About Dunes Learning Center
Inspiring lasting curiosity and stewardship with nature
Dunes Learning Center is proud to carry on a tradition of learning in the dunes that dates back more than 100 years ago by the “Father of Ecology in North America,” Dr. Henry Chandler Cowles. Our programs provide a critical and beneficial connection to nature for learners of all ages—inspiring curiosity, scientific literacy, and environmental stewardship.
Located within the Indiana Dunes National Park, our residential environmental learning center is surrounded by scenic trails, historic sites, and one of the most biologically diverse National Parks in the nation.
We get kids outdoors, to explore and learn, to build confidence, form new connections, and make a difference. Residential and outreach programs connect classroom lessons with the natural and cultural history of this special region during the school year. We extend our engagement by hosting community events and providing summer camps to carry out our mission throughout the year.
Camp Outcomes
Campers in our programs will:
• Develop a sense of self and place by growing social-emotional skills and strategies to connect with others and the natural world.
• Learn through safe outdoor experiences that promote positive relationships.
• Gain an understanding of the need for conservation and protection of natural and cultural resources, through program integration with the National Park Service.
Dunes Learning Center staff will:
• Serve the needs of participants from diverse communities and backgrounds.
• Operate as an organization that leads by example utilizing a professionally trained team of emerging conservation leaders who advocate for stewardship, sustainability, and environmental equity.
• Integrate program activities with the National Park Service to create an awareness of participants’ role in protecting and preserving natural and cultural resources for the enjoyment and education of all generations.
