Find packages, adventure and fun at Indiana Dunes State Park’s Geocache Adventures event Jan. 19. Using GPS units, participants will travel the park and nearby Duneland area while completing both outdoor and indoor challenges.

The event will run from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CT, and the park has worked to make it easy to participate, even if you are not an avid geocacher.

“All you need is a GPS unit or the geocaching smart phone application along with a sense of adventure,” said Marie Laudeman, Indiana Dunes State Park interpretive naturalist. “All geocache experience levels are welcome.”

The event will also feature past and present Indiana Dunes artists and photographers in a number of ways. Throughout the day participants will have the opportunity not only to experience their own art, but also to enjoy presentations from Indiana Dunes’ artists of today.

Graham Lee, the great nephew of renowned photojournalist Jun Fujita, will give a presentation at 3 p.m. on the history of his uncle’s Indiana Dunes photography, highlighting his flowers.

“The beauty of the Indiana Dunes has been inspiring many different kinds of artists for generations,” Laudeman said. “Many of these artists' work and words have helped move the appreciation and later preservation of this special park.”

The day’s adventures will end with prizes and awards during the annual chili dump dinner at 4:30 p.m. Participants are invited to bring their own chili or ingredients to dump into the large kettle that will be cooking over a fire at the nature center all afternoon.

“It’s been exciting to work with area partners on planning this year’s adventure,” Laudeman said. “Naturalists, artists, curators and geocaching gurus from the Northwest Indiana Geocachers Association, the Westchester Township History Museum, the Barker Mansion, and other Duneland art organizations have all come together to plan and support this fun-filled special event.”

Participants can learn more about the day’s activities by going to geocaching.com, creating a free account on the site, and searching zip code 46304 to find the event listing.

The event is free after paying the standard park admission of $7 per in-state vehicle or $12 per out-of-state vehicle.

Indiana Dunes State Park (on.IN.gov/indianadunessp) is at 1600 North 25 E. Chesterton, 46304.

To view all DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.

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Media contact: Marie Laudeman, interpretive naturalist, Indiana Dunes State Park, 219-926-1952,mlaudeman@dnr.IN.gov.