COMMUNITY EVENTS
Dunes Learning Center holds year-round overnight field trips and summer camp, and we are usually not open to the public— with the exception of our community events!
Please join us for workshops, hikes, guest speakers, and casual gatherings in Indiana Dunes National Park throughout the year. Events will be posted on this page as they are confirmed, and we ask that our guests register prior to attending.
Hope to see you here soon!
Indiana Youth Institute Cafe: Trauma-Informed Approach to Supporting Neurodiverse Youth
Thursday, February 12
9:00 — 10:30 a.m.
Cost: FREE
Open to all educators, caregivers, and professional youth workers
This Youth Worker Cafe explores how trauma-informed principles can be intentionally applied to support neurodiverse youth across educational, clinical, and community settings. Practical strategies will be shared to help us as caregivers and professionals to respond with empathy while building skills and resilience.
Maple Sugar Time
March 9—13, 9:00 a.m. /10:00 a.m. / 11:00 a.m. / 12:00 p.m.
*Reserve at least three weeks in advance*
Maple Sugar Time is on its way, and that means so are the related ranger-led field trips! There are still slots available, so now is the best time to reserve your field trip. Visit NPS’s recently updated education page to fill out and submit a reservation form here.
Education programs will run from Monday, March 9 to Friday, March 13. Time slots begin at 9:00 am, 10:00 am, 11:00 am, and 12:00 pm. Each time slot/program lasts roughly one hour. We can only accommodate two classes per time slot. Since this is a special event, write "Maple Sugar Time" when asked where in the park you would like to visit.
A national park pass is required, but you can request a fee waiver. Please note, there are specific requirements to meet in order to be granted a fee waiver – not all institutions may qualify. Once we have you scheduled, we can forward your information to the Fee Team, and they can assist in generating a possible waiver.
Once reviewed, you will be contacted to confirm details. You must reserve your field trip at least 3 weeks in advance.
Build Your Own Bird Box Workshop
Sunday, March 22 1:00 p.m. at Dunes Learning Center
Cost: $30
Join us for a hands-on workshop in the world of wood, led by craftsman Paul Labovitz and learn more about cavity nesting wildlife. At the end of the workshop, each attendee will go home with their very own hand-crafted bird box for the bluebirds in their neighborhood, and the skills to make another bird box in the future!
Summer Dunes Camp Open House
April 11, 2026 Time TBC
Is your child attending camp and you want to know what it will be like? Or maybe you have a potential camper that’s curious, but not yet sure if they are ready for sleep away summer camp. This is your chance to check out all of our facilities and get a sneak preview of our summer camp in Indiana Dunes. Meet our team of environmental educators, take a tour of our cabin, and get a sense of what it’s like at Dunes Camp.
Flocking Together with Project WILD and Project Learning Tree
May 16, 2026 8:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. 6 PGP Points
Cost: $35 - includes a hot lunch Scholarships are available to ensure cost is not a barrier to participation. Contact: Erin Crofton at ecrofton@duneslearningcenter.org with your inquiry.
Join Indiana’s Project WILD and Project Learning Tree programs for an immersive learning experience set against the stunning backdrop of Indiana Dunes National Park during Indiana Dunes Birding Festival weekend, a peak time for spring bird migration. Participating educators will deepen their understanding of Indiana’s bird diversity, engage in hands-on educational activities, and connect with place-based resources that make learning come alive for elementary and middle school students.
Air Matters: Connecting Community, Classrooms, & Clean Air
New Date to be announced soon!
Cost: $35
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
For 6-12th grade educators
Participants will gain a foundational understanding of air quality science, including what air quality is, how it's measured using the Air Quality Index (AQI), and why monitoring air quality matters for public health and environmental stewardship. By the end of this session, participants will be ready to bring air quality monitoring into their curriculum, empowering students to become environmental scientists who investigate and understand the air they breathe every day.
Led by Chris Iceman, Ph.D., Valparaiso University
Guest Speaker: Plant Communities of Indiana
Saturday, January 24
VIEW VIDEO HERE
We all know that the dunes are special, but what other unique areas exist across the state?
Join Wyatt Williams, plant community ecologist with the IDNR Natural Heritage program, to visit all corners of Indiana to see what important natural areas have been preserved.
This guest speaker event is provided free of charge courtesy of the Indiana Department of Wildlife.
New! For ages 0-5
Join our team of environmental educators at the Trojan Early Learning Center in Chesterton each month, and on our campus at DLC, in partnership with the Duneland Early Learning Hub!
More events coming soon, check this page for updates!
Thursday, February 12, we will be learning about Community! Please join us and if you’re not signed up for the Duneland HUB yet, you can learn more and sign up here.
Tuesday, February 17, we’ll have a Nat’s Nature Club young explorer’s winter event in the dunes on our campus at 700 Howe Road in Chesterton! Register for the event here.
Arts activities made possible by the Indiana Arts Commission, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
Dunes Learning Center events are supported by our 2025 Corporate Event Sponsors, including BP America, Cleveland Cliffs, Franklin Pest Solutions, Friends of Indiana Dunes, Keramida Inc., Mark J. Mihalo Family Dentistry, NIPSCO, Shinka Sustainability Consultants, and Wickcraft Boardwalks.
