State Park Events & Programs

Upcoming Events

State Park

Digging Devonian Fossils – Paleontology Explorer
April 26 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Where are Devonian fossils found? Why are they harder to find than fossils from other periods around here? The naturalist and park paleontologist, Alan Goldstein, will show different types of fossils and where to look for them. A Devonian fossil (not from the Falls) will be given to each parti…
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State Park

Spring Bird Hike
April 27 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Join naturalist Nick Feltner and explore the Falls of the Ohio in search of resident and migratory birds. Bring binoculars if possible. This free program meets on the deck by the interpretive center. …
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State Park

Junior Paleontologist Program
May 3 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
We’ve developed a Junior Paleontologist program, similar to what some national parks offer but focusing on our area. This family program is geared for ages 6 – 14. The activity booklet is still in “test” form. Join park paleontologist Alan Goldstein as we have some fun learning about fossils. …
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State Park

Petrified Wood
May 4 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Trees have been around since the Devonian Period, over 380 million years. These fossils are found in different geological periods across the world. Dale Brown will bring in examples of petrified wood (many are very beautiful) as well as some fossil leaves. He will talk about the history of tre…
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Foundation State Park

Waldron Shale Project- Teacher Professional Development
June 17 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
The Waldron Shale Project – June 17, 2025 This June (2025), Mr. Alan Goldstein of the Falls of the Ohio State Park and Mr. Chris Jozefowicz of Jefferson Community and Technical College will offer a professional development workshop “The Waldron Shale Project: Fossil identification and analysis…
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Past Events

Foundation State Park

Earth Day 2025 Cleanup Event
April 22 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
We’re excited to invite you to our Community Clean-Up to celebrate Earth Day and give back to the environment! This is a fantastic opportunity to get outdoors, connect with your community, and make a positive impact by helping clean up one of our region’s most beautiful natural spaces! Mee…
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State Park

Lewis & Clark Junior Ranger Program
April 19 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
As an official stop on the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, we offer the National Park’s Lewis & Clark Junior Ranger program. It comes with a J. R. activity booklet, and participants (geared for age 7 to 13) will get a Junior Ranger pin after filling the activity booklet out. Co…
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State Park

Clay Tiles – Art at the Falls
April 13 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Participants will design clay tiles with guidance from artist Mike Gibson. $2 program free covered by a grant from the Falls of the Ohio Foundation. Meets in the picnic area unless inclement weather, then in rotunda. …
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State Park

Petrified Wood
April 6 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Trees have been around since the Devonian Period, over 380 million years. These fossils are found in different geological periods across the world. Dale Brown will bring in examples of petrified wood (many are very beautiful) as well as some fossil leaves. He will talk about the history of tre…
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State Park

What are Animals?
April 5 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
We live our lives surrounded by an amazing variety of lifeforms. What characteristics make animals unique among living things? Biologist Chris Jozefowicz will discuss the evolution and characteristics of animals, including many of the forms represented in the Falls of the Ohio fossil beds. $2 …
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State Park

Junior Paleontologist Program
April 5 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
We’ve developed a Junior Paleontologist program, similar to what some national parks offer but focusing on our area. This family program is geared for ages 6 – 14. The activity booklet is still in “test” form. Join park paleontologist Alan Goldstein as we have some fun learning about fossils. …
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State Park

Geology of the Falls of the Ohio
April 2 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
An overview of the geology and paleontology, research results and outstanding specimens and some of their fascinating stories presented by interpretive naturalist and park paleontologist, Alan Goldstein, retiring later this year. Meets in the classroom. Your $2 program fee is covered by a gran…
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State Park

Wind Art – Art at the Falls
March 30 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Using drinking straws and watercolor, participants will create designs by blowing the wet paint around. This activity requires more hot air than skill! Guided by artist Mike Gibson. $2 program free covered by a grant from the Falls of the Ohio Foundation. Meets in the rotunda. …
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State Park

