Ludington State Park

Ludington Management Unit P.O. Box 709

Ludington, MI 49431

(231) 843-2423

* Interpretive programming adds to the classroom experience.
* Interpretive programming is a FUN hands-on, non-traditional, learning experience.

* Interpretation concerns itself with bringing out an individual's sense of wonder and curiosity!
* Instead of merely listing facts, interpretation can reveal the nature of interdependence in our world and the relevance of each and every aspect of nature to each and every other aspect.
* "Instant enlightenment," whereby things are brought quickly and sharply into focus!

Making Your Reservation:

Call the Ludington State Park Office at (231) 843-8671 (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday) to make your reservation. Before calling we suggest you pick out 2 or 3 calendar dates that would work out for your group. This way we have a better chance to find an available date open for your group. Sorry, we cannot schedule makeup dates in advance.

All programs are reserved in two-hour blocks. Groups of more than 45 students will be divided into 2 separate program blocks.

FALL (signup begins June) WINTER (signup begins October) SPRING (signup begins February)
September through November January through March May through June

Ludington State Park offers:

P Miles of foot trails, beaches, dunes, and forest;

P Picnic areas at Hamlin Lake Beach and along the Sable River;

P The Great Lakes Visitor Center, (limited hours of operation in Spring and Fall, closed in the Winter);

P Hamlin Lake Dam on the Sable River;

P Big Sable Point Lighthouse, Lighthouse tours made through Lighthouse Keepers Association;

P Year-round camping;

P Heated trail shelter with picnic tables inside.
^Payments
There are no In-park program fees. (Effective January 2000)
A State Park Motor Vehicle Permit is required for all vehicles entering Ludington State Park:

$6.00 Daily (per school bus / car),

$24.00 Annual (calendar year permit)

Ludington State Park

Sand Dunes

(4^th Grade to Adult) Great Lakes

(4^th Grade to Adult) Autumn Changes

(1^st through 3^rd Grades)

Sand Dunes,

Get set to discover the fascinating world of sand dunes at Ludington State Park! Ludington is home to one of the largest areas of fresh water sand dunes. Your students will learn first hand how the dunes were formed, the diversity of environments in the dunes, and why the dunes are protected. See some of the unusual plant and animal life that call the dunes home.

We start at the Great Lakes Visitor Center and venture through the dunes, only to finish up at the Lake Michigan beach. Students will be given discovery time at the beach.

Great Lakes,

Come out to Ludington State Park and discover how Lake Michigan, one of our Great Lakes, plays an important part in our lives. We search out geological evidence to show us how these magnificent Lakes were formed. We will look at the changing lake levels and our arial on the lakes. Students will leave with a better understanding of lake ecology.

We start at the Great Lakes Visitor Center and wind our way down the river to the shoreline of Lake Michigan.

Ludington State Park

Sand Dunes

(4^th Grade to Adult) Great Lakes

(4^th Grade to Adult) Autumn Changes

(1^st through 3^rd Grades)

Autumn Changes,

It happens every fall. Animals and plants are busy preparing for the upcoming winter.

Starting at the Great Lakes Visitor Center, we head out on an adventure hike to search out what seasonal changes are occurring in Ludington State Park. Students will discover numerous changes along the Sable River Trail. Birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, and plants will be our observation topics during our walk.

Ludington State Park

Snowshoeing

(4^th Grade to Adult) Park History

(4^th Grade to Adult) Winter Birds

(1^st through 3^rd Grades)

Snowshoeing,

Experience what it is like to walk in snowshoes! Students will learn how snowshoes have been an important part of survival through thousands of years, especially in the Great Lakes Region. Students will be fitted in a pair of snowshoes for an exciting walk in the Park.

Warm apparel is required. Due to our limited number of snowshoes we can only take up to 35 students per program.

The program begins at the Trail Shelter. The Trail Shelter is heated and has picnic tables for groups looking for a place to eat their lunches.

Park History,

Come step back in time to see the rich history of Ludington State Park. This walking tour passes over and by numerous historical sites. Students will visit a ghost town and the cemetery, which is the final resting-place for several sailors from local shipwrecks. Walk down the forgotten C.C.C. Camp main street. From the geological history to the rich human history, students will see all the changes this area has gone through.

We begin at the Trail Shelter. Weill walk to the Hamlin Dam and back.

Ludington State Park

Snowshoeing

(4^th Grade to Adult) Park History

(4^th Grade to Adult) Winter Birds

(1^st through 3^rd Grades)

Winter Birds,

The Sable River in Ludington State Park becomes a winter home for large populations of birds. Students discover why birds find this area such a popular spot to spend the whole winter season. It is their chance to see some birds up close and other birds that are not present during the summer. Students learn why these birds donit freeze their feet in the icy cold river.

Starting at the Trail Shelter, students get a brief introduction to winter birds using mounted specimens. The highlight of this program is a walk along the river to see the birds.

Sorry, but please donit feed these wild birds. We will explain to the children why it is better not to feed the birds people food.

Ludington State Park

Sand Dunes

(4^th Grade to Adult) Great Lakes

(4^th Grade to Adult) River Discovery

(1^st through 3^rd Grades)

Sand Dunes,

Get set to discover the fascinating world of sand dunes at Ludington State Park! Ludington is home to one of the largest areas of fresh water sand dunes. Your students will learn first hand how the dunes were formed, the diversity of environments in the dunes, and why the dunes are protected. See some of the unusual plant and animal life that call the dunes home.

We start at the Great Lakes Visitor Center and venture through the dunes, only to finish up at the Lake Michigan beach. Students will be given discovery time at the beach.

Great Lakes,

Come out to Ludington State Park and discover how Lake Michigan, one of our Great Lakes, plays an important part in our lives. We search out geological evidence to show us how these magnificent Lakes were formed. We will look at the changing lake levels and our arial on the lakes. Students will leave with a better understanding of lake ecology.

We start at the Great Lakes Visitor Center and wind our way down the river to the shoreline of Lake Michigan.

Ludington State Park

Sand Dunes

(4^th Grade to Adult) Great Lakes

(4^th Grade to Adult) River Discovery

(1^st through 3^rd Grades)

River Discovery,

Students have fun discovering and examining the abundance of animals that live in the river! From birds to fish to the small microscopic animals that call the river home, this program shows the children how these living organisms need each other. This program is specially designed to be hands-on. Experience the excitement that Spring brings in! Come get your hands wet!

We start at the Great Lakes Visitor Center for an introduction, before venturing to the river with nets in hand. We request you bring chaperons for small group supervision during the river lab exploration.

www.ludingtonfriends.com