Activities and Events

Special Events

“Now or Never Theater” to Perform at Great Sand Dunes July 22

 The Now Or Never Theatre will present "SHADOWS and JOURNEYS," a multi-media outdoor theatre performance designed and directed by Betsy Tobin.  The presentation will be in the outdoor amphitheater at Great Sand Dunes National Park on Tuesday, July 22, at 8:30 PM.  This performance opens their 2008 summer tour. 

"SHADOWS and JOURNEYS " is an innovative show that integrates acting, drumming, dance, puppetry, masks, shadow theatre, and video sequences to create stunning dramatic and visual effects inspired by the cultures and heritage of the Southwest.   The actors conjure scenes based on traditions and legends, as well as historical events such as buffalo stampedes, mining tales, the gold rush, outlaws in the wild west, and other tales of how the land changed hands.   In this performance, Betsy Tobin is joined by an ensemble of actors, musicians, dancers, and puppeteers including Margarita Blush, Gwylym Cano, Michael Gunst, Odile Mauviard, Aaron Sanford (drummer), and Stacey Ginsburg.

 Please bring pillows and/or blankets for outdoor seating.  For more information contact the Visitor Center at 719-378-6399. 

 After the Great Sand Dunes performance, "SHADOWS and JOURNEYS” will be performed at Grand Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Timpanogos Cave National Monument, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Roxborough State Park, and at Eldorado Canyon State Park.  Contact the Now Or Never Theatre at 303-545-9272 for dates. 

 "SHADOWS and JOURNEYS" is funded in part by the Boulder Arts Commission, an agency of the Boulder City Council, the Boulder County Arts Alliance/Neodata Endowment, the Puffin Foundation, the Jim Henson Foundation, and the Colorado Council on the Arts.

The July 22 performance is supported by Friends of the Dunes.    

Interpretive Programs

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

 July16 – July 23, 2008

Wednesday, July 16:

10:30 a.m. Nature Walk “Water, Wind and Wildlife.”  Learn about the geological processes and their
relationship to people and animals.  Dunes Parking Lot.  45 minutes.

1:30 p.m. Kids’ Program, ages 6-12.  Hands-on activities.  Parents welcome. Dunes Parking Lot. 45 minutes.

7:00 p.m. Sunset Program “Fossils:  Stories in the Sand.”  Touch and hold real fossils, from clamshells 
to mammoth bones.  Amphitheater.  30 minutes.

9:00 p.m. Evening Program “Sand and Stardust:  The Great Sand Dunes Genesis.”  Amphitheater.  30 minutes.

Thursday, July 17:

10:30 a.m. Nature Walk “Natural Connections.”  Everybody needs somebody and that’s never truer than in the natural world, where working together determines existence. Dunes Parking Lot.  45 minutes.

1:30 p.m. Kids’ Program, ages 6-12.  Hands-on activities.  Parents welcome. Dunes Parking Lot. 45 minutes.

7:00 p.m. Sunset Program “Traces of the Past.”  Discover some early history and pioneer lore of the dunes.  Amphitheater.  45 minutes.

9:00 p.m.  Evening Program “The Mountains Beyond.” Explore the forests, lakes, and tundra of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve through pictures, songs and a live salamander.  Amphitheater. 45 minutes.

Friday, July 18:

10:30 a.m. Nature Walk “Raising a Family in the Dunes.” There are unusual challenges here for human and animal parents to raise their young.  Artifacts and a live amphibian bring these stories to life.  Dunes Parking Lot. 30 min.

1:30 p.m. Kids’ Program, ages 6-12.  Hands-on activities.  Parents welcome. Dunes Parking Lot. 45 minutes.

7:00 p.m. Sunset Program “Antlers, Horns and the Critters Who Wear Them.”   Hands on animal identification.   Amphitheater.  30 minutes.

