They’ll wade across soggy fields, traverse frozen lakes in gale-force winds and explore the northern-most tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula--all to locate a key ring, a sticker or even a coin.

These modern-day techno-explorers are geocaching, using handheld global positioning systems to search out “treasure” in remote areas. With names like Soggy Boots, Cave Boy Ken and GeoChick, they represent one of the hottest emerging recreation activities.

For some, geocaching is an opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy time with family and friends. Others enjoy the sense of accomplishment when they locate a tricky cache.

Geocacher Mike Landis of Ann Arbor once braved a “hellacious wind chill” to hike eight miles across Saginaw Bay to Heisterman’s Island in search of a cache. He also was forced to dive to the ground to avoid a young bald eagle while searching for a cache along a narrow, tree-lined path in Ludington State Park.

"The whoosh of air over its wings as it passed over was very loud," Landis said. "I stood up and watched in awe as it glided down the path and out of sight into the woods. I don’t think it ever flapped its wings."

Andrew Waldron of Allendale started geocaching with his wife, Stephanie, so they could enjoy the outdoors together. His first cache find in May 2004 required wading through a flooded field to locate a pretzel jar with trinkets. As he read the logbook inside the jar, he was impressed with the creative names everyone used and struggled to find his own identity.

“We spent quite a bit of time sitting on the log pondering what the perfect name could be for us,” Waldron said. “I then noticed we all had VERY wet feet, so the Soggy Boots Clan was born.”

As this recreation activity continues to grow, the Parks and Recreation Division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources implemented a policy in April 2004 after park staff began finding caches that were hidden underwater, high on dangerous ledges and buried in areas of sensitive plants and flowers. The policy allows geocaching in any state park or recreation area with a $35 use permit approved by the park manager. The policy also encourages virtual caching of trail markers and other natural features in the park by waiving the fee.

The goal of the policy isn’t to prevent geocaching, but to ensure that cachers aren’t endangering others or the natural resources in the park.

“Digging holes to hide caches and leaving establish trails can cause damage to native vegetation,” said Ray Fahlsing, state park stewardship manager. “We really want to educate people that geocaching can be a fun activity for everyone when it’s conducted on established trails and doesn’t alter or damage the landscape.”

To aid in the education efforts, Brighton, Pinckney and Waterloo Recreation Areas are holding a Geocaching Camping Weekend May 14-15. A total 15 caches will be secreted in the three parks and coordinates distributed to registered campers at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

“This isn’t a contest to see who can find the caches first,” said Jon LaBossiere, manager at Pinckney Recreation Area. “Instead, it’s a nice walk in the woods for the participants; an opportunity to explore the natural features of these three outstanding recreation areas, to learn about geocaching, but also to appreciate the wildlife, native plants and other features preserved in our state parks.”

Information about the camping weekend is posted on the Michigan Geocaching Organization’s Web site at www.mi-geocaching.org. All cache searchers must agree to abide by the group’s rules, which are similar to the Parks and Recreation Division’s policy.

The group also cares about protecting Michigan’s natural resources, and organized a volunteer “Cache In Trash Out” program in mid-April to encourage cachers in our state to collect and carry out any litter or garbage found while the searchers are in the woods.

“It’s not about finding a box of trinkets in the woods to be sure,” Landis said. “It’s the journey, your experience on the way to the cache.”

A Michigan State Park motor vehicle permit is required for entry. To make camping reservations for any of the parks, go to the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr, or call toll-free 800-44-PARKS.