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With so much e-learning taking place now, Indiana Dunes National Park is providing a way for families to keep in touch with nature. Nature Exploration Backpacks are now available for daily checkout at the national park’s Paul H. Douglas Center from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm. To prevent the spread of disease, each backpack, and all of its contents, are thoroughly sanitized before it is made available for checkout.
The backpacks contain scientific instruments like binoculars and bug boxes that can be used to explore the oak savanna and pond habitats on the trail around the Douglas Center. Families can use other items such as guides, books, and nature games to instigate play and creativity on their hike. The backpacks are an excellent tool for families to learn together and work on their science lessons while enjoying the park. Kids of different ages will find fun things to do for their specific grade level.
There is no need to pre-register as the backpacks are loaned out on first-come, first- served basis, at no charge. Families are encouraged to explore the trails around the Douglas Center and the Nature Play Zone with the backpacks. Although craft activities are not available at this time, helping to feed the center’s resident fish, turtles, snakes, toads and frogs with a ranger can still be enjoyed with social distancing and the wearing of face masks.
The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education is at 100 North Lake Street, about one mile north of U.S. Highway 12 in the Miller neighborhood of Gary. For more information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Park, call 219-395-1824 or visit our website or our Facebook page.
The Indiana Dunes National Park is one of 421 units of the National Park System ranging from Yellowstone to the Statue of Liberty. Located in Northwest Indiana, the park includes 15 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and 15,000 acres of biodiverse beaches, woods, prairies, and marshes. Up to 2 million visitors come to the Indiana Dunes each year.
Last updated: September 30, 2020