, or violate Federal or State child labor laws or the policies of the agency's volunteer program. A parent or legal guardian must give written consent before a person under 18 years of age may volunteer.
  
  
• How do groups register?
  Groups such as high school classes, Girl Scout troops, and service organizations may work together on a project, but we ask that only one person be registered as a volunteer. This is particularly important if everyone in the group is working on the same area.
  
  
• If I call The National Map Corps toll-free number, when can I expect a reply?
  The National Map Corps office at the Mid-Continent Mapping Center listens to the recordings left on our volunteer answering machine every day. Return calls are made on a priority basis as time permits. We encourage you to make all enquiries regarding technical and procedural issues via e-mail with a return telephone number.
  
  
• What coordinate system is used to collect and display map data for The National Map Corps?
  The coordinates should be in decimal degrees (45.5, NOT 45°30' 00” or 45°30.00'). The datum should be NAD83.
  
  
• How is the data submitted to The National Map Corps office?
  All data collected for The National Map Corps should be submitted to the volunteer office in an Excel spreadsheet or a tab delimited text document. An example of delivery format is available in the The National Map Corps GPS Volunteer Guide.
  
  
• How precise does a structure's name have to be?
  An important part of the data we seek for structures is the full, correct name of the structure. If any feature that you are recording is a named structure, please submit that name along with the coordinates and attribute. For example, submit “John Lee Hooker High School” rather than just “High School,” and “G. T. Thomas Hospital”, rather than “Thomas Hospital” or “Hospital”.
  
  
• Where do volunteers send photographs of themselves or the area they are working?
  The photographs displayed on The National Map Corps web site are selected at random from photographs sent to us by actual volunteers. We ask that all photographs be accompanied with 1) your name, 2) volunteer ID number, 3) date, and 4) location. Photographs may be either digital or paper prints. Photographs will not be returned. By submitting the photographs for review, volunteers are consenting to having their names and images published on The National Map Corps web site. Submission of a photograph does not guarantee that the image will be used. Photographs may be e-mailed to: tnmcorps@usgs.gov, or sent by mail to: The National Map Corps, MS 925, US Geological Survey, 1400 Independence Road, Rolla, MO 65401.
  
  
• Will there be any compensation for my participation?
  Participation in The National Map Corps is strictly voluntary and there is no remuneration associated with the activities of The National Map Corps.
  
  
• Does The National Map Corps participate in court-ordered community service programs?
  The National Map Corps does not participate in court-appointed community service programs.