All winter with at least one inch of snow, check out our free cross country skies, boots and poles or snowshoes to enjoy the winter happenings in Miller Woods. Warm up inside with coffee or hot chocolate while watching a national park nature movie or enjoying the Douglas Center hands on exhibits.

Through March 1, 2015 the Douglas Center will be highlighting through brochures, films and exhibits some of the African American stories in many of our national parks. Children can take a short indoor scavenger hunt to earn a small prize.

• Winterfest
  February 7
  10 am - 4 pm
  With or without snow, we will be embracing winter fun. Join a park ranger for beginner instructions to cross-country skiing in Miller Woods. Skis, boots and poles furnished free of charge. Teen aged ParKids will be on hand to help. If preferred, snowshoes can be checked out instead of skis. Take part in a friendly fort building contest in our adjacent Nature Play Zone. Before you leave, warm up with hot chocolate or coffee while you explore our African Americans in our National Parks exhibit indoors. Make a snow globe, bird feeder or other craft to take home.

• Nature Tots
  *NEW* Program
  February 11 and March 11
  10 am – 12 pm
  Join Ranger Gail Cross as she reads fun books, plays interactive games and leads nature exploration built around a theme for the month. Geared toward 2 - 5 year olds and their parents. No registration required and it is free!

• Making Maple Syrup
  February 14
  12 pm – 4 pm
  Learn all the tips and tricks of making pure maple syrup in your home or backyard. If you have twelve inch diameter maple trees or others like black walnut, beech and hickory, you can make your own syrup. This program will show how simple household tools like drills and spiles can help you do the work.

• Hike with your Hound
  March 21
  10 am - 12 pm
  Bring your leashed dog for a hike with other dog lovers through our spectacular oak savanna woods. Don’t forget bags for picking up after your dog. Meet at the Douglas Center for Environmental Education. Unless a service animal, pets are not allowed in the building.

• Yoga Tales
  March 28
  1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
  Join local yoga expert Angela Appleton-Carver for a free, one hour yoga tale. This program is created to teach yoga poses & postures through storytelling. Children aged 5-12 years can have fun while learning the practices and principles of yoga. Parents can also participate.

• Stewardship Days in Miller Woods
  February 28, March 28
  9 am - 12 pm
  Join the Indiana Dunes staff on the fourth Saturday of each month to help restore the rare oak savanna landscape in Miller Woods. Tools and gloves will be supplied but please dress for the weather of the day. Meet inside the Paul Douglas Center for Environmental Education.

Call 219-395-1821 for more information.
www.nps.gov/indu
www.facebook.com/IndianaDunesNL

Tags: douglas center, hike with your hound, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, making maple syrup, miller woods, national parks, nature tots, stewardship days in miller woods, winterfest, yoga tales