Heroes of the Storm

Step into the boots of a US Life Saving Service surfman! Sleeping Bear Dunes needs you—especially kids—to help practice the Beach Apparatus Drill. The Beach Apparatus was a land-based rescue method used by the US Life-Saving Service. A small cannon sent ropes out to a s......More

Step into the boots of a US Life Saving Service surfman! Sleeping Bear Dunes needs you—especially kids—to help practice the Beach Apparatus Drill. The Beach Apparatus was a land-based rescue method used by the US Life-Saving Service. A small cannon sent ropes out to a sinking ship, creating a zip-line from the ship to the shore. The apparatus saved thousands of lives nationwide, including here in the Manitou Passage.Join the demonstration to help "fire" a kid-powered Lyle Gun and rescue victims from a "shipwreck". No experience necessary—just a sense of adventure! Perfect for families, kids, and anyone curious about Great Lakes Maritime history. Arrive a few minutes early—drills begin on Thursday at 3 pm sharp. In past years, after the demonstration, a replica Lyle gun was fired on the beach using a black-powder charge. This firing will not occur in 2025. National Park Service historic weapons demonstrations can only be conducted by a certified Historic Weapons Supervisor. Sleeping Bear Dunes is currently without a Historic Weapons Supervisor. 

Program will take place in the green space between the Maritime Museum and the Boathouse.

Heroes of the Storm

Step into the boots of a US Life Saving Service surfman! Sleeping Bear Dunes needs you—especially kids—to help practice the Beach Apparatus Drill. The Beach Apparatus was a land-based rescue method used by the US Life-Saving Service. A small cannon sent ropes out to a s......More

Step into the boots of a US Life Saving Service surfman! Sleeping Bear Dunes needs you—especially kids—to help practice the Beach Apparatus Drill. The Beach Apparatus was a land-based rescue method used by the US Life-Saving Service. A small cannon sent ropes out to a sinking ship, creating a zip-line from the ship to the shore. The apparatus saved thousands of lives nationwide, including here in the Manitou Passage.Join the demonstration to help "fire" a kid-powered Lyle Gun and rescue victims from a "shipwreck". No experience necessary—just a sense of adventure! Perfect for families, kids, and anyone curious about Great Lakes Maritime history. Arrive a few minutes early—drills begin on Thursday at 3 pm sharp. In past years, after the demonstration, a replica Lyle gun was fired on the beach using a black-powder charge. This firing will not occur in 2025. National Park Service historic weapons demonstrations can only be conducted by a certified Historic Weapons Supervisor. Sleeping Bear Dunes is currently without a Historic Weapons Supervisor. 

Program will take place in the green space between the Maritime Museum and the Boathouse.

Heroes of the Storm

Step into the boots of a US Life Saving Service surfman! Sleeping Bear Dunes needs you—especially kids—to help practice the Beach Apparatus Drill. The Beach Apparatus was a land-based rescue method used by the US Life-Saving Service. A small cannon sent ropes out to a s......More

Step into the boots of a US Life Saving Service surfman! Sleeping Bear Dunes needs you—especially kids—to help practice the Beach Apparatus Drill. The Beach Apparatus was a land-based rescue method used by the US Life-Saving Service. A small cannon sent ropes out to a sinking ship, creating a zip-line from the ship to the shore. The apparatus saved thousands of lives nationwide, including here in the Manitou Passage.Join the demonstration to help "fire" a kid-powered Lyle Gun and rescue victims from a "shipwreck". No experience necessary—just a sense of adventure! Perfect for families, kids, and anyone curious about Great Lakes Maritime history. Arrive a few minutes early—drills begin on Thursday at 3 pm sharp. In past years, after the demonstration, a replica Lyle gun was fired on the beach using a black-powder charge. This firing will not occur in 2025. National Park Service historic weapons demonstrations can only be conducted by a certified Historic Weapons Supervisor. Sleeping Bear Dunes is currently without a Historic Weapons Supervisor. 

Program will take place in the green space between the Maritime Museum and the Boathouse.

Heroes of the Storm

Step into the boots of a US Life Saving Service surfman! Sleeping Bear Dunes needs you—especially kids—to help practice the Beach Apparatus Drill. The Beach Apparatus was a land-based rescue method used by the US Life-Saving Service. A small cannon sent ropes out to a s......More

Step into the boots of a US Life Saving Service surfman! Sleeping Bear Dunes needs you—especially kids—to help practice the Beach Apparatus Drill. The Beach Apparatus was a land-based rescue method used by the US Life-Saving Service. A small cannon sent ropes out to a sinking ship, creating a zip-line from the ship to the shore. The apparatus saved thousands of lives nationwide, including here in the Manitou Passage.Join the demonstration to help "fire" a kid-powered Lyle Gun and rescue victims from a "shipwreck". No experience necessary—just a sense of adventure! Perfect for families, kids, and anyone curious about Great Lakes Maritime history. Arrive a few minutes early—drills begin on Thursday at 3 pm sharp. In past years, after the demonstration, a replica Lyle gun was fired on the beach using a black-powder charge. This firing will not occur in 2025. National Park Service historic weapons demonstrations can only be conducted by a certified Historic Weapons Supervisor. Sleeping Bear Dunes is currently without a Historic Weapons Supervisor. 

Program will take place in the green space between the Maritime Museum and the Boathouse.

Trees!

with Anishinaabe historian Eric HemenwayThe Anishnaabek have relied, and continue to rely, on the trees of the Great Lakes for numerous jobs. From art to food to cultural resources, trees are a defining factor for the Michigan Anishnaabek.

Otter Creek Trailhead on Aral Rd closest to Esch Beach.

