It is recommended that you always contact any site, prior to attending a program, to confirm that the program is still ongoing. Events in light grey are those that have been previously advertised, but have been cancelled.

The Children In Nature program is a multi-state initiative, offering a variety of opportunities for children to experience and benefit from the natural world.

Sundays, Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville - Primitive Woodworking, 11a.m. - 3p.m. This demonstration program features the use of a froe for splitting wood and the use of a shaving horse and drawknives to make wooden objects such as spoons, paddles, canes and tool handles. For more information call 888-677-3668 toll free or 624-4130 locally.

Mondays, Bayou Segnette State Park, Westwego - Morning Birding, 8 a.m. Join the park ranger in observing the morning birds in the park. All ages and experience levels are invited. For more information call 888-677-2296 toll free or 736-7155 locally.

Wednesday-Sunday, Otis House-Fairview-Riverside State Park, Madisonville - Guided Tours. Tours of the Otis House c.1885 cover local history during the 1880s-1930s time span. The tour reveals architectural features, home life, and details of the sawmill industry during the timber boom years. Tours on the hour 9 a.m.-5 p.m. except noon. For more information call 888-667-3247 toll free or 985-792-4652-Otis House locally.

Fridays, Bayou Segnette State Park, Westwego - Campground Walk, 11 a.m. Guests are invited to meet by site 96 in the campground and join the park ranger in a walk around the campground. For more information call 888-677-2296 toll free or 736-7155 locally.

Saturdays, Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville - Nature: A Closer Look, 9 a.m. Participants will hike with a site ranger along the nature trail for a more observant look at the natural world and will discuss information from the tallest trees to the smallest spiders. The walk will pass through the East Marsh Boardwalk, the alley of oaks and end by the old sugar mill. For more information call 888-677-3668 toll free or 624-4130 locally.

Saturdays, Bogue Chitto State Park, Franklinton - Trail Hike, 9-10 a.m. Join the park ranger on a casual walk though one of many trails at Bogue Chitto SP and learn about the wildlife and habitat of the area. For more information call 888-677-7312 toll free or 839-5707 locally.

May 5, Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville - Fontainebleau History Tour, 11 a.m. Meet the site ranger at the Sugar Mill Ruins to learn about the history of the park. Take a stroll down the Alley of The Oaks while discussing the intriguing life of Bernard de Marigny and his influence of Louisiana's history. For more information call 888-677-3668 toll free or 624-4130 locally.

May 5, Bogue Chitto State Park, Franklinton - Scavenger Hunt, 1-2 p.m. Join the park ranger in a scavenger hunt to test your visual skills by finding answers to the clues given while walking on the hiking trails. For more information call 888-677-7312 toll free or 839-5707 locally.

May 12, Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville - Fish Prints, 10:30 a.m. Visitors will make a fish print from a rubber mold with paint onto paper. For more information call 888-677-3668 toll free or 624-4130 locally.

May 12, Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville - Alligator Life, 11 a.m. Meet the site ranger for a program that will discuss one of Louisiana's most well known residents: the American Alligator. For more information call 888-677-3668 toll free or 624-4130 locally.

May 12, Bogue Chitto State Park, Franklinton - Mother's Day Craft, 1-2 p.m. Join the park ranger in creating a Mother's Day themed craft. For more information call 888-677-7312 toll free or 839-5707 locally.

May 12 & 26, Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville - Wonder of Wetlands, 1 p.m. Participants will meet the Interpretive Ranger on the lakefront where they will learn about erosion and what is being done to preserve the shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain. They will then use scoop nets to collect aquatic wildlife. The ranger will then help in the identification of specimens caught. For more information call 888-677-3668 toll free or 624-4130 locally.

May 19, Fairview-Riverside State Park, Madisonville - Bait-N-Wait Kid's Fishing Derby, 8 a.m. - noon, On National Kids to Parks Day, children ages 15 and under are invited to fish along the banks of the Tchefuncte River and at the pond near Otis House. Fish will be identified, measured, and weighed during this catch and release program with prizes awarded for various categories. A casting competition is also included during the event and mini-anglers under five years old may participate in magnetic fishing and create fish prints to take home. Participants need to bring their own fishing poles and bait. Registration is requested and the program is free with general park admission. For more information and to register call 888-677-3247 toll free or 985-792-4652, Otis House locally.

