Geocaching to be featured at park event

This year’s OK Kids Day at Lovewell State Park on April 18 promises to be a fun and educational day where kids can participate in hands-on activities. The feature event will be an outdoor scavenger hunt using GPS technology, called “geocaching.” Crystal Fangmeier, University of Nebraska Extension Specialist, will present a clinic on basic GPS technology and basic geocaching, a high-tech version of a scavenger hunt using GPS coordinates to find “treasure” caches. OK Kids participants will have the opportunity to learn from the presentations and hands-on activities.

Geocaching is quickly becoming a favorite hobby for outdoor enthusiasts nationwide. This is the second year for Lovewell State Park to conduct a geocaching contest. A statewide contest, which begins May 1, encourages participants to find as many geocache sites as possible at 31 state park and public land locations across the state of Kansas. Camping permits and camping cabin stays are awarded as prizes to winners of the statewide contest.

Registration for Lovewell OK Kids Day will begin at 8 a.m. at the state park office, and activities will start at 9 a.m. at the Willow Group Shelter. Registration is necessary for participants to be eligible for the grand prize drawing of a GPS unit to one lucky winner, as well as other prizes that will be given away in a random drawing. Each participant will also receive an OK KIDS Day T-Shirt. At noon, a fish fry will be provided through a free-will donation. Activities will conclude by 2 p.m.

OK Kids Day is a statewide event sponsored by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Kansas Wildscape Foundation, Kansas Health Foundation, and the Kansas Parks and Recreation Association, with corporate sponsorship from Bass Pro Shops, State Farm Insurance, Duckwall-Alco stores, and others. Events are coordinated in many state parks and communities throughout Kansas to promote outdoor activities for children. Vehicle permits will be required.

For more information in this event, phone 785-753-4971 or email lovewellsp@wp.state.ks.us.

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