Trail hikes, scorpion hunt among events planned at Bruneau Dunes Park

Bruneau Dunes State Park has announced its schedule of events for the weekend of June 12-13.

Friday

10 p.m. -- Scorpion Hunt: Join park staff to look at and learn about scorpions living at Bruneau Dune. Bring bug spray, and "patience to look for these creatures of the night." Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Saturday

9 a.m. ­-- Little Lake Hike: Participants can join the park staff on a hike to discover the history and wildlife of Bruneau Dunes. Those attending should remember to bring water, hiking shoes, sunscreen and insect repellent. Meet at the Steele-Reese Education Center. The hike will last approximately 45 minutes. Children must be accompanied by an adult. (Weather Permitting)

11 a.m. -- Netting Pond Critters: Children can explore (with a net and magnifying glass) the unseen residents below the surface of the park's lake. Meet at the Day-Use shelter in the Big Dunes Parking Area with sandals, bug repellant and sunscreen.

2 p.m. -- Dutch Oven Cooking: Join staff for an introduction and history to Dutch oven cooking while cooking a recipe in a Dutch oven. Meet at the picnic shelter by the observatory. (Weather Permitting)

Friday and Saturday

6-8 p.m. -- Solar Viewing: Join park staff at the observatory plaza for solar viewing, looking at the dunes through the "Big Eyes" naval binoculars, and take a tour of the observatory. Children must be accompanied by an adult. (Weather Permitting)

9:30 p.m. to midnight --Observatory: Attend a presentation in the Steele-Reese Education Center at 9:30 p.m., followed by viewing planets, nebula, the moon, or a galaxy through the "Obsession" 25-inch Newtonian Reflector telescope. Viewing begins at dusk and continues until Midnight. (Weather Permitting) Cost is $3 per person, with those under age 6 admitted free.

The cost to enter the park is $4 per vehicle.