Date: June 2, 2014
Contact: Ryan Koepke, 219-395-1882
Program Announcement #1
Park Focus Programs at National Lakeshore
There’s always something different to focus on in a park as diverse as Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Join a ranger at the Paul H. Douglas Center on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer for activities and topics ranging from guest speakers, new research finds, or favorite park places. The programs change each week, but the Douglas Center location remains the same. Call the Douglas Center for the specific topic and time of that week’s program.
The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education is located in the western portion of the national lakeshore at 100 North Lake Street, about one mile north of U.S. Highway 12. For more information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, call 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Program Announcement #2
Kid’s Rule at National Lakeshore Visitor Center
Join a ranger at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore’s visitor center for a Sunday afternoon of kid’s activities, puppet shows, stories, and fun. Stop in the center’s activity room between 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. so your children can learn a little more about our neighborhood national park. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
The Indiana Dunes Visitor Center is located at 1215 N. State Road 49 just south of the intersection of 49 and U.S. 20 in Porter, Indiana. For more information about this program or other activities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, contact the information desk at 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Program Announcement #3
Music Heritage Series at National Lakeshore
Join in with the Save the Tunes Council as they perform traditional music associated with the summer season. Tune up your vocal cords and gather up for a sing-along on June 20, from 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Visitor Center.
The Save the Tunes Council is a group of local musicians devoted to preserving and passing on folk songs in the traditional way, using a variety of musical instruments including guitar, autoharp, dulcimer, banjo, harmonica, bagpipe, penny whistle, hurdy gurdy, and other obscure instruments.
Meet at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center located at 1215 N. State Road 49 just south of the intersection of 49 and U.S. 20 in Porter, Indiana. For more information about this program or other activities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, contact the information desk at 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Program Announcement #4
Stewardship Day at the National Lakeshore – Attacking Invasives
On June 21, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, join a ranger in helping to care for your local national park. Join in this volunteer activity as we remove Oriental Bittersweet and other invasive species in the Central Avenue Beach area. Wear comfortable clothes; work gloves and equipment will be provided. Insect repellent and sunscreen are recommended.
Meet at the Central Avenue Beach Parking Lot located at 151 Central Avenue just west of Michigan City, Indiana. For more information about this program or other activities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, contact the information desk at 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Program Announcement #5
Junior Wildland Firefighter Programs at the National Lakeshore
Meet the fire crew at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and learn about their jobs and equipment. After this hands-on program, children will receive their very own Junior Wildland Firefighter activity book and patch.
This program will be held at two different locations in June. On June 14, it will be held at the West Beach Contact Station from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm and on June 28, join the crew from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the Dunewood Campground’s amphitheater. Short-term parking is available for amphitheater programs at the campground registration building.
For more information about this program or other activities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, contact the information desk at 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Program Announcement #6
Ranger’s Choice Hike at National Lakeshore
Explore Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore’s exceptional diversity of life on a special ranger-led hike on Friday mornings during the summer. Meet the ranger at the Visitor Center on June 13, 20, and 27 at 9:00 a.m. and then caravan to that week’s featured location for a two-hour hike.
The topic and location will change each week so we can highlight the best of the national lakeshore changing beauty. Call or stop by the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center on Friday morning to find out the location of the week’s hike.
The Indiana Dunes Visitor Center is located at 1215 N. State Road 49 just south of the intersection of 49 and U.S. 20 in Porter, Indiana. For more information about this program or other activities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, contact the information desk at 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu
Program Announcement #7
Sunset Hike at National Lakeshore
Take a leisurely stroll with a ranger at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore’s Central Avenue Beach and watch the sunset over Lake Michigan. This one-hour program begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be offered on Friday, June 13, 20 and 27. During the program, learn about threats to the Indiana dunes and what you can do to help protect this special place. Please note that most areas of the park, including Central Avenue Beach, close 30 minutes after sunset.
Meet at the Central Beach Parking Lot located at 151 Central Avenue just west of Michigan City, Indiana. For more information about this program or other activities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, contact the information desk at 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Program Announcement #8
Campground Program at National Lakeshore
Join a ranger around the campfire and learn about the incredible diversity of life at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and how fire plays an important part in keeping this park healthy. This program is offered on Saturday, June 14, 21 and 28 at 8:30 pm at the Dunewood Campground Amphitheater. Short-term parking is available for amphitheater programs at the campground registration building.
The Dunewood Campground is located at the cross streets of Dunewood Parkway and Golfwood Road in Michigan City, Indiana 46360. For more information about this program or other activities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, contact the information desk at 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Program Announcement #9
Chellberg Farm Open House at National Lakeshore
Tour the Chellberg Farmhouse and learn about the lives of early Duneland farm families. This program will be held on Saturday, June 14, 21 and 28 and the house will be open from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Park in the Chellberg/Bailly parking lot and take a short walk to the Chellberg Farmhouse.
