School Year Environmental Education Programs
On Campus in Indiana Dunes National Park
The dunes, woods, streams, beaches, and bogs of Indiana Dunes National Park are a living classroom where abstract concepts become meaningful, memorable, and fun!
Students challenge themselves and work together, while enjoying the natural beauty of their very own National Park. They return to the classroom with a new foundation of skills and an appreciation for learning that will last a lifetime.
The education team will work closely with you to create a unique and customized experience that meets your needs while reinforcing what is being taught in the classroom. Overnight and day program options are available!
Lodging
There are 10 accessible cabins on campus with comfortable bunk beds, private bathrooms, heat, and air conditioning. Each cabin accommodates 7 students plus a teacher or parent chaperone for a full camp capacity of 70 students and 10 adults.
Food & Dining
Dunes Learning Center’s hospitality staff prepares healthy, kid-friendly food and can meet individual dietary and allergy needs. Meals are served in Cowles Lodge and meal time is intentionally-designed to build community, with the opportunity to interact and reflect on activities.
Check out the Camp Facilities page for more information about the cabins, food, and activities!
Frog in the Bog
Our highly-rated three day/two night hands-on program combines discovery, adventure, and fun with math, science and social studies. A variety of state and national curriculum requirements are met as students explore the natural and cultural history of the dunes, the interconnection of human and natural environments and the rich biological diversity found in the southern Lake Michigan region.
Tuition: Prices include programs, meals, and lodging, along with pre- and post-visit materials. Prices vary depending on the size of your group, the time of year you attend, financial aid and more.
Age: Grades 4-6
Availability: September–November and March–May
Sample Activities
Walk Through Time
A Day at Cowles Bog
Introducing new classroom content to extend the learning!
Frog on the Log-In takes students on interactive, virtual adventures utilizing Google Earth to provide authentic trail experiences, including a pre-visit: Introduction to Indiana Dunes National Park, an enrichment activity: Creature Feature, and a post-visit: Similar Ecosystems across the US.
DuneVersity
Middle School students engage in hands-on investigations of local ecosystems in this STEM and service-themed 3-day residential program. Participants learn and practice research procedures used by professional scientists such as quadrant surveys and chemical water monitoring to gather and analyze data and participate in stewardship activities within the park. Biodiversity, ecosystems, sustainability and human impacts on the environment are explored through real conservation and natural resource management experiences.
Tuition: Varies based on program design
Age: Grades 7–8
Activity Descriptions
Eye Spy Activities: Students are introduced to observation skills and practice observing with a variety of activities.
Ecosystem Hike: Students embark on a hike to learn about various ecosystems and research tools that scientists use to collect data. They will have the opportunity to practice using different tools. This hike gives students the information they need to create a research question they will apply in the field.
Field Investigations: Trail groups will work together to collect data on their research questions out in the field. They will collect, record, and analyze the data to determine their findings.
Field Investigations Presentations: Trail groups will be able to share their findings with their classmates, just as a scientist would share their research! They will present their data in the form of a poster presentation and their classmates will have the opportunity to ask questions.
Winter in the Dunes
Winter in the Dunes
Students make observations about the flora and fauna that overwinter in the dunes to explore the concepts of change, conservation and community.
Tuition: Varies based on program design
Age: Grades 3–5
Availability: December–March
Dunes Adventure Academy
Students embark on a wilderness adventure among the flora and fauna of the Indiana Dunes National Park. They apply and expand their knowledge of math, science, and geography to work toward a goal using navigation tools and small group communication. Students will collectively develop and practice newly learned skills to strengthen their biophilia and learn about Earth’s resources.
Age: Middle School
Availability: December–March
Activity Descriptions
Compass 101: Students get their bearing straight while learning how to navigate using a compass.
The Science of Mapping: Students encompass the basic functions of a map and spatial awareness to apply orienteering skills in a navigation activity.
March Mapness: Students will put their navigational skills to practice while working together to learn about Earth’s resources.
Climate Change in the Maple Sugar Range
Students are introduced to real world scientific research using a variety of forestry tools to collect data on sugar maple trees in Indiana Dunes National Park and evaluate change over time.
Age: High School
Availability: December–March
Do you need us to come to you?
Arts activities made possible by the Indiana Arts Commission, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
