A Dunes Affair
25th Anniversary Fundraising Gala
September 15th * 6:00 - 10:00 pm
Sand Creek Country Club
1001 Sand Creek Drive, Chesterton
Silent and Live Auctions | Live Music | Wine, Beer, and Dinner by the Bite
You can make a difference! $125 per person
It’s been 25 years since the very first school group spent three days and two nights immersed in nature on the campus of Dunes Learning Center. Today, with an expanded menu of environmental education programs, more than 175,000 students of all ages have experienced nature-based learning with the nonprofit education partner of Indiana Dunes National Park.
Delivered year round, Dunes Learning Center’s environmental education programs focus on the natural, cultural, historic, and recreational resources of the Indiana Dunes.
“Students of all ages enjoy new outdoor experiences as they connect with nature and explore Indiana Dunes National Park to learn about ecology, history, and conservation,” Executive Director Heather Hahn Sullivan says. “Environmental education is about hope and change.”
September 15th, Dunes Learning Center will host a special 25th Anniversary Gala Celebration. With proceeds supporting the organization’s scholarship fund to help ensure programs are accessible for all students living in the diverse communities along the south shore of Lake Michigan, the annual event features an awards presentation plus silent and live auctions along with live music, beer, wine, and dinner by the bite.
For the first time, a new Founders’ Award will recognize exceptional service to Dunes Learning Center and honor the legacy of founders Lee Botts, Dale Engquist, and Mark Reshkin.
In the mid-90’s, environmental activist Botts, National Park superintendent Engquist, and geology professor Reshkin joined forces to recruit community leaders and educators for the Indiana Dunes Environmental Education Consortium. This group oversaw the transformation of the former Camp GoodFellow site to a modern overnight learning center, a place where young people can learn about the local natural environment and discover how to care for it.
“We look forward to recognizing Geof Benson (former Dunes Learning Center Executive Director) and Paul Labovitz (former Indiana Dunes National Park Superintendent) for their contributions over the past decade,” Sullivan adds. “Both recently retired, Geof and Paul worked together to ensure all kids had access to transformational outdoor learning experiences while gaining national prominence for Dunes Learning Center as a leader within the Outdoor Schools inside National Parks network.
In addition, as has been a longstanding tradition, Dunes Learning Center will also recognize environmental education excellence through the Green Apple Award. The 25th Anniversary Green Apple will be presented to the 6th grade team of Francis W. Parker School.
“The trip to Dunes Learning Center is truly the highlight of the year,” science teacher Peg Zerenga says, who fondly recalls being part of the very first group on campus. “Both teachers and students benefit. From the teamwork and collaboration that helps everyone get to know one another at the beginning of the school year to the lessons in history and science, everyone who participates always has so many positive things to say. Everything is so beautifully run. As a science teacher, this experience informs the rest of the year. I use the same process to frame questions so my students can figure out how to research and gather data.”
Attendees will also be the first to see highlights from the program that started it all, Frog in the Bog, according to Sullivan.
“Frog in the Bog has endured the test of time and remains the flagship school-year overnight program for grades 4-6 at Dunes Learning Center,” she says. “We’re looking forward to giving our guests an inside look at this experience that features a living history tour, ecosystem investigations, and so much more.”
Supporters of A Dunes Affair and Dunes Learning Center’s environmental education programs include 1st Source Bank, BP America Inc, Cleveland Cliffs, Monica Conrad & Chris Hoham, Jennifer & Patrick Conrath, Nina Diamond & Jay Fahn, Friends of Indiana Dunes, Anne Gross, Phil Hahn, Keramida, Kuraray/MonoSol, Indiana University Northwest, NIPSCO, Purdue University Northwest, Stantec, US1 Industries, Visit Miller Beach, and Theresa & Thomas Weakland.
Dunes Learning Center’s 2023 Corporate Sponsors include BP, Cleveland Cliffs, Enbridge, Franklin Pest Solutions, Friends of Indiana Dunes, Keramida, Mark J. Mihalo DDS Family Dentistry, NIPSCO, Shinka Sustainability Consultants, Stantec, and Wickcraft Boardwalks.
To inspire the stewards of tomorrow and attend the 25th Anniversary Gala Celebration on Friday, September 15th at Sand Creek Country Club, go to www.DunesLearningCenter.org/ADunesAffair for tickets.
Proceeds ensure all students and schools, regardless of their capacity to pay,can experience the joy and wonder of outdoor learning on our campus in Indiana Dunes National Park.
Intern Ella Girzadas, Dunes Learning Center Executive Director Heather Hahn Sullivan, The IN Coast Founder Jenny Soffin