Challenges — both outdoor and indoor — await attendees of the 12th annual Dunes Geocache Adventure in Chesterton.

Participants depart from Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center Jan. 19 and use handheld Global Positioning System units or a geocaching smartphone application to search for a cache of items.

“It is a competition so you will see racing to try and check off all 12 of the challenges, but others are just enjoying the day and going to the programs or locations they would like to,” said Marie Laudeman, interpretative naturalist at Indiana Dunes State Park.

“There are some locations you will have to hike at least a half mile to get there. Then everybody comes back together at 4 o’clock in the nature center. Volunteers and staff are adding up scores. At 4:30 p.m. we announce the winners.”

One does not have to be an experienced geocacher to take part.

“We take time with our new geocachers to make sure they have the application and learn about this fun outdoor activity,” said Laudeman, of Chesterton.

“When you’re outside geocaching a lot of times you’ll notice something you never noticed. You can really learn to appreciate the Dunes in the wintertime as well.”

She credited Northwest Indiana Geocachers member Nancy Lakin, of Chesterton, and her family for helping with this year’s event.

Indiana Dunes State Park also has been working with the Barker Mansion in Michigan City, the Westchester Township History Museum in Chesterton and other Duneland art organizations.

“This year’s theme is ‘Artists of the Dunes,’ ” Laudeman said.

“In order to have an art theme you definitely want your visitors to experience art in some way so visitors will have that opportunity to create their own art and then also hear presentations from professional artists. There will be history involved, which we have seen at every Dunes Geocache Adventure.

“Some photos and historical information have been presented. To give an idea of the diversity of art that will be covered, we’ll focus on a Duneland painter, a Duneland etcher, drama, poetry, open air painters, acting, glass art, watercolors, fine printmaking, pottery, outdoor public art and photography.”

With the support of the Friends of Indiana Dunes, the nature center presents Graham Lee, great-nephew of the late Jun Fujita, at 3 p.m.

“Jun Fujita’s work involves photographs of the Indiana Dunes back in a time when a lot of people from Chicago were just learning about this natural resource treasure,” Laudeman said.

“Graham has done a lot of work into the history of his great-uncle and will highlight his life and his legacy but focus on his great-uncle’s photographic works in the Dunes, especially his great-uncle’s wildflower photography.”

Dunes Geocache Adventure concludes with the chili dump dinner, which is created from ingredients participants bring and place in the large kettle and is served during the presentation of prizes and awards.

“That’s a lot of fun. Volunteers will be cooking everybody’s chili ingredients for about six to eight hours. Then we all come together and eat the chili, which is surprisingly delicious,” Laudeman said.

It is a busy weekend for Indiana Dunes State Park, which also hosts Lunar Eclipse Party from 9 p.m. to midnight Jan. 20, pending cloud conditions.

“We’ll have astronomers down on the beach with telescopes enjoying the slow process of the moon changing colors during the lunar eclipse,” Laudeman said.

Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.