May 19, Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville - Can I Eat That? 10:30 a.m. Join the site ranger for a hike focusing on the edibility of plants that can be found along the nature trail. For more information call 888-677-3668 toll free or 624-4130 locally.

May 19, Bogue Chitto State Park, Franklinton - Introduction to Camping, 1-2 p.m. Join the park ranger to learn the basics in tent camping. Suggested supplies, equipment requirements and safety issues will also be discussed. For more information call 888-677-7312 toll free or 839-5707 locally.

May 19, Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville - Nature Hayride, 3 p.m. Hay wagon pulled by tractor will pick up riders at the Visitor Center, to see the natural world at Fontainebleau State Park. The ranger will identify the flora and fauna encountered along the way, with emphasis on poisonous plants. Hayride will go along the main road to the lakefront, through the campground and back to the Visitor Center. The ride is limited to 30 participants; for more information call 888-677-3668 toll free or 624-4130 locally.

May 26, Bogue Chitto State Park, Franklinton - Earth's Recyclers, 1-2 p.m. Join the park ranger in exploring and learning about the different insects and other things that help break down the fallen trees, branches and leaves in the woods. For more information call 888-677-7312 toll free or 839-5707 locally.

Sundays, Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville - Primitive Woodworking, 11a.m. - 3p.m. This demonstration program features the use of a froe for splitting wood and the use of a shaving horse and drawknives to make wooden objects such as spoons, paddles, canes and tool handles. For more information call 888-677-3668 toll free or 624-4130 locally.

Mondays, Bayou Segnette State Park, Westwego - Morning Birding, 8 a.m. Join the park ranger in observing the morning birds in the park. All ages and experience levels are invited. For more information call 888-677-2296 toll free or 736-7155 locally.

Wednesday-Sunday, Otis House-Fairview-Riverside State Park, Madisonville - Guided Tours. Tours of the Otis House c.1885 cover local history during the 1880s-1930s time span. The tour reveals architectural features, home life, and details of the sawmill industry during the timber boom years. Tours on the hour 9 a.m.-5 p.m. except noon. For more information call 888-667-3247 toll free or 985-792-4652-Otis House locally.

Fridays and Saturdays, Bogue Chitto State Park, Franklinton - Trail Hike, 9-10 a.m. Join the park ranger on a casual walk through one of the park's many trails and learn about the wildlife and habitat of the area. For more information call 888-677-7312 toll free or 634-5710 locally.

Fridays, Bayou Segnette State Park, Westwego - Campground Walk, 11 a.m. Guests are invited to meet by site 96 in the campground and join the park ranger in a walk around the campground. For more information call 888-677-2296 toll free or 736-7155 locally.

Saturdays, Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville - Nature: A Closer Look, 9 a.m. Participants will hike with a site ranger along the nature trail for a more observant look at the natural world and will discuss information from the tallest trees to the smallest spiders. The walk will pass through the East Marsh Boardwalk, the alley of oaks and end by the old sugar mill. For more information call 888-677-3668 toll free or 624-4130 locally.

June 1, Bogue Chitto State Park, Franklinton - Flower Pressing, 1-2 p.m. Join the park ranger for an informative discussion and tips to press flowers for use in crafts and decorations. For more information call 888-677-7312 toll free or 634-5710 locally.

June 2, Bogue Chitto State Park, Franklinton - Aquatic Discovery, 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. Guests are invited to join the park ranger in dip netting at one of the ponds to discover some of the different species that live in the water. For more information call 888-677-7312 toll free or 634-5710 locally.

June 2, 16 & 30, Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville - Can I Eat That? 10:30 a.m. Join the site ranger for a hike focusing on the edibility of plants that can be found along the nature trail. For more information call 888-677-3668 toll free or 624-4130 locally.

