'Geocaching 101' offered at Fort Wilkins Historic State Park (MI) Sept. 24

Fort Wilkins Historic State Park will host its Fifth Annual Go Get Outdoors Geocaching 101 event on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free, family-friendly event is open to participants of all ages.

“Participants will spend the day exploring the beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula during fall color season,” said DNR Park Supervisor Robert Strittmatter. “This is an introductory class perfect for anyone not familiar with GPS (global positioning system) devices or the sport of geocaching.”

Geocaching is a modern version of treasure hunting, where GPS coordinates are used to guide participants to the treasure, or “geocache.” The caches typically contain small knickknacks and prizes for those who are able to locate it, and geocachers are encouraged to bring small items they would like to place in the cache for others to enjoy.

The Geocaching 101 event will incorporate caches of varying difficulty placed at sites that are historically, geologically or naturally significant to the Keweenaw Peninsula. Cache lists will be distributed starting at 9 a.m. at the West Barracks building. The event will also feature a treasure hunt for kids at 3 p.m., with prize drawings and a bonfire cookout following at 4 p.m. Participants must be present to win prizes.

This event is sponsored by local businesses and the Fort Wilkins Natural History Association (FWNHA). The FWNHA is a non-profit organization that provides support to Fort Wilkins Historic State Park. For more information, visit www.FortWilkinsNHA.

Located in Copper Harbor at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, Fort Wilkins Historic State Park features a restored 19th Century military post with daily costumed portrayals of soldiers and their families and museum exhibits enlivened by the sights and sounds of army life 160 years ago. Fort Wilkins is one of 11 nationally-accredited museums administered by the Michigan Historical Center, an agency within the Department of Natural Resources. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the outdoor museum is open daily from 8:30 a.m. until dusk through mid-October.

For further details, contact the park at 906-289-4215, (TTY/TDD711 Michigan Relay Center for the hearing impaired), or visit: www.michigan.gov/historicfortwilkins. Camping reservations can be made on line at www.midnrreservations.com or by calling the DNR central reservation system at 800-447-2757.

The Recreation Passport has replaced motor vehicle permits for entry into Michigan state parks, recreation areas and state-administered boating access fee sites. This new way to fund Michigan outdoor recreation opportunities also helps to preserve state forest campgrounds, trails, and historic and cultural sites in state parks, and provides park development grants to local communities.

Michigan residents can purchase the Recreation Passport ($10 for motor vehicles; $5 for motorcycles) by checking "YES" on their license plate renewal forms, or at any state park or recreation area. Nonresident motor vehicles must still display a valid nonresident Recreation Passport ($29 annual; $8 daily) to enter a Michigan state park, recreation area or state-administered boating access fee site; these can be purchased at any state park or recreation area, or through the Michigan e-Store at www.michigan.gov/estore. To learn more about the Recreation Passport, visit www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport or call 517-241-7275.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.