Dunes Learning Center will celebrate its 26th Anniversary at their gala, A Dunes Affair, on September 20 at 6:00 pm. The event will be held at Journeyman Distillery in Valparaiso, a new venue for this annual event. The evening includes an award program, silent and live auctions, and a paddle raise to support student scholarships for environmental education during the school year and summer camps.
“We look forward to welcoming gala guests at Journeyman,” says Heather Hahn Sullivan, Executive Director. “With more space and a really fun atmosphere, this is a wonderful new location. Guests are in for a great time!”
Union Township School Corporation will be honored with Dunes Learning Center’s Green Apple Award, which recognizes excellence in environmental education. Fifth graders from Union Township’s two elementary schools attended one of the first overnight programs at Dunes Learning Center in 1998, and have returned nearly every year since. Teachers share that it is a longstanding and much anticipated school tradition for students.
“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,” says Heather Hahn Sullivan, Executive Director. “Outdoor School programs with Dunes Learning Center encourage critical thinking and creativity through hands-on learning.”
It’s been 26 years since the very first school groups 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 200,000 students of all ages have experienced nature-based learning with the nonprofit education partner of Indiana Dunes National Park.
A Dunes Affair is supported by premier sponsors Cleveland Cliffs and BP, as well as Signature Sponsors 1st Source Bank, Chanute Aquatorium Society, Indiana University Northwest, and Purdue University Northwest, along with many table purchasers. To inspire the stewards of tomorrow and attend the Gala Celebration on Friday, September 20th at Journeyman, go to https://duneslearningcenter.org/adunesaffair for tickets. Tickets are $150 per person.
About Dunes Learning Center
Dunes Learning Center, the nonprofit education partner of Indiana Dunes National Park, inspires lasting curiosity and stewardship with nature. Since 1998, more than 200,000 students from diverse communities and backgrounds have joined us outdoors to discover, learn, explore, and reflect on the science and wonder of nature. Immersive onsite programming with lodging is available year round and is accredited by the American Camp Association. Outreach programming brings STEM-strong environmental education to sites throughout Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties in Northwest Indiana.