Elizabeth Brockwell-Tillman,
interpreter, P.J. Hoffmaster State Park,
Genevieve Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center

Schedule of Weekly Nature Programs

Schedules for other nature programs

The Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center, located in P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, is nestled among one of the nation's most impressive dune systems. Perched at the top of a large sand dune surrounded by a pristine wooded back-dune, the center features state-of-the-art exhibits to tell Michigan's unique sand dune story.

In the center's main exhibit hall, "Michigan Coastal Sand Dunes Like Nowhere Else on Earth" features:

• Dioramas that depict the four dune habitats in all seasons and include models of the animals and plants that live there.
• An animation station where visitors can see how sand dunes are formed.
• An interactive audio/video station that shows the ant lion at work and offers a play-by-play account of its hunting skill.
• An interactive computer station that features other sand dune parks in Michigan.

The Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center also includes a classroom with seasonal live animal displays and an auditorium where an audiovisual presentation orients visitors to the park and its surrounding sand dunes. Visitors are encouraged to venture outdoors to experience first-hand the park's beautiful scenery. Within easy access from the visitor center, the half-mile Lake Michigan Trail goes up and over the park's sheltered backdune forest and leads visitors out into a grassy foredune with a sweeping view of the beach and Lake Michigan below.

The first portion of this trail, known as the Sandy McBeath Trail, is universally accessible, thus allowing all visitors to experience the solitude of the sheltered backdune, and giving them an opportunity see the spring and summer wildflowers and hear the diversity of singing birds.

At the end of the McBeath Trail, stairs and a short path lead to the popular Dune Climb Stairway. This 193-step structure, perched on top of one of the park's largest parabolic dunes, has lower and upper observation decks to give visitors a sweeping view of Lake Michigan and the surrounding sand dunes.

Summer Programs

The visitor center interpretive staff offers a variety of nature programs for families from June 15 through Labor Day. Programs are provided most days of the week in the campground for persons staying at the park and at the visitor center for day visitors.

During July, three or four programs are offered five days
a week, including some evening programs. Programs vary from year to year, but some popular favorites, such as Feeding Frenzy, Snakes Alive, Frog and Toad Hunt, Stream Explorations and Little Creatures of the Dunes, return by demand each year. Weekly schedules are posted at the visitor center and in the bulletin cases found at the day beach and campground buildings. Programs suitable for persons with disabilities are noted on the schedule with the universal wheelchair symbol.

Special Events

The visitor center hosts a number of special events each year. Events for 2010 have yet to be announced.

Hours and Information

Fall, Winter, Spring:
Tuesday-Friday, noon to 4 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The center is closed mid-November to mid-January for annual maintenance.

Educators and group leaders interested in arranging a visit to the center or an interpretive hike or program, should contact the park interpreter at (231) 798-3573, or by e-mail at: brockwee@michigan.gov.

Pre-School/Kindergarten

Pre-school and kindergarten classes are encouraged to use the visitor center on a self-guided basis. Structured naturalist guided programs for this early elementary age are not available at this time. However, when time permits in the spring or early fall, a naturalist may be available to speak with students about any of the classroom seasonal animal visitors, such as turtles and snakes.

Naturalist-Guided Programs

Our primary program for grades 1-12 is an Introduction to Michigan's Sand Dunes. All naturalist-guided programs promote awareness, curiosity and an understanding of ecological systems found within the park and the biological connections that bind all living things together. Emphasis is placed on our human role as stewards of nature.

Naturalist-lead programs require two-and-a-half to three hours. Classes are limited to 35 people per naturalist. For some dates it is possible to bring two classrooms of students at the same time. The availability of these double time slots is dependent on the number of naturalists giving programs and the center's current staffing level. Once students have completed the core program, the following classes are available for a second visit to the center:

FALL
Autumn in the Dunes....grades 1-6
Michigan Mammals......grades 3-6 (Nov. only)

SPRING
Pond Study.................grades 1-6

Self-Guided Visits

This option is available to those wishing to structure their own activities and lessons, or for anyone not able to secure a naturalist-guided program. All groups are welcomed by a naturalist, ranger or receptionist. Groups may view a 12-minute presentation on Michigan's sand dunes and tour the interactive exhibit hall. Teachers are encouraged to customize their own programs using the facility resources. Teacher training or assistance in the planning process is available from the interpretive staff upon request. A one-hour time block for self-guided visits is recommended. Groups are limited to 80 people per time slot.

Planning Your Visit

Reservations for naturalist-guided and self-guided visits to the Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center can be made by calling the center at (231) 798-3573. Sign-up windows for the 2009-2010 school seasons begin:

FALL......................Sept. 1-8, 2009
SPRING (2010)........Jan. 26-Feb. 2

Reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 8 a.m. on the first day of the sign-up window. Reservations will continue to be taken that day until all time slots have been filled. It is not uncommon for all guided program slots to be filled by 10 a.m. You are encouraged to call. E-mail may not be checked until later in the day.

There is less competition for a self-guided visit. If you wish to make a reservation for a self-guided visit we recommend you wait until day two when the decrease in call volume will make it easier for you to get through. If you are thinking about a particular date, you may e-mail Elizabeth Brockwell-Tillman, park interpreter at brockwee@michigan.gov.

• School name, address and phone number
• Names of participating teachers
• Grade level and number of students
• Program title requested
• Preferred date (Please choose at least three alternative dates that work with transportation)

Makeup or rainout dates cannot be scheduled in advance.

Fees:

• No interpretive fee
• No admission fee to the Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center
• A Michigan State Park Motor Vehicle Permit is required for all vehicles entering P.J. Hoffmaster State Park

Gillette Nature Association

The Gillette Nature Association, a nonprofit friends group, promotes and sponsors interpretive and volunteer activities at Hoffmaster State Park, including the center's main special events. For more information, contact the visitor center at (231) 798-3573 or visit their Web site at www.gillettenature.org.