Marian University and Indiana Humanities are hosting a Next Indiana Campfires excursion on Friday, October 21 at 6 p.m. at the Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab on Marian’s beautiful campus in Indianapolis. The outing is part of “Next Indiana Campfires,” Indiana Humanities’ new series that pairs literature and nature to help Hoosiers explore Indiana’s wild places and discuss conservation and stewardship.
Attendees can join Indiana Humanities and Marian University for a scenic walk through the 55-acre natural area nestled on the Marian University campus, first restored more than 100 years ago by prominent landscape architect Jens Jensen, who used native plants in his installations. The EcoLab is a very important habitat for our native Indiana wildlife, including many species that rely on wetlands, such as beaver, muskrat, mink, heron, wood ducks, and many more. The hike will be followed by a meal and campfire. The hike will be easy, but attendees are encouraged to come dressed for the outdoors! Proper footwear (tennis shoes or hiking boots) and bug spray are recommended. Participants should bring their own filled, reusable water bottle to take on the outing. During the outing, Micah Towery, will serve as facilitator and lead attendees, stopping periodically to read aloud the words of important Hoosier authors. Participants will then gather for food and drink around a campfire to discuss connections between nature, literature and place.
Event tickets are $10. The ticket price includes the excursion and a meal and campfire afterwards. A limited number of fee waivers will be available for each excursion and will be awarded based on financial need. To register for the event, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/next-indiana-campfires-marian-university-nina-mason-pulliam-ecolab-tickets-24351793871.
Next Indiana Campfires will be held in some of Indiana’s most diverse landscapes – places like the Limberlost swamps, an old growth forest in Evansville and the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Do-it-yourself “Trek and Talk Toolkits” are available to Hoosiers who want to create their own Next Indiana Campfire. Toolkits include suggested itineraries, a literary text and discussion prompts, a Next Indiana Campfires patch, snacks, and more.
Next Indiana Campfires is generously supported by the Efroymson Family Fund, the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Pulitzer Prizes Centennial Campfires and Ball Brothers Foundation. Upland Brewing Company will be providing in-kind support as the alcoholic beverage sponsor. Additional in-kind support provided by UGo Bars, LLC as handcrafted trail snack sponsor. Indiana Humanities is supported in part by Lilly Endowment, Inc. and the National Endowment of the Humanities.
Indiana Humanities connects people, opens minds and enriches lives by creating and facilitating programs that encourage people to think, read and talk. Learn more at www.indianahumanities.org.