June 2, Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville - Fontainebleau History Tour, 11 a.m. Meet the site ranger at the Sugar Mill Ruins to learn about the history of the park. Take a stroll down the Alley of The Oaks while discussing the intriguing life of Bernard de Marigny and his influence of Louisiana's history. For more information call 888-677-3668 toll free or 624-4130 locally.

June 2 & 30, Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville - Explore the Shore, 1 p.m. Join the park ranger to explore the lakefront to discover the biodiversity of plant and animal life found there. For more information call 888-677-3668 toll free or 624-4130 locally.

June 8, Bogue Chitto State Park, Franklinton - Signs of Life, 1-2 p.m. The park ranger will lead a hike to locate and identify various signs that wildlife leave behind as they travel in the park. For more information call 888-677-7312 toll free or 634-5710 locally.

June 9, Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville - Fish Prints, 10:30 a.m. Visitors will make a fish print from a rubber mold with paint onto paper. For more information call 888-677-3668 toll free or 624-4130 locally.

June 9, Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville - Alligator Life, 11 a.m. Meet the site ranger for a program that will discuss one of Louisiana's most well known residents: the American Alligator. For more information call 888-677-3668 toll free or 624-4130 locally.

June 9, Bogue Chitto State Park, Franklinton - Introduction to Camping, 1-2 p.m. Join the park ranger to learn the basics in tent camping. Suggested supplies, equipment requirements and safety issues will also be discussed. For more information call 888-677-7312 toll free or 839-5707 locally.

June 9 & 23, Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville - Wonder of Wetlands, 1 p.m. Participants will meet the Interpretive Ranger on the lakefront where they will learn about erosion and what is being done to preserve the shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain. They will then use scoop nets to collect aquatic wildlife. The ranger will then help in the identification of specimens caught. For more information call 888-677-3668 toll free or 624-4130 locally.

June 15, Bogue Chitto State Park, Franklinton - Toad Abode, 1-2 p.m. Guests are invited to join the park ranger in creating a hiding place/home for toads to shelter in your yard. Toads consume large amounts of insects and are beneficial in insect control. For more information call 888-677-7312 toll free or 839-5707 locally.

June 16, Fairview-Riverside State Park, Madisonville - Birding at Fairview, 8-9:30 a.m. Join the site ranger to discover common birds that inhabit Fairview. Methods of bird identification and eating and nesting habits will be covered. Bring comfortable shoes, binoculars, and sunscreen for this informative walk through the park. For more information call 888-677-3247 or 985-792-4652.

July 16, Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville - March to the Marsh, 11 a.m. Join the park ranger on a nature walk to the Alligator Marsh Boardwalk. Visitors will learn about the incredible beauty, species diversity and importance of the marsh. For more information call 888-677-3668 toll free or 624-4130 locally.

June 16, Bogue Chitto State Park, Franklinton - Father's Day Craft, 1-2 p.m. Join the park ranger in creating a small gift for father's day to give to the one you love. For more information call 888-677-7312 toll free or 839-5707 locally.

June 16, Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville - Nature Hayride, 3 p.m. Hay wagon pulled by tractor will pick up riders at the Visitor Center, to see the natural world at Fontainebleau State Park. The ranger will identify the flora and fauna encountered along the way, with emphasis on poisonous plants. Hayride will go along the main road to the lakefront, through the campground and back to the Visitor Center. The ride is limited to 30 participants; for more information call 888-677-3668 toll free or 624-4130 locally.

June 22, Bogue Chitto State Park, Franklinton - Planting for Birds and Butterflies, 1-2 p.m. Participants will learn about how to create an outdoor garden to attract local birds and butterflies. For more information call 888-677-7312 toll free or 839-5707 locally.

June 29-30, Bogue Chitto State Park, Franklinton - Outdoor Cooking, 10 a.m. - noon. Guests will join the park ranger to learn about outdoor cooking and the use of a Dutch oven over an open fire. For more information call 888-677-7312 toll free or 839-5707 locally.

June 30-July 8, Fairview-Riverside State Park, Madisonville - Patriotic Reminiscences, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Otis House tour will feature a c.1919 child's American flag dress, a 48-star cigar felt flag, and other artifacts that reference patriotism during the early 1900s. For more information call 888-677-3247 or 985-792-4652.