Abstract: An in-ground light, motion detector, or other active element is housed in a telescopically mounted housing so that it can be retracted to ground level when not in use and positioned above the ground when in use. A motor that extends and retracts the telescopically mounted housing relative to a main housing is rotatably mounted in a nonrotatable motor housing that adjoins the main housing. A plate having electrical contacts is mounted to the motor so that the contacts rotate when the motor rotates. A second plate having electrical contacts is nonrotatably secured to the motor housing so that relative rotation of the two plates activates and deactivates the motor. Relative rotation of the plates occurs when the telescopically mounted housing is fully extended or fully retracted because the rotational energy of the motor's output shaft is transferred to the motor when full extension or retraction has been achieved.