Still some openings for 'Dig Camp' at Michigan Historical Center July 14-18; registration deadline extended to June 9

A unique, weeklong summer-camp experience for 10- to 12-year-olds still has some openings for participants. "Dig Camp" - offered July 14-18 at the Michigan Historical Center in Lansing - will focus on archaeology and be tied to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) core concepts in fun and engaging ways. The deadline to register for this program is June 9.
Each day runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Before-care and after-care also will be offered each day from 8 to 9 a.m. and from 4 to 5 p.m., at no additional charge. The program is limited to 20 participants.
The cost for the weeklong Dig Camp is $275 per child. For families with an annual membership to the Michigan Historical Museum, that price is discounted to $250 per child.
"If your child likes science and history, then Dig Camp is for him or her," said Mark Harvey, archivist for the Archives of Michigan. "Dig Camp will teach the skills used in science, technology, engineering and math to study the past, making archaeology a fun way to learn these core concepts. Dig Camp is an innovative learning experience that involves hands-on activities for the students."
Some of the skills that will be explored during Dig Camp include:

• Critical reasoning through forming and testing hypotheses.
• Natural sciences through understanding archaeological site formation.
• Spatial relationships through scaled mapping and drawing.
• Technology through computer-aided data collection.
• Design through artifact analysis.
• Experimentation through trial and error of re-creating past technologies.
• Ethics and personal responsibility through teamwork and knowledge sharing.

"Archaeologists play an important role in helping us discover and learn about social relationships, the environment, biology and technology and how it has changed," said Stacy Tchorzynski, archaeologist with the State Historic Preservation Office and Department of Natural Resources. "Dig Camp taps into a child's natural curiosity and sparks a deeper interest in history and STEM."
For more information on Dig Camp, including online registration, go to www.michigan.gov/museum.

The Michigan Historical Center is part of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Its museum and archival programs help people discover, enjoy and find inspiration in their heritage. It includes the Michigan Historical Museum, 10 regional museums, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve, and the Archives of Michigan. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/michiganhistory.

The museum and visitor parking are on the north side of Kalamazoo Street, two blocks east of M. L. King Jr. Boulevard. in downtown Lansing. Weekend parking is free.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

Experience outstanding bass fishing when catch-and-keep season opens May 24

Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers to prepare for the statewide catch-and-keep bass-fishing season which opens this Saturday.
This season opener provides the perfect opportunity for anglers to partake in world-class bass fishing. In April, Bassmaster magazine produced its list of the 100 best bass lakes of 2014 – of which six locations were in Michigan.
The six locations on Bassmaster’s list included Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan (No. 9), Lake St. Clair (No. 16), Burt Lake (No. 39), Thunder Bay, Lake Huron (No. 43), Mullet Lake (No. 46) and Lake Charlevoix (No. 82). This annual, national list is developed courtesy of information from every state’s natural resources agency, B.A.S.S. Nation presidents and conservation directors, and B.A.S.S. members.
Please note the catch-and-keep bass season for Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River and the Detroit River does not open until Saturday, June 21.
“We’re always thrilled to see Michigan water bodies recognized as top bass-fishing destinations in the country,” said DNR Fisheries Division Chief Jim Dexter. “For these locations to be recognized by bass experts from across the country really proves the value of the state’s fisheries.”
For more information on Michigan's and other states' rankings, see Bassmaster’s complete 2014 list of the 100 best bass lakes at www.bassmaster.com/top100.
Just a reminder that Michigan's new license season began April 1, so anglers need to be sure they have purchased a new fishing license for this fishing season. The 2014 fishing licenses are valid through March 31, 2015. Please note, anglers are not required to purchase a base license when purchasing a fishing license.
For more information on fishing for bass in Michigan, including rules and regulations, check out the 2014 Michigan Fishing Guide available at www.michigan.gov/fishingguide. 

Tahquamenon Falls trail closed

Due to extremely high water levels on the Tahquamenon River, the popular River Trail at Tahquamenon Falls State Park has been temporarily closed until further notice.

The 5-mile-long River Trail connects the park’s Upper and Lower Falls, using a combination of dirt trail, boardwalks and bridges.

“Sections of the trail are underwater and some bridges have been washed out by the rapidly moving high water,” said park supervisor Craig Krepps. “Reopening of the trail will depend upon when the water recedes, allowing park staff to assess any safety issues and repair damage to the trail.”

Other trails within the park, including the Giant Pines, Wilderness, and Clark Lake Trails, are also currently underwater in some areas.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the Tahquamenon River is currently running three times higher than the average for May, with the Upper Falls measuring a flow of approximately 40,000 gallons per second.

In addition to the trail closure, the owners of the independently operated Tahqua Trekker hiker shuttle service announced they will cease operation of the shuttle until the trail is reopened.

For status updates on the River Trail and other areas of the park affected by the high water levels, contact park headquarters at 906-492-3415, visit www.michigan.gov/tahquamenonfalls, or follow the park’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tqfalls.