Although the day started out gray and rainy, visitors to the recent open house at the Dunes Learning Center toughed it out to enjoy a great sunny afternoon.
As part of National Get Outdoors Day, the event covered the opportunity to learn about habitat restoration on campus, investigate life in the forest, check out what’s abuzz 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 Myra Thomas, of Gary. “It’s great to be able to see what kinds of resources we have right here in our own backyard.”
The schedule 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.
The Leaser family, of Van Wirt, Ohio, were on vacation in Valparaiso. Their itinerary was 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,” Tyler Leaser said. “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’s Roslyn Davila and her sons, Jack, 9, and Abel, 7, were excited to learn about the 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, both my younger sons want to go. I told them we’ll think it over.”
Being amid nature is one summer task the Pennington family, of Hammond, take seriously.
“My wife and I work many hours during the week and the kids are busy too,” dad Jerry Pennington said. “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.”
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