Seeking Silurian Fossils – Paleontology Explorer
March 29 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Where are Silurian fossils found? Why are they harder to find than Ordovician fossils? What was life like in the Silurian Period in our area? The naturalist and park paleontologist, Alan Goldstein, will show different types of fossils and where to look for them. Silurian fossil will be given t…
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State Park

Birding Basics
March 26 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Learn about birdwatching basics from Tom & Colleen Becker, long-time birders. They will teach you how to identify birds by sight and by sound, what equipment you need and apps that will help with identification. Find out about year-round birds and those that only migrate through or visit f…
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State Park

Raptor Day
March 22 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Jared Everett, Interpreter with the Dwight Chamberlain Raptor Center at Hardy Lake, will bring raptors from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. A variety of activities will be led with park volunteers inside the Interpretive Center. There will be two live bird programs: Daytime Raptors* at 11 AM (planned sp…
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State Park

Geology for Travelers – Geology from an Airplane Window
March 19 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
If you are one of those people who loves a window seat in a plane, this program is for you. The landscape at 10 to 35 thousand feet shows the big picture: land uplifted by tectonics and dissected by water creating a panoply of landscapes. Alan Goldstein, park interpretive naturalist, will reve…
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State Park

The Edible Past – Family Nature Club
March 16 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Imagine what many of the shelled fossil animals, found in stones might have tasted like when they were alive. How are they different, or similar to the shelled seafood that we eat today. Park volunteer ‘Paleo Dale’ will discuss this topic and display some fossil shelled seafood from his privat…
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State Park

Sulf-Ides of March
March 15 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Enjoy some wordplay and celebrate the Ides of March with an informative program about metals called ‘sulfides.’ These minerals have been used long before Julius Caesar ran into a metal blade. Sulfide minerals are essential in our lives from tools to buildings. Crystals are attractive to miner…
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State Park

Fossil Collecting in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio
March 9 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio are known for their invertebrate fossils that date from 300 to 450 million years ago. Volunteer Dale Brown will bring fossils he has collected and talk about finding fossils, with tips to help budding paleontologists. …
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State Park

Lewis & Clark Junior Ranger Program
March 8 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
As an official stop on the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, we offer the National Park’s Lewis & Clark Junior Ranger program. It comes with a J. R. activity booklet, and participants (geared for age 7 to 13) will get a Junior Ranger pin after filling the activity booklet out. Co…
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State Park

Earth Caches
March 2 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Earth caching is an outdoor recreational activity where a GPS or smartphone is used guide the player to a specific location to see a feature of historical or geological significance. Volunteer Bob Thesier will provide an overview of earth caching and how it differs from geocaching. Weather pe…
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State Park

Junior Paleontologist Program
March 1 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
We’re developing a Junior Paleontologist program, similar to what some national parks offer but focusing on our area. This family program is geared for the same age as our Lewis & Clark Junior Ranger program – ages 6 – 13. We will be beta testing most of the activities in a booklet under d…
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State Park

The Science of Natural Disasters
February 26 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Natural hazards are a part of living on a dynamic planet. Their causes are many, and their effects can be devastating. In this presentation, Dr. Kate Bulinski will be discussing the scientific causes of hazards and some of the ways that humans can reduce their impact. Dr. Kate Bulinski is an a…
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State Park

Snowflake Art – Art at the Falls
February 23 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Winter art means snowflake art. Join artist Mike Gibson in an activity that explores these six-side crystals. $2 program fee covered by a grant from the Falls of the Ohio Foundation. Meets in the rotunda. …
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State Park

Collecting Ordovician Fossils – Paleontology Explorer
February 22 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Where are Ordovician fossils found? Why are they so easy to collect? The naturalist will show different types of fossils and where to look for them. Meet in the rotunda. Free program. …
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State Park

Pollinator Fun – Family Nature Club
February 16 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
It’s hard to think about pollinators in winter but it’s good to think of the warm weather and flowers coming spring. Park volunteer, Wayne Kimbel, will provide an activity from our pollinator trunk. This program will be held in the rotunda. Your $2 program fee is covered by a grant from the Fa…
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State Park

Winter bird hike
February 15 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Hike around the park and observe the winter birds. Bring binoculars. Nick Feltner will be leading this free activity. Meet in the rotunda. …
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State Park

