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player ready...Although the day started out gray and rainy, visitors to the recent Open House at the Dunes Learning Center toughed out the morning hours to enjoy a great sunny afternoon.
As part of National Get Outdoors Day, the event covered quite a bit in four hours — the opportunity to find out about habitat restoration on campus, investigate life in the forest, check out what’s a-buzz in the pollinator garden and dip a net in the Little Calumet River to learn about water quality.
“My son brought home a flyer from his school about this learning center…I never knew it existed.” said Gary Mom Myra Thomas, as she checked over the day’s festivities. “It’s great to be able to see what kinds of resources we have right here in our own backyard.”
The schedule also included working with a tree-climbing harness and ascending into the canopy with Davey’s Tree Service; discovering why some bugs are insects, but not all insects are bugs with Franklin Pest Solutions; and gathering information on safety tips with the NWI Paddling Association.
In between activities, guests relaxed and enjoyed refreshments in the main cabin, as well as listening to live music on the lawn.
Open House visitors came from near and far.
The Leaser family from Van Wirt, Ohio, is spending a week’s summer vacation in Valparaiso.
Their itinerary is pretty unstructured and laid back, but seeing the Indiana Dunes was at the top of the list.
“Many of my work friends told me this was the place to go — that the Dunes area was very unique,” said Tyler Leaser. “This Open House is giving a great overview of what they have here. We’ll definitely be going to the beaches and walking the trails.”
Chesterton mom Roslyn Davila and her sons, Jack, 9, and Abel, 7, were excited to learn about the current camps offered.
“A few years ago, my older son stayed overnight and had a wonderful experience,” Davila said. “After seeing the inside of the cabins today, both my younger sons want to go. I told them we’ll think it over.”
Being out and about in nature is one summer task the Pennington family of Hammond takes seriously.
“My wife and I work many hours during the week and the kids are busy too,” said dad Jerry Pennington, as his family visited each of the stations at the Open House. “So, when the weekend comes, we all head outdoors. People don’t realize there is so, so much to do in the fresh air of northwest Indiana.”
The Dunes Learning Center is one of only 17 nonprofits delivering environmental education in partnership with the National Park Service.
Based within Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, residential and community outreach programs support young people in understanding — and critically thinking — about where they live. Guided outdoor learning adventures connect classroom lessons with the natural and cultural history of this region.
For more information on events and programs at the Dunes Learning Center, call (219) 395-9555 or visit online at duneslearningcenter.org.