Each month we will be highlighting various opportunities, events, and notable volunteers. Check out our website, and call or email us for any questions you may have. We look forward to seeing you at Indiana Dunes National Park!
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Indiana Dunes National Park is remaining open in accordance with state and federal guidelines, including Indiana's mask mandate. Due to continuing COVID-19 concerns, Indiana Dunes encourages social distancing, frequent hand-washing, and masks. For details on park operating hours and COVID response please visit the park's website.
Most volunteer programs have resumed, some on a modified basis (schedule below: "Volunteer Program Reopening Plan") and the Park Connection office is open every Wednesday 9am-3pm.
With the Illinois coast and many local beaches closed, we are seeing record visitation to the park. We recommend West Beach for lake access since it has the most parking by far. Please call 219-395-1003 before visiting the park to hear parking updates. To stay updated on event cancellations and park closings, please visit our Facebook page. Resources for coping with COVID-19 can be found here.
Thank you and stay healthy!!
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Dennis Maxwell
Dennis is such a park enthusiast that working full time at Indiana Dunes just isn't enough for him. Besides being employed at the National Park as a Seasonal Ranger, Dennis is one of the most active volunteers in the River Crew program. Every week or so, he and other River volunteers paddle the Calumet River to remove log jams and litter in an effort to make more of the river accessible to paddlers. In particular, Dennis is dedicated to finding and maintaining a balance between protecting the river's diverse ecosystem and providing recreational opportunities to boaters. In his career, he has worked at National Parks across the country -- from Yellowstone to Crater Lake to Biscayne -- so we feel especially lucky that someone so passionate about conservation landed at Indiana Dunes. Thank you for all you do, Dennis!
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NEW Volunteer Program: River Scouts
Help scout the East Branch Little Calumet River for log jams to preserve its accessibility and natural beauty! The Indiana Dunes National Park and Northwest Indiana Paddling Association partner to keep the river free for paddlers and anglers and we need help from paddlers who can report on the location of jams.
Due to the COVID crisis, the River Scouts will serve as an adaptation of the River Crew program. The River Crew can only send out small chainsaw crews to clear jams, so we rely on scouts working on their own (or at safe social distances) to tell us where the jams are located. You are our eyes and ears on the water!
Requirements:
- You must be an experienced paddler, supply your own kayak or canoe, and wear a Coast Guard approved personal floatation device.
- You must be onboarded with the National Park volunteer program.
- We cannot provide shuttling service due to the pandemic. You must either paddle upstream and back (or the reverse) or arrange for your own shuttle if paddling downstream only.
- You should be familiar with the river. Note that the swamp is somewhat confusing to navigate. The rapids under IN-49 and any jam presents particular risks. Your safety comes first.
If you meet the above requirements and would be interested in joining the River Scouts, please email parkconnection@gmail.com to set up an orientation!
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Trash Trekkers
Every day 9am-4pm
Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center
Summer 2020 will likely go down in Indiana Dunes history as one of our busiest summers for beachgoers. Unfortunately, more visitors can mean a lot more trash, so we need your help keeping our beaches clean! Trash Trekkers is an easy way to complete a quick beach clean-up at any time. Simply check in at the Visitor Center on Route 49 to receive trash bags, then choose from one of our many beaches or hiking trails to collect trash. Visitors are awarded with a free, reusable water bottle for filling up their bags. Together, we can keep our beaches beautiful!
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Drop-In Volunteering
Saturday, August 15th, 9am-12pm
Meet at Park Connection Office
Drop-in volunteering provides hassle-free opportunities at Indiana Dunes! With no previous sign-up or experience required, drop-ins are perfect for those with just a few hours of free time. Events are held on the third Saturday of the month at the Park Connection Office (618 N. Mineral Springs Rd.). Projects vary by date and season, but can include working with invasive species, and land and building restoration.
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Calling All Carpenters!
We are seeking skilled carpenters and painters to be part of a small rehabilitation project of the historic Charles P. Nelson house on Mineral Springs Rd.
This location was formerly known as the Sugar Bush Farm. Our goal is to use this location as a pancake and pie house for our Maple Sugar Time and Apples Festival!
If you are interested in joining the team please contact Volunteer Program Manager Jim Whitenack for details at 219-395-8832.
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Virtual Park Tours
Join park rangers as they guide you through some of the Dunes' most popular destinations. Whether you're from near or far, anyone can enjoy the park from their couch with these entertaining and educational original videos! Find them here.
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Geocaching
Geocaching is an outdoor adventure that combines technology with nature exploration. Players use a GPS and phone app to locate hidden containers around the world. You can find these treasure troves around Indiana Dunes National Park without breaking social distancing guidelines! Find instructions on how to play here.
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Volunteer Program Reopening Plan
For all volunteer programs, detailed operational planning and risk assessments will be conducted for all significant operations and adherence to USPHS Guidelines (including social distancing and social gathering limitations) will be enforced.
