Summer programs in full swing at Cape Henlopen State Park
With more than 30 programs every week, Cape Henlopen State Park has something for everyone this summer. Programs continue until late August, but many of them fill quickly. Call the Seaside Nature Center at 302-645-6852 to sign up.
Seining the bay takes place at 9 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. Dolphin watch occurs at 9;30 a.m., Tuesdays, and beachcombing is at 9:30 a.m., Thursdays. Search for ghost crabs on the Ghost Crab Walk at 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays in July and at 8 p.m. in August.
Those who want to stay inside can meet live reptiles during the Snakes and Turtles program at 2 p.m., Wednesdays. At 3 p.m., Fridays is Beat the Heat, with a rotating set of topics including sharks, crabs, and park history. A special program for 6- to 9-year-olds, Junior Nature Rangers, which includes games, crafts and other activities, takes place at 3 p.m., Thursdays.
Campers and non-campers alike are welcome to campground programs. At 5 and 6 p.m., Tuesdays are hayrides through the park. At 7:30 p.m., Saturdays is the Campfire Circle, featuring a rotating series of programs about the park at night, with occasional special appearances by pirates.
Guided Kayak Eco-Tours take place in the morning at 10 a.m., Wednesday through Sunday; Sunset Eco-Tours are offered at 6:30 p.m., Tuesdays. Visitors can also rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fort Miles offers afternoon tours of Battery 519 at 2 p.m., Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays as well as evening Lantern Tours at 8:30 p.m. in July and 8 p.m. in August on Wednesdays and Saturdays. There’s also a special program for kids ages 8-12 at 10 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, on World War II Games. For its 50th anniversary, Cape Henlopen State Park is also hosting a variety of special events. Check out the program calendar for more information at destateparks.com, or stop by the Seaside Nature Center to pick one up.
The Seaside Nature Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Borrow-A-Bike program is available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting. Park entrance fees are in effect.
More information about programs offered at Cape Henlopen and all of Delaware State Parks can be found at destateparks.com.
