09-10-2007, 04:10 PM
Whether you're looking to experience history first-hand, catch an inside look at park resource management, support Hoosier health, or listen to scary stories, something for everyone awaits this autumn at Indiana Dunes State Park.
The feature event, the Autumn Camping Extravaganza, is Oct. 13-14. Join the Friends of Indiana Dunes for a weekend of world-class storytelling and fun for all ages. The Fall Kids Funfest is noon to 4 p.m. both days at the Wilson, Dunside and Tremont Shelters. Visitors can get a $1 passport to multiple activity booths at the Friends of Indiana Dunes Welcome Booth and enter to win raffle prizes. The Northwest Indiana Storytellers Festival runs both days from 10:30 a.m. 3 p.m. in the Nature Center auditorium.
The fall fun kicks off Sept. 8-9, with History Comes Alive Weekend, which includes a landing of the Ouiatenon Brigade along the beach. The Brigade's actors will French-Canadian voyageurs of the 1700s, thorugh authentic attire, food and general lifestyle. Interpretive naturalists will lead hikes to the group's encampment from the Nature Center. Other programs highlighting the area's early history will occur both days, including an evening campfire storytelling session on the beach.
Sept. 8 provides a chance for visitors to join Hoosiers from around the state for the Governor's DNR Day INShape Walk. This 2-mile fitness walk along the beach begins at 10 a.m. at the Pavilion. Participants can register at www.inshape.in.gov and bring their registration coupon for free admission to the park.
Visitors can learn about the park's natural resource management program, Sept. 13, at 6:30 p.m., in the Nature Center, when interpretive naturalist Brad Bumgardner presents "The Care and Feeding of Indiana Dunes State Park," as part of the Lake Michigan Coastal Program Coast Week activities.
"Howl"oween returns Oct. 27-28. Decorate your campsite for prizes and dress up the kids for trick or treating Saturday night in the campground. Special programs on owls, bats and spiders will occur throughout the weekend, culminating in a hike into the park's legendary pet cemetery Saturday night.
Excluding Fall Kids Funfest, all events are free after paying the standard gate fee: $4 Monday-Thursday, $5 Friday-Sunday for in-state vehicles; and $10 daily for out-of-state vehicles.
For more about these events or any other interpretive programs at the state park, contact the Nature Center at (219) 926-1390.
The feature event, the Autumn Camping Extravaganza, is Oct. 13-14. Join the Friends of Indiana Dunes for a weekend of world-class storytelling and fun for all ages. The Fall Kids Funfest is noon to 4 p.m. both days at the Wilson, Dunside and Tremont Shelters. Visitors can get a $1 passport to multiple activity booths at the Friends of Indiana Dunes Welcome Booth and enter to win raffle prizes. The Northwest Indiana Storytellers Festival runs both days from 10:30 a.m. 3 p.m. in the Nature Center auditorium.
The fall fun kicks off Sept. 8-9, with History Comes Alive Weekend, which includes a landing of the Ouiatenon Brigade along the beach. The Brigade's actors will French-Canadian voyageurs of the 1700s, thorugh authentic attire, food and general lifestyle. Interpretive naturalists will lead hikes to the group's encampment from the Nature Center. Other programs highlighting the area's early history will occur both days, including an evening campfire storytelling session on the beach.
Sept. 8 provides a chance for visitors to join Hoosiers from around the state for the Governor's DNR Day INShape Walk. This 2-mile fitness walk along the beach begins at 10 a.m. at the Pavilion. Participants can register at www.inshape.in.gov and bring their registration coupon for free admission to the park.
Visitors can learn about the park's natural resource management program, Sept. 13, at 6:30 p.m., in the Nature Center, when interpretive naturalist Brad Bumgardner presents "The Care and Feeding of Indiana Dunes State Park," as part of the Lake Michigan Coastal Program Coast Week activities.
"Howl"oween returns Oct. 27-28. Decorate your campsite for prizes and dress up the kids for trick or treating Saturday night in the campground. Special programs on owls, bats and spiders will occur throughout the weekend, culminating in a hike into the park's legendary pet cemetery Saturday night.
Excluding Fall Kids Funfest, all events are free after paying the standard gate fee: $4 Monday-Thursday, $5 Friday-Sunday for in-state vehicles; and $10 daily for out-of-state vehicles.
For more about these events or any other interpretive programs at the state park, contact the Nature Center at (219) 926-1390.