When you were a kid, did you ride your bike through a cemetery just to get a rush? Or maybe, as an adult, you occasionally check your horoscope? Chances are, you or someone you know believes they've experienced paranormal phenomena.

"69 percent of Americans believe in one or more paranormal topics," states Dan Hall during a PowerPoint presentation that's part of the "Ghost Hunting 101" class he teaches through Olympia Parks and Recreation.

Hall, who also teaches sociology and political science at Tacoma Community College, is a founding member of the non-profit organization Olympia Paranormal Research Group (OPRG.) Hall and seven other OPRG members meet on a regular basis to discuss, explore and investigate (free of charge) paranormal activity in the greater Northwest. The group formed three years ago, branching out from sister societies BOOO (Bellingham Observers of the Odd and Obscure) and AGHOST (Advanced Ghost Hunters Of Seattle Tacoma.)

Hall, in addition to ghost hunting, has dabbled in UFO investigation and Sasquatch research. He has performed at least 25 paranormal investigations.

Haunting investigations, Hall explains, involve the balance of technical equipment and the intuition of psychics. In the field terms like electromotive force (EMF) - which refers to voltage generated by a magnetic force - and electronic voice phenomena (EVP) are both commonplace.

With these tools, an inclination to believe can be overwhelming. But, skepticism is a big part of ghost hunting, says Hall. In fact, part of OPRG's mission statement reads, "It is not our intent to classify every unknown event as paranormal, but rather first to seek logical explanations for unusual events."

It's when these logical explanations are non-existent - when EMF's are off the charts with no earthly electrical charges around; when faucets run by themselves and no faulty plumbing is evident; when disembodied voices are heard and cold rushes are felt - that the adrenalin kicks in.

That's when OPRG's job gets exciting - and chilling.

Like the time a home residence in Lacey was investigated.

Hall shares a little background on the family. They have two children. At the time they lived in a one-story apartment.  On the surface, things seemed very normal. Except at night, when voices and footsteps were heard throughout the apartment - coming from no apparent source. Hall tells me objects would move around the house and furniture was inexplicably shoved.

Along with these symptoms of haunting came an unusual piece to the puzzle: a photograph the parents had taken. A photograph that showed the two small children playing in a doorway - above their heads, a handprint, hanging in mid-air.

"The handprint was striking - and only had four fingers," says Hall.

So, the team called in a trusted medium who determined (and agreed) that the home was haunted. And the handprint? Perhaps it's proof a shadow being was present. Hall describes a shadow being as somewhat of a trickster entity - one who is drawn in through trauma.

The mother in this case had experienced trauma - she was kidnapped from ages 4-10.

To the family's relief, the physic performed a cleansing ritual and was able to release the spirits from the home.

This is just one paranormal case in many. Some are extreme, others minor. Whatever the case, Hall believes there is a good chance we're surrounded.

"I think everywhere is haunted," Hall says, "even downtown Olympia."

For more information or to schedule an investigation visit olyparanormal.org.

When you were a kid, did you ride your bike through a cemetery just to get a rush? Or maybe, as an adult, you occasionally check your horoscope? Chances are, you or someone you know believes they've experienced paranormal phenomena.

"69 percent of Americans believe in one or more paranormal topics," states Dan Hall during a PowerPoint presentation that's part of the "Ghost Hunting 101" class he teaches through Olympia Parks and Recreation.

Hall, who also teaches sociology and political science at Tacoma Community College, is a founding member of the non-profit organization Olympia Paranormal Research Group (OPRG.) Hall and seven other OPRG members meet on a regular basis to discuss, explore and investigate (free of charge) paranormal activity in the greater Northwest. The group formed three years ago, branching out from sister societies BOOO (Bellingham Observers of the Odd and Obscure) and AGHOST (Advanced Ghost Hunters Of Seattle Tacoma.)

Hall, in addition to ghost hunting, has dabbled in UFO investigation and Sasquatch research. He has performed at least 25 paranormal investigations.

Haunting investigations, Hall explains, involve the balance of technical equipment and the intuition of psychics. In the field terms like electromotive force (EMF) - which refers to voltage generated by a magnetic force - and electronic voice phenomena (EVP) are both commonplace.

With these tools, an inclination to believe can be overwhelming. But, skepticism is a big part of ghost hunting, says Hall. In fact, part of OPRG's mission statement reads, "It is not our intent to classify every unknown event as paranormal, but rather first to seek logical explanations for unusual events."

It's when these logical explanations are non-existent - when EMF's are off the charts with no earthly electrical charges around; when faucets run by themselves and no faulty plumbing is evident; when disembodied voices are heard and cold rushes are felt - that the adrenalin kicks in.

That's when OPRG's job gets exciting - and chilling.

Like the time a home residence in Lacey was investigated.

Hall shares a little background on the family. They have two children. At the time they lived in a one-story apartment.  On the surface, things seemed very normal. Except at night, when voices and footsteps were heard throughout the apartment - coming from no apparent source. Hall tells me objects would move around the house and furniture was inexplicably shoved.

Along with these symptoms of haunting came an unusual piece to the puzzle: a photograph the parents had taken. A photograph that showed the two small children playing in a doorway - above their heads, a handprint, hanging in mid-air.

"The handprint was striking - and only had four fingers," says Hall.

So, the team called in a trusted medium who determined (and agreed) that the home was haunted. And the handprint? Perhaps it's proof a shadow being was present. Hall describes a shadow being as somewhat of a trickster entity - one who is drawn in through trauma.

The mother in this case had experienced trauma - she was kidnapped from ages 4-10.

To the family's relief, the physic performed a cleansing ritual and was able to release the spirits from the home.

This is just one paranormal case in many. Some are extreme, others minor. Whatever the case, Hall believes there is a good chance we're surrounded.

"I think everywhere is haunted," Hall says, "even downtown Olympia."

For more information or to schedule an investigation visit olyparanormal.org.