This Month

• Caching in the Huron-Clinton Metroparks: Michigan Parks Offer Award for Geocaching, by Tee King aka Pyewacket
• Try Before You Buy: Virginia Park Geocaching, Sans GPSr, by Tee King aka Pyewacket

The popularity of geocaching is spreading exponentially. Many organizations are climbing aboard the caching bandwagon, realizing that the activity is a positive way to introduce people to both enjoying and protecting the natural landscape of various parks by participating in activities such as CITO. One of these organizations is Huron-Clinton Metroparks in southeast Michigan.

Through demonstrations and programs, Metroparks hopes to attract everyone, from the general public to students in elementary schools through college levels. Metroparks consists of 13 parks located on nearly 24,000 acres along the Huron and Clinton Rivers in the Detroit area. In addition to maintaining the parks and facilities, one of Metroparks' current goals is the construction of a new environmental education center, which will cover approximately 70 acres of one the system's parks. The focus of the facility is the restoration of native ecosystems, plant gardens, aquatic ecosystems and the management of water resources, and the use of sustainable resources.

Through demonstrations and programs, Metroparks hopes to attract everyone, from the general public to students in elementary schools through college levels. One aspect of their education program will feature using the internet and digital technology that allows interactive distance learning. One such example of this education is Metroparks' newly instituted geocaching program.

Metroparks actually encourages geocaching. They invite cachers to file an application in order to receive a permit for hiding caches in the Detroit area parks. A geocaching brochure is available for download on the Metroparks' website and can also be obtained in any park office. The brochure contains the coordinates for each of the hidden caches in each park; these coordinates can also be found on geocaching.com. In addition to the adventure of finding the caches and their usual concealed trinkets and goodies, Metroparks is offering a 2005 Motor Vehicle Annual Permit for finders of all 13 caches. Each cache contains special game cards for the specific find; when all 13 have been accumulated and submitted, along with a score card, the vehicle permit will be awarded. An annual permit for the parks costs $20, making the permit a true treasure in its own right.

Official caches placed by Metroparks range in difficulty and terrain levels, from 1/1 to 3/3. Plan to spend several days caching the parks, as each park offers a wide array of recreation. Available activities include golf, swimming, biking, canoeing/kayaking, fishing, and disc golf. In contrast to many park systems, Metroparks actually encourages geocaching. They invite cachers to file an application in order to receive a permit for hiding caches in the Detroit area parks. As a result, there are many additional caches to be hunted besides the ones hidden by Metroparks.

A picnic and geocaching event will be held on September 11, 2004. Details are sketchy as of this writing, but will be made available by Metroparks at a later date. Please note that some of the parks participate in deer management programs in the autumn, and caching will not be available during those times. Call ahead to ensure that the parks will be open for caching in the fall; contact information is available on the Huron-Clinton Metroparks web site.