Artist-in-Residence (Supervisor Jeff Manuszak): Cancelled for 2020
Bark Ranger Ambassadors (Supervisor Julie Larson): Program available as of the week of May 24th, Volunteer Supervisor will call and advise
Beach Cruisers (Supervisor Martin Frase): Program available as of the week of May 24th, Volunteer Supervisor will call and advise
Corporate and Business (Supervisor Jim Whitenack): Program available since July 4th
Campground Host (Supervisor Ryan Koepke): Dunewood Campground reopened May 29th, Volunteer Supervisor will call and advise
Citizen Science (Supervisor Wendy Smith): Current project is the Dragonfly Mercury Project, Volunteer Supervisor will call and advise
Douglas Center Front Desk and Critter Sitters (Supervisors Julie Larson and Kip Walton): Program available as of the week of June 14th, Volunteer Supervisor will call and advise
Drop-In Volunteering (Supervisor Jim Whitenack): Program restarted in July
The Farm and Garden Crew (Supervisor Bill Smith): Program available as of the week of May 24th, Volunteer Supervisor will contact and advise
Fire Management (Supervisor Brandon Ramirez): Program will be available in the Fall, Volunteer Supervisor will call and advise
Green House (Supervisor Carie Satkoski): Program available as of the week of May 24th, Volunteer Supervisor will call and advise
Park Ranger Assistants (Supervisor Kelly Caddell): Program available as of June, Volunteer Supervisor will call and advise
Railroad Crew (Supervisors Judy Collins/East Troy and JP Anderson/Amtrak): East Troy Program “Chicago Day” in July has been cancelled for 2020. Possibly doing an event in September. Volunteer Supervisor will call and advise. (Amtrak Rails/Trails has been cancelled for 2020)
River Crew (Supervisors Dan Plath and Rob Albrecht-Mallinger): Program available as of the week of May 24th, Volunteer Supervisor will call and advise
Restoration Crew (Supervisors Laura Brennan and Adam Durkacz): Program available as of the week of May 24th, Volunteer Supervisor will call and advise
Scout Program (Supervisor Jim Whitenack): Program available as of July
Service Learning (Supervisor Jim Whitenack): Program available as of July
Special Events (Supervisors Jim Whitenack, JP Anderson, Rafi Wilkinson): Midsummer, Apples Festival, Century of Progress, and Outdoor Adventure Festival have been cancelled for 2020. Possibly doing some virtual programming. Holiday Tradition will be determined later.
Trail Crew (Supervisor Rafi Wilkinson): Program available as of the week of May 24th, Volunteer Supervisor will contact and advise
Trash Trekkers (Supervisor Jim Whitenack): Program available as of the week of June 14th
Visitor Center Front Desk (Supervisor Dave Rudy): Program available as of the week of June 14th, Volunteer Supervisor will call and advise
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Are you bored at home, missing the excitement of serving the park? Never fear, you can volunteer without ever leaving your computer! Below is a list of free trainings that may help you prepare to get going when we reopen -- or just stimulate your mind! Time spent on training DOES count for volunteer hours, so make sure to include it on your monthly hours report.
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Trail Riding 101
Equine professionals created this course to prepare riders to make informed decisions when riding horses on trails. This 3-5 hour course will prepare you to take on Indiana Dunes' riding trails like a pro!
Find course here.
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Foundations of Interpretation
This introductory course provides the philosophical groundwork for why we do interpretation, what interpretation is, and how interpretation works form personal connections between the meanings of the resources and the interests of the audience.
Earn certificate issued by the Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands, Indiana University
Find course here.
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Leave No Trace Online Awareness Course
This brief course will provide you with a better understanding of recreation-related impacts, the Seven Principles and how Leave No Trace skills and ethics can help protect the outdoor places we love.
Earn Leave No Trace certificate
Find course here.
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Trail Safe!
This program is a unique safety training program designed specifically for National Park Service (NPS) Trail Volunteers, but is useful to everyone! It's based upon NPS Operational Leadership Training, where the Human Factor of safety is explored. Trail Safe! captures the core learning objectives of the 16-hour Operational Leadership course while allowing volunteers to learn from their homes online.
Earn Trail Safe! certificate, SPE/GAR card, and pin
Find course here.
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Introduction to the National Park Service
Learn about the ideas that formed and later transformed the National Park Service (NPS), the people who generated those ideas, and the laws that continue to shape the NPS today.
Earn certificate issued by the Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands, Indiana University
Find course here.
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Fire Extinguisher Training
National Park Service employees are required to complete annual fire extinguisher training. It's important to knowing how and when to operate an extinguisher, whether you are volunteering at the park or not!
Find course here.
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Social Events
Each year we host a variety of events that offer volunteers a chance to meet and get to know one another. Below are some events you can look forward to this year. There will be more detailed event invites as they come up. We hope you can make it!
Annual Volunteer Appreciation Hog Roast and Farm Dance
canceled
Volunteer Camp Out at Dunewood Campground
Saturday, Sept 19
Twilight Christmas Parade Chesterton
Saturday, November 28
Holiday Party Potluck and Movie
Saturday, December 19
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Get Text Updates!
The volunteer office has rolled out new texting program. These updates will include reminders for volunteer events and socials, as well as spontaneous opportunities. This is a great way to stay connected, but only if you opt in! Sign up below and we will add you to our list.
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Please don't forget to turn in your times monthly to parkconnection@gmail.com.
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