Heroes of the Storm
Step into the boots of a US Life Saving Service surfman! Sleeping Bear Dunes needs you—especially kids—to help practice the Beach Apparatus Drill.
The Beach Apparatus was a land-based rescue method used by the US Life-Saving Service. A small cannon sent ropes out to a sinking ship, creating a zip-line from the ship to the shore. The apparatus saved thousands of lives nationwide, including here in the Manitou Passage.
Join the demonstration to help "fire" a kid-powered Lyle Gun and rescue victims from a "shipwreck". No experience necessary, just a sense of adventure! Perfect for families, kids, and anyone curious about Great Lakes Maritime history. Arrive a few minutes early as drills begin on Thursday at 3 pm sharp.
In past years, after the demonstration, a replica Lyle gun was fired on the beach using a black-powder charge. This firing will not occur in 2026. National Park Service historic weapons demonstrations can only be conducted by a certified Historic Weapons Supervisor. Sleeping Bear Dunes is currently without a Historic Weapons Supervisor.
Fees
Free. All programs are free with a valid park entrance pass. Passes may be purchased at the Phillip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire, Michigan, and cost $25 (per vehicle) for seven days, $45 for an annual Sleeping Bear Dunes pass, or $80 (or less) for the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands pass series. Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/fees.htm.
Location
Program will take place in the green space between the Maritime Museum and the Boathouse.
Latitude and Longitude 44.907435, -86.034479
Schedule
Days:
Every week on Thursday
Dates:
June 18, 2026 to September 03, 2026
Time:
3:00 PM
Duration:
1 hour
Arrive a few minutes early as drills begin on Thursday at 3 pm sharp. The demonstration lasts roughly 30 minutes.
Contact Information
Sleeping Bear Interpretive Team
231-326-4700 Ext. 5005
Event Type
- Cultural/Craft Demonstration
- Living History
Tags:
sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore, maritime museum, manitou passage, historic demonstration, park ranger program