Launching Cupid’s Arrows
February 9 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Join volunteer and science educator, Laura Swessel, in an activity where you will make and launch small arrows at a ‘heart’ target. Learn about trajectory and force to shoot your arrows. This is a modified version of a model rocket activity. The $2 program fee is covered by a Falls of the Ohio…
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State Park

Cupid’s Arrows
February 9 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Join volunteer and science educator, Laura Swessel, in an activity where you will make and launch small arrows at a ‘heart’ target. Learn about trajectory and force to shoot your arrows. This is a modified version of a model rocket activity. The $2 program fee is covered by a Falls of the Ohio…
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State Park

Lewis & Clark Junior Ranger Program
February 8 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
As an official stop on the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, we offer the National Park’s Lewis & Clark Junior Ranger program. It comes with a J. R. activity booklet, and participants (geared for age 7 to 13) will get a Junior Ranger pin after filling the activity booklet out. Co…
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State Park

Butterfly Lifecycles
February 2 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Learn about the life cycle of butterflies and moths with a hands-on activity making a representation from egg to adult. Volunteer Bob Thesier will guide this activity. Meet in the rotunda. The $2 program fee is covered by a Falls of the Ohio Foundation grant. …
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State Park

Junior Paleontologist Program
February 1 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
We’re developing a Junior Paleontologist program, similar to what some national parks offer but focusing on our area. This family program is geared for the same age as our Lewis & Clark Junior Ranger program – ages 6 – 13. We will be beta testing most of the activities in a booklet under d…
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State Park

What happened to mastodons and how do we know?”
January 29 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Catalina Tome’, curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Indiana state Museum, explores the extinction of many mammal species at the end of the Ice Age. What happens when we find a mastodon? She will discuss how bones are identified, how we age individuals, and the background of how radiocarbon…
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State Park

Mixed Media Natural Valentine Greeting Cards – Art at the Falls
January 26 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Make a valentine greeting card using natural materials and various media. Yours will be a great one-of-kind greeting card. Artist Mike Gibson will work with you. $2 program fee covered by the Falls of the Ohio Foundation. Meets in the rotunda. …
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State Park

A peek at the park’s collection – Paleontology Explorer
January 25 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
We will look at the collections room and pull a few drawers to show you a sample of what’s in our special cabinets. Geology, archaeology and very old books are among the items you might see. Limited to 10 at a time, so there will rotations if there are a lot of people. Free program, meets in t…
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State Park

Early Cretaceous Ecosystems
January 25 @ 3:00 am – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Early Cretaceous fossils are found in the eastern U.S. The plants tell scientists a lot about these ancient ecosystems. Dr. David W. Taylor, paleobotanist with Indiana University Southeast, will interpret life 100 million years ago based on his research. This free program will be held in the I…
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State Park

Discovering Dinosaurs – Family Nature Club
January 19 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
The world is fascinated about dinosaurs and how they lived. Park volunteer Dale Brown will talk about the Dinosaur Renaissance and commonly asked questions about how these fascinating creatures, who roamed and dominated the Earth for 170 million years, lived and thrived. Meet in the rotunda. F…
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State Park

Saving America’s Largest Salamander – The Hellbender
January 18 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Indiana is home to America’s largest salamander, called the Hellbender. It is only found in one Indiana river – the Blue River in Harrison County. Come and learn about this amazing aquatic animal, what makes it special, and what you can do to keep its habitat clean. This hands-on program will …
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State Park

Discover Our Land with Roadside Geology
January 8 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Whether you are traveling across the county or across the country, the surface geology is revealed by landscape and the internal “anatomy” can be seen in road cuts and natural exposures. Alan Goldstein, park interpretive naturalist, will reveal tips and resources that will help you appreciate …
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State Park

Snowflake Art
January 5 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Winter art means snowflake art. Join volunteer Wayne Kimbel in an activity that explores these six-side crystals. $2 program fee covered by a grant from the Falls of the Ohio Foundation. Meets in the rotunda. …
Read More
State Park

