Catch the King Toolkit

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View our toolkit of resources below to help prepare you for the next Catch the King event:

Becoming a Mapper

  • 1) Stay tuned for the 2026 Volunteer Interest Form! Until then, review the volunteer information sheet and watch this video to learn more about participating in CTK.

    In certain regions, you can also dive deeper while mapping by collecting flood water quality samples. Check out Measure the Muck with our partners at Old Dominion University and indicate your interest on our sign up form.

    2) Download & register for the Sea Level Rise app*. It’s free on Apple and Android. *Note: at this time, the Sea Level Rise app requires cellular service or Wi-Fi for mapping.

    3) Use the resources on this Toolkit below! Check out the step-by-step tutorial guides (written & photo-based) on how to use the app, when and where to map, and find upcoming trainings near you.

    You may self-train using the provided resources, however touching base with the CTK Coordinator is recommended to ensure you are set up for success for mapping on the big day. It is highly encouraged to practice mapping in the app prior to the event. You can do this in the “CTK TRAINING” region.

  • Yes! The RSVP form does not commit you to mapping, but it will keep you in the know about trainings, event updates, fun activities, and more engagement for this year.

    If you end up not being able to map, it’s okay! We get it, life is busy. We appreciate your interest and hope to see you next year!

  • Incredible! We love meeting volunteers face-to-face. Stay tuned for a list of in-person trainings and how to register.

    Don’t see one near you? Email the CTK Coordinator to express your interest and we can try to set one up.

  • We’ve got you! Join the CTK Coordinator weekly on Wednesdays from 12-1pm for virtual Office Hours. Beginning on August 19th, you can join directly on Zoom here.

    If that time doesn’t work or you’re ready now, reach out the to CTK Coordinator to schedule a video chat.

The Sea Level Rise App

  • Search for the “Sea Level Rise” app on the App Store or Google Play, and download it to your phone. Sign up for an account using your email!

  • If it’s still on your device, please make sure you are using the most up to date version for the best experience. We are currently operating app version 5.1.0 for Apple and app version 1.1.0 for Android.

    You can find which version you have installed by opening that app and click the 3 lines in the upper lefthand corner. The version you have will be at the bottom on the menu that pops open.

    If your device does not prompt you to install the latest update, you might need to delete and reinstall the app.

    Note: These are the SAME app, despite version number differences. The number represents the upload order to the store and we recently changed server ownership on Google Play.

  • Follow the steps outlined in the tutorial guide to learn how to sign up for official Catch the King regions and events, and drop data points.

    Choose whichever format is best for you:

    You can also follow along with the August 2025 General Training recording.

  • It happens! We ask for your patience as we troubleshoot the issue. Please do one or both of the following:

    • If you think it’s a functional issue that requires developers to fix something, report it in the app! On the main page, select the 3 lines in the upper righthand corner. Click on “Contact Us” and let them know your issue directly. If you can get a screenshot, please include it! The more detailed you are, the better we can fix it.

    • If you think it’s user error, all good! Email the CTK Coordinator and we will get you on the right path.

  • Unfortunately, anything below 70% for GPS signal strength is not going to record accurate pin locations.

    However, you can still help us:

    • Take lots of photos and notes about the flooding where you are and email them to the CTK Coordinator. Notes that may be helpful include where the water is coming from, water depth, what is impacted, etc.

    • Use the Trouble Spots function to drop a singular pin for your general location to indicate there is flooding present. Add a photo and write some notes to describe where you are.

    • Conduct a site clean-up!

    • Share your experience and photos with others on social media and tag Wetlands Watch. Catch the King is also about building awareness!

  • Excellent question! Check out the history on the Background page.

When, Where, & How of Mapping

  • In general, mapping is best during the 1-hour window before and 1-hour window after peak high tide during an amplified high tide or king tide event.

    These dates are predicted by our VIMS research partner and compiled into a tidal flooding calendar.

    You can map any (or multiple) days during the “Wet Run” and Catch the King tide event. We may support additional mapping identified on the calendar.

    Some volunteers and Tide Captains are provided extra permissions in the app to create events outside of these more predictable timeframes (e.g. coastal storms). If you are interested in mapping more, please reach out!

  • During the 1-hour window before and 1-hour window after peak high tide during an amplified high tide or king tide event.

    Discover when peak high tide is near you on any of the following recommended resources:

  • Mappers are welcome to create their own plan and collect data at sites of their own choosing! Choose what is accessible, safe, and fun for you. Use the 2017-2025 Catch the King map to see where volunteers have mapped in the past. You are not restricted to these spots only. From shorelines and roads, to neighborhood storm drains, mapping can be anywhere that is tidally influenced and water extends beyond “normal” conditions.

    For example:

    • A local park or boat ramp

    • City storm drains in accessible, low traffic areas

    • Neighborhood creeks, parks, or wetlands

    • Your private shoreline property

    Coming later this summer will be a list of publicly accessible sites and map for those who want more structured guidance.

    REMINDER: Map at your own risk - stay safe, smart, and vigilant while near flood waters! Do not map on private property without explicit permission from the property owner.

  • There’s a bit of preparation you need to do before you get to this step. Be sure to look at the Toolkit resources to get you ready to do this!

    Follow the steps outlined in the tutorial guides:

    Choose whichever format is best for you:

    You can also follow along with the August 2025 General Training recording.

  • Mapping with others is encouraged! Bring your friends and the whole family. Not only for safety reasons, but for science!

    Repeated mapping (known as replication) is helpful for our VIMS research partner:

    • Mapping side-by-side others helps improve the credibility in data. Different phone models and service providers result in varying GPS coordinates and accuracy measurements.

    • Repeated mapping in the same spot during multiple days of the mapping event improves credibilty as well as helps us understand the extent of flooding as predicted tides vary in heights.

Other FAQs

  • Check out our Tips for Tide Captains (PDF)!

  • We invite you to become a Tide Captain! Check out our info sheet on being a tide captain and let us know you’re ready to take the lead by sending the CTK Coordinator an email.

  • When you fill out our RSVP form, select that you are interested! You will get added to a separate email list and receive further information about training, the day of, etc.

  • You can help us spread the word about the event by sharing the flyer and website with your network.

    During the event:

    Outside of Catch the King:

    • High School students can submit visual art to Tides of Tomorrow: The Jane Brinkley Memorial Arts Contest! Share this information with your favorite students and teachers.

    • You can still join a clean up event and volunteer with one of our partners! LRNow hosts a cleanup monthly.

    • Another important natural resource for our communities is submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV)! Learn how to be a Chesapeake Bay SAV Watcher to help map SAV in the watershed.

    • Located in or around Lancaster, Middlesex, and Northumberland counties? Discover other opportunities and engage with our page on Volunteer River Counties!

    Donations to Wetlands Watch are also greatly appreciated to help keep the Catch the King program going and growing. Businesses or organizations looking to sponsor can email the CTK Coordinator for more details.

Still have questions? Contact the CTK Coordinator.

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