July and August Ranger Programs for Kids at the Portage Lake and Calumet Libraries

HOUGHTON, MICH. –  In July and August, join a park ranger for programs celebrating the cultural history of Isle Royale National Park. Programs are geared for families and youth ages 5 to 12 and average 45 minutes. Programs at the Portage Lake District Library, Houghton, Michigan, are held on Tuesdays at 1 pm, July 17 – August 21. Programs at the Calumet Public School Library, Calumet, Michigan, are held on listed Fridays at 1 pm.

July Programs

• Shipwreck Archaeology: Things CRASH on rocks! Ten major ships have sunk in the treacherous waters of Isle Royale. Join Ranger Alyssa to become underwater archaeologists and uncover a mysterious shipwreck from Isle Royale’s past.

o   Tuesday, July 17, 2018, 1 pm: Portage Lake District Library

o   Friday, July 20, 2018, 1 pm: Calumet Public School Library

• Lighthouses: More Than A Light: Lighthouses have protected passengers to Isle Royale for over a hundred years. How do lighthouses prevent shipwrecks? Join Ranger Derrick to build your own Isle Royale lighthouse and discover the secret world of lighthouse messages.

o   Tuesday, July 24, 2018, 1 pm: Portage Lake District Library

o   Friday, July 27, 2018, 1 pm: Calumet Public School Library

• Crossing Lake Superior: Watercraft of all sizes have crossed Lake Superior to bring people to Isle Royale. Would you travel in a canoe? Some did. How about a small boat, a steamship, a freighter? Join Ranger Derrick and choose what vessel you think would best cross Lake Superior.

o   Tuesday, July 31, 2018, 1 pm: Portage Lake District Library

August Programs

• Isle Royale History Mysteries—The First Layer: When was the last time you dug through dirt and discovered something awesome? Archaeologists do this every day. Now it’s your turn to join Ranger Alyssa and uncover the first layer of Isle Royale’s past.

o   Tuesday, August 7, 2018, 1 pm: Portage Lake District Library

• Isle Royale History Mysteries—Digging Deeper: Native Americans have utilized fish, copper, and rocks of Isle Royale for over 5,000 years. Join Ranger Alyssa to sift through the second layer of a mock archaeological excavation. By using what you uncover, help recreate the past to survive Isle Royale’s wilderness.

o   Tuesday, August 14, 2018, 1 pm: Portage Lake District Library

o   Friday, August 17, 2018, 1 pm: Calumet Public School Library

• Isle Royale Symbols: A Bison. A Lake. A Mountain. A Tree. An Arrowhead. These things come together to create the National Park Service symbol found on ranger uniforms, signs, and buildings. Join Ranger Derrick to explore the Arrowhead Symbol through Isle Royale National Park.

o   Tuesday, August 21, 2018, 1 pm: Portage Lake District Library

o   Friday, August 24, 2018, 1 pm: Calumet Public School Library