Junior Paleontologist Program
January 4 @ 1:00 am – 2:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
We’re developing a Junior Paleontologist program, similar to what some national parks offer but focusing on our area. This family program is geared for the same age as our Lewis & Clark Junior Ranger program – ages 6 – 13. We will be beta testing most of the activities in a booklet under develop…
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State Park

First Day Hike
January 1 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Kick off the New Year with a little exercise and exploration at the Falls of the Ohio State Park from 1:00 to 2:30 PM. Hike along the upper fossil beds and learn about Devonian sea life, plants and animals that live along the river’s edge. Bring binoculars to look for winter birds. Building will ope…
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State Park

“Twigs” – STEM program for Preschoolers
December 30, 2024 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
“Twigs” is our little STEM program for 3- to 5-year-olds. Volunteer naturalist, Dominique McCowan, developed a hands-on program where youngsters can build, create, and think in STEM (which stands for science, technology, engineering, and math). Twigs will offer an activity in the Interpretive Cente…
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State Park

Make a Nature Party Hat – Art at Falls
December 29, 2024 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Are your children having their own New Year’s Eve celebration at home? Come to our special year-end Art at the Falls program and decorate a New Year’s Eve party hat with natural materials. Special time 2 to 3 PM. Artist Mike Gibson will lead this activity. The $2 program fee is covered by a Falls of…
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State Park

The Unusual Suspects – Who did it? – Paleontology Explorer
December 28, 2024 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Paleontologists deal in mysteries just like a police detective. They both look at evidence to recreate a scene. With paleontologists, the scene involves what we call “trace fossils.” Some provide hints at how things lived, feed, or behaved. Park paleontologist, Alan Goldstein, will explore wha…
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State Park

Elf on a Shell – Family Nature Club
December 22, 2024 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Using acorns and twigs, dressed in colorful cloth, participants will make ornaments with a seashell base. Guided by artist Mike Gibson. Meets in the rotunda. $2 program fee covered by a grant from the Falls of the Ohio Foundation….
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State Park

‘Twas the Hike Before Christmas
December 21, 2024 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
T’was the hike before Christmas, and all through the park, the naturalist led an outing, before it got dark… River level permitting, naturalist Alan Goldstein will lead a hike on the fossil beds. Meets on the deck and moves to the wheelchair turnaround before we head towards Fisherman’s Point …
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State Park

Gifts from the Ancient Past
December 16, 2024 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
Park volunteer ‘Paleo Dale’ will describe about some of the many fossils the Earth has left us and why they are so precious. Visitors will receive a free fossil for the holidays. Meet in the Interpretive Center’s rotunda. Free program, no RSVP needed….
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State Park

“Twigs” – STEM program for Preschoolers
December 16, 2024 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
“Twigs” is our little STEM program for 3- to 5-year-olds. Volunteer naturalist, Dominique McCowan, developed a hands-on program where youngsters can build, create, and think in STEM (which stands for science, technology, engineering, and math). Twigs will offer an activity in the Interpretive Cente…
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State Park

Lewis & Clark Junior Ranger Program
December 14, 2024 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pmVenue : 201 W. Riverside Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 United States
As an official stop on the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, we offer the National Park’s Lewis & Clark Junior Ranger program. It comes with a J. R. activity booklet, and participants (geared for age 7 to 13) will get a Junior Ranger pin after filling the activity booklet out. …
Read More
State Park

Junior Paleontologist Program
December 7, 2024 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
We’re developing a Junior Paleontologist program, similar to what some national parks offer but focusing on our area. This family program is geared for the same age as our Lewis & Clark Junior Ranger program – ages 6 – 13. We will be beta testing most of the activities in a booklet under de…
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State Park

What has branches but isn’t a tree?
November 30, 2024 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Branching is common is nature. Trees may be the most familiar, but they weren’t the first – by a long shot. We will look at marine fossils that branch – corals, bryozoans, and others – and discuss why branches form. What else branches in nature that isn’t alive? Come find out. Park naturalist and…
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IN THE FALLS OF THE OHIO REGION.