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Download a 2008 Sea Star Schedule (ages 3-5), Junior Ranger Schedule (ages 6-11) or Junior Explorer Schedule (ages 12-15).
June Programs at Gulf Islands National Seashore, Mississippi District.
**Note new Junior Explorer programs for ages 12-15**
Junior Rangers – Ages 6-11
Program times are 10:00 – 11:15 a.m.
All programs meet at the Gulf Islands Visitor Contact Station unless otherwise noted. All programs are free. No organized groups please. Please call (228) 875-9057 ext. 100 for more information.
Wednesday, June 4th and Saturday, June 7th
Dissect a Diet
What does an owl eat? Take a close look at an owl pellet and learn more about these amazing predators. This program meets at the Gulf Islands Visitor Contact Station.
Wednesday, June 11th and Saturday, June 14th
Pirates of Davis Bayou
Arrghh mateys! Come along on a treasure hunt and learn about pirate life! This program meets at the Gulf Islands Visitor Contact Station.
Wednesday, June 18th and Saturday, June 21st
Cast For Your Catch
Learn the traditional art of throwing a cast net and discover the animals that thrive in the bayou! The program is limited to 20 children; sign up starts June 4. Call (228) 875-9057 ext. 100. This program meets at the Gulf Islands Visitor Contact Station.
Wednesday, June 25th and Saturday, June 28th
Be a Ship Island Soldier
Join a ranger and discover what it would have been like to be a soldier on West Ship Island in the 1860s. This hands-on program meets at Pavilion #4. This program is limited to 25 children; sign up starts June 11.
Sea Stars – ages 3-5
Program times are 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
All programs meet at the Gulf Islands Visitor Contact Station unless otherwise noted. All programs are free. No organized groups please. Please call (228) 875-9057 ext. 100 for more information.
Wednesday, June 4th and Saturday, June 7th
What makes a Bird a Bird?
Listen to a bird story and then join a ranger for a short walk to look for birds. Make a bird craft to take home with you! This program meets at the Gulf Islands Visitor Contact Station.
Wednesday, June 11th and Saturday, June 14th
Ssssnakes!
What do snakes eat? Where do they live? How big do they get? Discover the world of snakes and make a snake craft. This program meets at the Gulf Islands Visitor Contact Station.
Wednesday, June 18th and Saturday, June 21st
Fish Printing
Learn about some of the fish that live in the park and make a fish print to take home with you! This program meets at the Gulf Islands Visitor Contact Station.
Wednesday, June 25th and Saturday, June 28th
Alligator Safari
Where do alligators live and what do they eat? Join a ranger for a story and a short walk to look for alligators. This program meets at Pavilion #3.
Junior Explorers - ages 12-15
New this year! Junior Explorers programs are designed for children ages 12-15. There will be two programs in June and two in July.
Program times: 10:00 – 11:45 a.m.
Thursday, June 5
Marsh Explorers
Explore the marsh and discover the creatures that thrive above and below the water’s surface. Participants should wear closed-toe shoes such as old tennis shoes (no sandals) and should be prepared to get very wet and/or muddy. This program meets at the Gulf Islands Visitor Contact Station.
Thursday, June 12
Microscopic Life
Discover the world of the very very small! Participants will take a walk through several habitats and collect items to view as a group under a microscope. This program meets at the Gulf Islands Visitor Contact Station.
July Programs at Gulf Islands National Seashore
Junior Rangers – Ages 6-11
Program times are 10:00 – 11:15 a.m.
All programs meet at the Gulf Islands Visitor Contact Station unless otherwise noted. All programs are free. No organized groups please. Please call (228) 875-9057 ext. 100 for more information.
Wednesday, July 2nd and Saturday, July 5th
Can You See Me Now?
Many park animals rely on their camouflage to hide from predators. What animals use camouflage, and where do they hide? Test your ability to make a successful camouflage creature! Program meets at the Gulf Islands Visitor Contact Station.
Wednesday, July 9th and Saturday, July 12th
Create A Camp
Have you ever wanted to learn how to build a safe campfire, how to hang food so animals won’t get into it or how and where to set up a tent? Learn how to follow the principles of Leave No Trace camping during this fun, hands-on program. Note: This program meets at Pavilion #4.
Wednesday, July 16th and Saturday, July 19th
Cast For Your Catch
Learn the traditional art of throwing a cast net and discover the animals that thrive in the bayou! The program is limited to 20 children; sign up starts July 2nd. Call (228) 875-9057 ext. 100. This program meets at the Gulf Islands Visitor Contact Station.
Wednesday, July 23rd
West Ship Island Field Trip
8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Junior Rangers that have attended at least four Junior Ranger programs are eligible to receive a free ticket for a field trip to West Ship Island. West Ship Island activities may include cast netting, a tour of historic Fort Massachusetts and/or seine net activities. Friends and family members of the Junior Rangers must pay the regular ferry price of $22.00 for adults and $12.00 for children ages 3-10.
Sea Stars – ages 3-5
Program times are 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
All programs meet at the Gulf Islands Visitor Contact Station unless otherwise noted. All programs are free. No organized groups please. Please call (228) 875-9057 ext. 100 for more information.
Wednesday, July 2nd and Saturday, July 5th
Furry, Scurry Raccoons
What is a raccoon’s life like? Listen to a raccoon story and make a special raccoon craft to take home with you. Take a short walk with a ranger to look for raccoons and where they live!
Wednesday, July 9th and Saturday, July 12th
“I Spy” Children’s Nature Walk
What kinds of plants and animals live in the park? Where do they live? Can you find them? Join a ranger for a walk along a park trail, and search for fiddler crabs, herons, fish, alligators, and plants. Note: This program meets at Pavilion #3.
Wednesday, July 16th and Saturday, July 19th
Buggy about Bugs
Discover some of the smaller creatures that live in the park. Grab a magnifying glass and head outside to find insects! Finish up this fun, hands-on program with a bug craft to take home. This program meets at the Gulf Islands Visitor Contact Station.
Junior Explorers - Ages 12-15
New this year! Junior Explorers programs are designed for children ages 12-15.
Program times: 10:00 – 11:45 a.m.
Thursday, July 10
What Does a Ranger Do?
Have you ever wondered how Gulf Islands National Seashore Park Rangers conduct wildlife studies, or use large boats to haul equipment offshore, or enforce park laws? Come along on this program for Junior Explorers (ages 12-15) and find out! Park Rangers with three different jobs will explain what they do and what equipment they use to do their jobs. Learn about boat operations and take a look at the park’s biggest boat, the Captain George. Meet with a law enforcement ranger and learn about their patrol vehicles and other equipment. Ask a park biologist questions about how they conduct research and what technology they use. This program meets at the Gulf Islands Visitor Contact Station.
Thursday, July 17th
John Boat Tours
Discover the world of the bayou aboard a john boat. Junior Explorers (ages 12-15) will cruise through the bayou and learn about the plants and animals that thrive in this unique environment. John boat tours are limited to 7 participants each. There will be a maximum of four tours. The first day to sign up for this program is Thursday, July 3rd. An adult guardian must be available to sign a release form, and all participants must wear a life vest. Life vests are provided. Note: This program meets at Pavilion #5.
Passenger ferry service to West Ship Island resumed on March 21, 2008. Ferries depart from the Gulfport Small Craft Harbor at the intersection of U.S. Highways 90 and 49. The Ship Island Excursion Ferry will resume daily departures starting May 17th. For more information about ferry service to West Ship Island, contact Ship Island Excursions at (228) 864-1014.
Guided tours of Fort Massachusetts will be offered at 10:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.
The Gulf Islands Visitor Contact Station 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.
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