{Re} Discovering the IR Lifesaving Station a real treat

With 2013 being less than a week old, many people have recently resolved to better themselves in some way — lose weight, learn something new, get outside more… At the Indian River Lifesaving Station, locals and visitors can get out and better themselves, while enjoying what the Delaware State Park has to offer.

In January alone, the station is offering more than 10 different programs to the public, promising something for everyone.

“Some of the programs we’ve been doing for over 10 years. Other programs we come up with based on recurring questions we get from visitors,” said Laura Baldwin, site manager for the station.

On Saturday, Jan. 19, the staff at the Indian River Life-Saving Station will hold a sea glass jewelry class at 10 a.m. The public is being invited to bring a favorite piece of sea glass and learn how to turn it into a jewelry pendant using simple wire-wrap techniques. The class costs $15 per person, which includes all materials and instruction. The class is suitable for those 12 or older, and those younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Preregistration is required.

“Sea glass jewelry is really popular, and we came up with idea of making our own. People always ask about sea glass, so we decided to create a sea glass jewelry program,” said Baldwin. “People can bring in their own sea glass to use, but we also have a stock of sea glass that park staff has found on the beach here that people can use.”

Baldwin said that the sea glass jewelry program is an excellent winter activity, as sea glass tends to be found more easily in the winter months.

“We tend to see more sea glass in the winter months. That’s for a couple of reasons: There are less people combing the beaches than in the summer; and also, with winter, storms and nor’easters can churn up the waters a little more, so more stuff can wash up in the winter.”

Baldwin said that the program has become so popular that they’re hoping to offer it on a weekly basis soon.

“It has been way more popular than any one of us could’ve imagined. Last time we offered it, we had to offer a second class because we had such a big waiting list.”

Another popular program the station offers is the evening Lantern Tours of the Lifesaving Station Museum.

“We introduce the group to the history of the United States Lifesaving Service and more specifically the history of the Indian River Lifesaving Station,” explained Baldwin.

The next Lantern Tour will be held on Sunday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m., with a fee of $10 per person, and preregistration is required. During the tour, participants can experience park staff dressed in turn-of-the-century Life-Saving Service patrol garb, while being given a complete tour of the Indian River Life-Saving Station by lantern light.

“We guide them through the museum by lantern light. Then, after the museum tour, everyone gets their own lantern and we venture out over the dune onto the beach, to make people understand the nightly patrols the surfmen did over 100 years ago,” said Baldwin. “Then we also finish up by telling a few tales of tragedies and mysteries — different tales of things that happened along the Delaware coast.”

The park also offers Little Keepers programs, which are geared to children between the ages of 3 and 5.

On Wednesday, Jan. 16, at 10 a.m. the Little Keepers can learn about how animals in Delaware Seashore State Park adapt to the cold weather. Each program features stories, crafts and other hands-on activities that explore various science and history topics. The cost of the program is $3 per child, and all children must be accompanied by an adult.

On Saturday, Jan. 19, at 1 p.m., there will be a second program about winter adaptations, geared toward the whole family, focusing on animals that live in Delaware Seashore State Park during the winter months and how they adapt to the cold weather. Some animals move to warmer climates for the season, others adapt to their new surroundings, and many simply start a new life cycle in the spring. The cost is $5 per person, and all children must be accompanied by a paying adult.

Pre-registration is strongly recommended for both programs.

“We do all of our guided hike programs mostly in the winter, because it’s less buggy and it’s more pleasant. There are less leaves on the trees, and the wildlife is a little bit easier to spot,” explained Baldwin.

For those who have visited the park, Baldwin said, it’s clear why it’s truly a gem of Sussex County.

“We hear that almost every single day. People will walk through the doors, browse the gift shop and say, ‘I’ve lived here my whole entire life, and I never knew this was here, or what this was.’ It’s amazing the amount of people who say that exact thing.

“I wish it wasn’t so hidden,” she added. “I wish more people knew about it. But we’re definitely growing a large fan group.”

The Indian River Lifesaving Station is a historic site and part of the Delaware State Parks system.

“Everything we do, all of our programs, are run out of the station. We alone have four trails within the Delaware Seashore State Park system. We have a lot to offer that people don’t realize.”

For those who have yet to venture to there, the New Year can be the perfect time to start and learn a little something about Delaware history.

“I encourage people to stop by, grab a park guide, grab a park map, grab a program guide and come back and visit us,” said Baldwin.

The Indian River Life-Saving Station is located in Delaware Seashore State Park, 1.5 miles north of the Indian River Inlet and 3.5 miles south of Dewey Beach. Space and materials for many of the classes are limited, so registration is often required and can be made by calling (302) 227-6991. For more information, visit www.destateparks.com.