Friday, Jun 9, 2006
“Summer is a great time to enjoy ranger-led interpretive programs offered at Gulf Islands National Seashore,” states Superintendent Jerry Eubanks. All programs are free and open to the public.
Junior Ranger and Sea Star programs will be offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays from June 14 until July 22. All Junior Ranger and Sea Star programs are free and meet at the Gulf Islands Visitor Contact Station from 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Junior Ranger programs are open to all children ages 6 to 11. Junior Rangers that attend four different programs can participate in the Ship Island Field Trip on July 26. The Ship Island Field Trip includes seining, cast netting, touring Fort Massachusetts, and light refreshments. Junior Rangers will be eligible for a free ticket on the ferry that day, but family and friends must pay the normal ticket price. A variety of Junior Ranger programs will be offered each Wednesday from June 14 until July 22 and repeated the following Saturday.
Sea Star programs are for children ages 3 to 5. For more information about the Junior Ranger and Sea Star programs, call 228-875-9057.
On Saturdays at 1:30 p.m., join Park Interns on the north beach of West Ship Island for a free Marine Explorers program perfect for budding marine biologists. Participants will get a chance to throw a cast net or pull a large seine net through the water and discover the marine life of Gulf Islands National Seashore.
Historic Fort Massachusetts on West Ship Island is open for the visiting public. The ranger-led Fort Massachusetts Tour is offered daily at 10:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Passenger ferry service to West Ship Island is from the Gulfport Small Craft Harbor, located at the intersection of Highways 90 and 49. Visitors should bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and water for their trip to West Ship Island. Although the pier and boardwalk are complete, there are no restrooms, water or shade on the island. Restrooms are located on the Ship Island Excursion Ferry, and chairs and umbrellas are available for rental on the gulf beach. On board the passenger ferries, Island Treasures Talks will be presented daily. For more information on ferry service to West Ship Island, contact Ship Island Excursions at 228-864-1014.
The Gulf Islands Visitor Contact Station is located off U.S. Highway 90 East in Ocean Springs and is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information about Gulf Islands National Seashore and programs offered, call 228-875-9057 or visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/guis/.
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