Not Just the Mainland: The Island Homes of the Anishnaabek

with Anishinaabe historian Eric HemenwayThe upper Great Lakes are home to hundreds of islands. Many of these were important village sites to the Odawa and Ojibway. This talk will explore this little known history of these important off shore homes.

We will meet at the Picnic Area across from the Glen Haven Cannery and Boat Museum.

Heroes of the Storm

Step into the boots of a US Life Saving Service surfman! Sleeping Bear Dunes needs you—especially kids—to help practice the Beach Apparatus Drill. The Beach Apparatus was a land-based rescue method used by the US Life-Saving Service. A small cannon sent ropes out to a s......More

Step into the boots of a US Life Saving Service surfman! Sleeping Bear Dunes needs you—especially kids—to help practice the Beach Apparatus Drill. The Beach Apparatus was a land-based rescue method used by the US Life-Saving Service. A small cannon sent ropes out to a sinking ship, creating a zip-line from the ship to the shore. The apparatus saved thousands of lives nationwide, including here in the Manitou Passage.Join the demonstration to help "fire" a kid-powered Lyle Gun and rescue victims from a "shipwreck". No experience necessary—just a sense of adventure! Perfect for families, kids, and anyone curious about Great Lakes Maritime history. Arrive a few minutes early—drills begin on Thursday at 3 pm sharp. In past years, after the demonstration, a replica Lyle gun was fired on the beach using a black-powder charge. This firing will not occur in 2025. National Park Service historic weapons demonstrations can only be conducted by a certified Historic Weapons Supervisor. Sleeping Bear Dunes is currently without a Historic Weapons Supervisor. 

Program will take place in the green space between the Maritime Museum and the Boathouse.

Heroes of the Storm

Step into the boots of a US Life Saving Service surfman! Sleeping Bear Dunes needs you—especially kids—to help practice the Beach Apparatus Drill. The Beach Apparatus was a land-based rescue method used by the US Life-Saving Service. A small cannon sent ropes out to a s......More

Step into the boots of a US Life Saving Service surfman! Sleeping Bear Dunes needs you—especially kids—to help practice the Beach Apparatus Drill. The Beach Apparatus was a land-based rescue method used by the US Life-Saving Service. A small cannon sent ropes out to a sinking ship, creating a zip-line from the ship to the shore. The apparatus saved thousands of lives nationwide, including here in the Manitou Passage.Join the demonstration to help "fire" a kid-powered Lyle Gun and rescue victims from a "shipwreck". No experience necessary—just a sense of adventure! Perfect for families, kids, and anyone curious about Great Lakes Maritime history. Arrive a few minutes early—drills begin on Thursday at 3 pm sharp. In past years, after the demonstration, a replica Lyle gun was fired on the beach using a black-powder charge. This firing will not occur in 2025. National Park Service historic weapons demonstrations can only be conducted by a certified Historic Weapons Supervisor. Sleeping Bear Dunes is currently without a Historic Weapons Supervisor. 

Program will take place in the green space between the Maritime Museum and the Boathouse.

Heroes of the Storm

Step into the boots of a US Life Saving Service surfman! Sleeping Bear Dunes needs you—especially kids—to help practice the Beach Apparatus Drill. The Beach Apparatus was a land-based rescue method used by the US Life-Saving Service. A small cannon sent ropes out to a s......More

Step into the boots of a US Life Saving Service surfman! Sleeping Bear Dunes needs you—especially kids—to help practice the Beach Apparatus Drill. The Beach Apparatus was a land-based rescue method used by the US Life-Saving Service. A small cannon sent ropes out to a sinking ship, creating a zip-line from the ship to the shore. The apparatus saved thousands of lives nationwide, including here in the Manitou Passage.Join the demonstration to help "fire" a kid-powered Lyle Gun and rescue victims from a "shipwreck". No experience necessary—just a sense of adventure! Perfect for families, kids, and anyone curious about Great Lakes Maritime history. Arrive a few minutes early—drills begin on Thursday at 3 pm sharp. In past years, after the demonstration, a replica Lyle gun was fired on the beach using a black-powder charge. This firing will not occur in 2025. National Park Service historic weapons demonstrations can only be conducted by a certified Historic Weapons Supervisor. Sleeping Bear Dunes is currently without a Historic Weapons Supervisor. 

Program will take place in the green space between the Maritime Museum and the Boathouse.

The Gift of Food

with Anishinaabe historian Eric Hemenway Like many peoples and cultures, the role of food is very important in Anishnaabek culture and history. Food has played a role in historical decision making as well as vital ceremonies.

Heroes of the Storm

Step into the boots of a US Life Saving Service surfman! Sleeping Bear Dunes needs you—especially kids—to help practice the Beach Apparatus Drill. The Beach Apparatus was a land-based rescue method used by the US Life-Saving Service. A small cannon sent ropes out to a s......More

Step into the boots of a US Life Saving Service surfman! Sleeping Bear Dunes needs you—especially kids—to help practice the Beach Apparatus Drill. The Beach Apparatus was a land-based rescue method used by the US Life-Saving Service. A small cannon sent ropes out to a sinking ship, creating a zip-line from the ship to the shore. The apparatus saved thousands of lives nationwide, including here in the Manitou Passage.Join the demonstration to help "fire" a kid-powered Lyle Gun and rescue victims from a "shipwreck". No experience necessary—just a sense of adventure! Perfect for families, kids, and anyone curious about Great Lakes Maritime history. Arrive a few minutes early—drills begin on Thursday at 3 pm sharp. In past years, after the demonstration, a replica Lyle gun was fired on the beach using a black-powder charge. This firing will not occur in 2025. National Park Service historic weapons demonstrations can only be conducted by a certified Historic Weapons Supervisor. Sleeping Bear Dunes is currently without a Historic Weapons Supervisor. 

Program will take place in the green space between the Maritime Museum and the Boathouse.