The Chellberg/Bailly parking lot is on Mineral Springs Road between U.S. 20 and Highway 12 in Porter, Indiana. For more information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, visit the park website at www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit or contact the park’s information desk at 219-395-1882.
Program Announcement #10
Pinhook Bog Open House at National Lakeshore
Explore Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore’s Pinhook Bog during three open houses being offered in the month of June. Tour the bog on your own and talk to rangers and volunteers stationed along the trail who will help you understand this unique place filled with carnivorous plants. Allow about one hour to walk the trail and tour the bog. This program will be held on Sunday, June 15, 22 and 29 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The Pinhook Bog parking lot is located at 700 North Wozniak Road in Michigan City, Indiana 46360. For more information about this program or other activities at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, contact the information desk at 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Program Announcement #11
Miller Woods Hike at National Lakeshore
Take a Sunday afternoon stroll with a ranger through Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore’s beautiful Miller Woods. This trail features one of the rarest habitats in the country, black oak savanna. This program is offered every Sunday in June and begins at 1:30 p.m. Depending on the weather the length of this hike can vary from one-half mile to three miles. For information on this week’s hike, call the Paul H. Douglas Center at 219-395-1821.
The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education is located in the western portion of the national lakeshore at 100 North Lake Street, about one mile north of U.S. Highway 12. For more information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, call the park’s information desk at 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Program Announcement #12
Kayaking the Indiana Dunes Lagoons
Join a National Park Service ranger for a kayak paddle through the Miller Woods area lagoons. This 3-hour program is offered on Saturday, June 7 at 9:00 a.m. You must have your own kayak and life jacket. This program meets at Marquette Park and is offered in partnership with the City of Gary’s Park Department.
Marquette Park is located at 7500 Oak Avenue in Gary. For more information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, call 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Program Announcement #13
Get Outdoors Day at the National Lakeshore
On Saturday, June 14, pack up the family and spend the day outdoors at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore’s Dunes Learning Center. Starting at 11:00 a.m., this 4-hour event will give you a chance to take a hike, learn about kayaking, explore the Little Calumet River, make a craft, and enjoy lunch on the lawn. You can also be one of the first to explore the national lakeshore through the brand new Passport to the Dunes program.
The Dunes Learning Center is located at 700 Howe Road in Porter, Indiana. Follow the camp road until you come to the gravel parking lot. For more information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, visit the park website at www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit or contact the park’s information desk at 219-395-1882.
Program Announcement #14
Fort Building Contest at National Lakeshore’s Douglas Center
On Saturday, June 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., test your architectural skills using natural materials at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore’s Nature Play Zone. This contest is being held at the Paul H. Douglas Center and offers fun prizes for different themed forts.
The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education is located in the western portion of the national lakeshore at 100 North Lake Street, about one mile north of U.S. Highway 12. For more information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, call 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Program Announcement #15
Midsummer Celebration at National Lakeshore
Celebrate the longest day of the year and learn about the traditions of the Swedish immigrants at Chellberg Farm. Enjoy the music, dance and food associated with this special day. This program will be held on Saturday, June 21 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Be sure to come back in the evening for the Summer Solstice Evening Concert.
The Chellberg/Bailly parking lot is on Mineral Springs Road between U.S. 20 and Highway 12 in Porter, Indiana. For more information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, call 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Program Announcement #16
Summer Solstice Evening Concert at National Lakeshore
Enjoy the end of the longest day of the year with an early evening concert at the historic Chellberg Farm on Saturday, June 21, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 pm. Offered in partnership with the Friends of Indiana Dunes, this outdoor concert features Chris Vallillo a nationally acclaimed singer/songwriter and folk musician who strives to "make the people and places of "unmetropolitan" America come to life in song."
The Chellberg/Bailly parking lot is located on Mineral Springs Road between U.S. 20 and Highway 12 in Porter, Indiana. For more information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, call 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Program Announcement #17
Bats Alive Program at National Lakeshore
On Saturday, June 21, starting at 9:00 a.m., meet at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore’s Douglas Center for a day of presentations and educational activities all about bats. You can even see live bats during this program which is offered in partnership with Purdue University, Mammoth Cave National Park, Ravenswood Media, and the Organization for Bat Conservation. In addition to the daytime activities, there will be a guided evening hike on bats from 8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. in Miller Woods.
The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education is located in the western portion of the national lakeshore at 100 North Lake Street, about one mile north of U.S. Highway 12. For more information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, call 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
Program Announcement #18
Civil Rights Program National Lakeshore
Join a ranger at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore’s Douglas Center on Saturday, June 28 at 1:30 pm to discuss the lasting impacts of the Civil Rights Act and celebrate the 50th anniversary of this important piece of legislation. During this 90-minute program there will also be a presentation on National Park Service sites that commemorate the civil rights movement.
The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education is located in the western portion of the national lakeshore at 100 North Lake Street, about one mile north of U.S. Highway 12. For more information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, call 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/indu.
www.nps.gov/
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is part of the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 401 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.