8:30 p.m.  Night Hike “The Dunes at Night.” Enjoy a look at the “dark side” of the dunes!  Easy family-friendly hike starting at the Dunes parking lot.  Flashlights and closed shoes are advised (no sandals).  1 hour.

Saturday, July 19:  

10:30 a.m. Nature Walk “The Magic Balance.”  Stroll along Medano Creek and explore the unique balance of water, wind, and sand that creates and maintains the dunes.  Dunes Parking Lot. 45 minutes.

1:30 p.m. Kids’ Program, ages 6-12.  Hands-on activities.  Parents welcome. Dunes Parking Lot. 45 minutes.

7:00 p.m. Sunset Program “Arrowheads, Atlatls, and Ancient Plant Uses.”  Get acquainted with some survival skills and tools of early cultures.  Amphitheater.  45 minutes. 

9:00 p.m. Evening Program “Growing Wild.” Plants thrive in this desert environment.  Amphitheater.  45 minutes. 

9:00 p.m.  Evening Program “The Mountains Beyond.” Explore the forests, lakes, and tundra of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve through pictures, songs and a live salamander.  Amphitheater. 45 minutes.

Sunday, July 20:

10:30 a.m. Nature Walk “Water, Wind and Wildlife.”  Learn about the geological processes and their
relationship to people and animals.  Dunes Parking Lot.  45 minutes.

1:30 p.m. Kids’ Program, ages 6-12.  Hands-on activities.  Parents welcome. Dunes Parking Lot. 45 minutes.

9:00 p.m. Evening Program “Here Kitty, Kitty.”  Mountain lions, bobcats and lynx in the Rockies.

Amphitheater.  45 minutes.

Monday, July 21:

10:30 a.m. Nature Walk “The Magic Balance.”  Stroll along Medano Creek and explore the unique balance of water, wind, and sand that creates and maintains the dunes.  Dunes Parking Lot. 45 minutes.

1:30 p.m. Kids’ Program, ages 6-12.  Hands-on activities.  Parents welcome. Dunes Parking Lot. 45 minutes.

7:00 p.m. Sunset Program “Cloud Clues.”  A look at cloud types and how to forecast the weather.  Family friendly.  Amphitheater.  30 minutes.

9:00 p.m. Evening Program “Sifting the Sands of Time.” Stories and images of the past.  Amphitheater. 30 min.

Tuesday, July 22:

10:30 a.m. Nature Walk “The Raven’s Forest.”   Explore the interaction of mountain geology, water, fire, trees, plants and birds.  Meet on back porch of Visitor Center.  Bring ID books, binoculars, sketchpad and notebook if you have them.  60 minutes.

1:30 p.m. Kids’ Program, ages 6-12.  Hands-on activities.  Parents welcome. Dunes Parking Lot. 45 minutes.

7:00 p.m. Sunset Program “The Dunes That Used To Be.”  Wonderful animals of the past. Dunes Parking Lot.

 45 minutes.   

8:30 p.m. Evening Program Special Performance “SHADOWS and JOURNEYS.”  Join the “Now or Never Theater” troupe for a dramatic multi-media performance portraying stories inspired by the history and cultures of Colorado and the Southwest.  Amphitheater. 60 minutes.

Wednesday, July 23:

10:30 a.m. Nature Walk “Natural Connections.”  Everybody needs somebody and that’s never truer than in the natural world, where working together determines existence. Dunes Parking Lot.  30 minutes.

1:30 p.m. Kids’ Program, ages 6-12.  Hands-on activities.  Parents welcome. Dunes Parking Lot. 45 minutes.

7:00 p.m. Sunset Program “Fossils:  Stories in the Sand.”  Touch and hold real fossils, from clamshells  to mammoth bones.  Amphitheater.  30 minutes.

9:00 p.m. Evening Program “Visiting Bear Country.” There is an enduring connection between bears and
humans.  Amphitheater.  45 minutes.

Sunscreen, water, and warm layered clothing are recommended for nature walks.  
All programs are free and open to the public.  Please join us!