​Day 1 | Indiana Dunes National Park

Today marked a milestone we've been looking forward to for a long time—our very first STEAM in the PARK camp at Indiana Dunes National Park.

For years, we've driven past these dunes, admired this incredible landscape, and dreamed about bringing educators here. This place is unlike anywhere else in the National Park System. More than 15,000 years ago, glaciers helped shape these towering dunes along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, creating one of the most biologically diverse national parks in the country. It's a place where forests, wetlands, prairies, rivers, and beaches exist side by side, offering endless opportunities to wonder, explore, and learn.

We're especially grateful to be spending the week at the Dunes Learning Center, a place with an incredible story of its own. Our campus was originally Camp Good Fellow, a summer camp built by U.S. Steel in 1941 for the children of employees at the Gary Works steel mill. Thousands of children spent their summers here exploring the woods, the river, and the dunes. After the National Park Service acquired the property in 1976, a vision emerged to transform it into a place where new generations could learn about this remarkable landscape. Today, through a unique partnership with Indiana Dunes National Park, the Dunes Learning Center serves as the park's official outdoor school, welcoming students and educators from across the region to experience one of the most biodiverse national parks in the country. 

One of our favorite moments happened before camp even officially began. Every one of our 24 campers had arrived within the first 90 minutes. That almost never happens! There was so much excitement as hugs were exchanged, new friendships began, and returning campers welcomed those joining us for the very first time. It already feels like this is going to be a wonderful week together.

This afternoon we introduced one of our favorite activities, To Each Its Own. Each camper selected an apple tree leaf, carefully observed every detail, and then entrusted it to us for a while. Later, when dozens of leaves were mixed together, the challenge was to find their own. At first glance they all looked nearly identical, but as campers slowed down, they began noticing tiny characteristics they had overlooked before—the shape of the edges, small blemishes, subtle color differences, the curve of the stem, even tiny insect bites. Before long, almost everyone had reunited with their leaf.

It reminded us of an important lesson that extends far beyond nature. The world is full of incredible things waiting to be noticed, but too often we move too quickly to really see them. Whether it's a leaf, a bird call, a kind gesture, or someone sitting quietly who could use a friend, noticing changes everything.

One of our campers, Jen T, shared a wonderful children's book called Noticing and suggested it might become part of our future camps. We loved the idea. Sometimes the best ideas come from the people around us, and we're grateful whenever campers help make STEAM in the PARK even better.

This evening we met with our new Book Buddies, sharing stories, conversations, and the excitement of getting to know someone new. Those partnerships always become one of our favorite parts of the week, and we can't wait to watch those friendships grow over the next few days.

As the sun began to set, we gathered around the beautiful campfire area at the Dunes Learning Center for one of the best camp traditions—s'mores. This year's version included classic chocolate bars from Walmart alongside some delicious Albanese chocolates, which made for some pretty amazing combinations. We also celebrated Satomi and Stefannie's birthdays with s'more cupcakes, plenty of laughter, and a campfire full of new friends singing "Happy Birthday."

We're so thankful to finally be here at Indiana Dunes National Park. A huge thank you to our host, Erin, at the Dunes Learning Center and to Ranger Erin from Indiana Dunes National Park for welcoming us so warmly. We have a feeling this first Indiana Dunes camp is going to become one we'll remember for a very long time.

Here's to an incredible week of learning, exploring, laughing, and noticing all the wonderful things this remarkable place has to teach us.