Merry Lea hosts sixth annual NatureFest May 15-16 for whole family

WOLF LAKE, Ind. – Can't afford that beach condo this year? A tight economy doesn't mean Northern Indiana families can't enjoy a weekend get-away. Merry Lea's NatureFest, less than an hour's drive from either Goshen or Fort Wayne, offers a weekend packed with unique opportunities for under $50 for the whole family.

NatureFest begins Friday, May 15 at 6:30 p.m. when the first participants will begin pitching their tents on the lawn at Merry Lea's Farmstead site. Long lines, litter and noise are not a problem at this best-kept secret. At 7:30 p.m., attenders can gather for an informal campfire where they can roast marshmallows and tell stories. During last year's event, a rainbow graced this hour.

At 8:30 p.m., Steve Shantz, an amateur astronomer from Goshen, Ind., will arrive with his hand-made telescope. "Saturn will be positioned high in the sky at sunset, perfect for viewing," Shantz said. Weather permitting, he also hopes to show the group spring constellations such as Leo, Gemini, Auriga, Hydra, Virgo, Bootes and Hercules. Clouds or rain will not deter Shantz, who can talk about anything from how to make a telescope to the discovery of helium on the sun.

On Saturday, May 16, participants can choose from a wide range of outdoor activities such as a 5-K run, canoeing, geocaching, a hike focusing on medicinal plants or a tour of Merry Lea's green buildings and their energy-saving strategies. Some events are especially for children or adults; most will be fun for the whole family.

Among this year's new workshops are:

Gardening show-and-tell: Visit Merry Lea's gardens with agroecologist Dale Hess and get tips on how to wait out the economy with a full freezer.

Bird Banding: Participants can touch live birds caught in mist nets, learn how to tell their age and condition and gain an appreciation for this important research.

Reptiles and Amphibians: Todd Weston, a graduate student in Merry Lea's master's program in environmental education, has been a fan of these cold-blooded creatures since childhood. He'll show a number of his friends up close; then lead the group herp-hunting in likely ecosystems.

The weekend ends with an outdoor concert by The Naturals, from Goshen. The Naturals play a mix of contemporary World Beat rhythms, with a new twist on traditional folk songs. "We will have you dancing and singing in no time," said Sonny Carreño, the band's percussionist. "Some of our music has a strong social justice theme; some is just fun," added vocalist Nayla Jimenez, who is also a graduate student in Merry Lea's master's program.

The complete NatureFest schedule and registration information is available on Merry Lea's Web site at www.goshen.edu/merrylea/merrynews/NatureFest09why.php. Please register in advance. For more information, call (260) 799-5869 or e-mail jenniferhs@goshen.edu.

Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College is a 1,189-acre nature preserve located in central Noble County, midway between Fort Wayne and Goshen. Merry Lea's landscape includes a diversity of forest, prairie and wetland ecosystems. The center provides environmental education to people of all ages, including over 7,000 school children each year. Merry Lea was created with the assistance of the Nature Conservancy and the generosity of Lee A. and Mary Jane Rieth.

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college's Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron's Best Buys in Education, "Colleges of Distinction," "Making a Difference College Guide" and U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" edition, which named Goshen a "least debt college." Visit www.goshen.edu.