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Date: June 3, 2009
Contact: Gail Bishop, 850-934-2618
Contact: Susan Blair, 228-875-9057

“Area youth are invited to participate in Gulf Islands National Seashore summer youth programs,” states Superintendent Jerry Eubanks. These ranger-lead programs are free and open to the public. Junior Ranger programs, for youth ages 6-11, and Sea Star programs, for pre-schoolers ages 3-5, are offered every Wednesday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Children are to meet at the William M. Colmer Visitor Center unless otherwise noted. Activities will take place inside or outside. Please bring a hat, sunscreen and water for out-door programs. On Wednesday, June 10 and Saturday, June 13, both Junior Rangers and Sea Stars will learn about the 5 species of sea turtles that swim in Gulf Coast waters. Compare yourself to the size of a sea turtle. Make a sea turtle craft and best of all, learn about these ancient and amazing creatures that have been here since the time of dinosaurs. On Wednesday, June 17 and Saturday, June 20, Junior Rangers will enjoy a story passed down through generations of Choctaw Indians in Mississippi, “How Animals Saved the People.” The story will be followed by a hands-on introduction to the animals of Gulf Islands. Sea Stars will learn about animals at Gulf Islands and their homes by playing the “Who am I?” game. On Wednesday, June 24 and Saturday, June 27, Junior Rangers will explore our solar system. Come learn about the planets that orbit our sun. We’ll be looking at the relative sizes of the planets and build a model solar system. Sea Stars will learn about the importance of the sun and other stars. There will be a short story about stars and then we will create a paper plate sun to take home. Both programs will be in the visitor center. The William M. Colmer Visitor Center at Gulf Islands National Seashore is located off U.S. Highway 90 East in Ocean Springs and is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information about Gulf Islands National Seashore and programs offered, call 228-875-9057 ext. 100 or visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/guis.