Families float for fun with kayak program

Brook Hensley stepped out of her kayak on the shore of Gilligan Lake to help her 7-year-old daughter Leighton out of her kayak as dragonflies darted by in the air on Tuesday night, July 16, 2024.

“How was your paddle?” asked Jennifer LaForest, naturalist at the Outdoor Discovery Center.

“It was so fun!” Brook said.

The Hensleys joined a total of 16 kayaks on the 20-acre lake along 66^th Street between 142^nd and 144^th avenues in Laketown Township as part of the free Family Kayaking program run by the Outdoor Discovery Center and sponsored by the Laketown Township Parks and Recreation Commission.

The Outdoor Discovery Center and township team up for programs throughout the year.

Upcoming programs include:

• Blueberry Fields Forever, July 22, Huyser Farm, 4188 64th St. 11 a.m.-noon.
• Incredible Insects, Aug. 23, Shore Acres, 6602 138th Ave. 10-11 a.m.
• