Flight Instructor reported taking evasive action to avoid several paragliders in the vicinity of BEH airport. The reporter recommended charts for this airspace should warn of paraglider activity in this area.

Narrative

With it being summertime and having a long stretch of good weather I wanted to bring attention to the likelihood of encountering powered paragliders (PPGs) and other Ultralight Aircraft (ULACs) that are not equipped with radios or ADS-B. On an instructor time building flight we were approaching Benton Harbor (BEH) with intent to land. Near pattern altitude on an approximately 3 mile right base for Runway 10 from the airfield the right seat pilot saw the shadow of a parachute pass beneath the right side of the aircraft over the shoreline. About a second later; the left seat pilot saw a green canopy about 500 feet below the aircraft. A climb was initiated to increase separation and the approach into BEH was altered. We saw 6-8 PPGs at varying altitudes in the vicinity of the airport. In talking with other pilots recently; PPGs and ULACs have also been seen in the vicinity of Westfield Airport (I72) and Indianapolis Executive (TYQ). Ensure that pilots and instructors have knowledge that PPGs and ULACs operate outside of areas that may not have charted symbology. If you consider an area scenic and a good place for aerial sightseeing; other people do as well and awareness should be heightened.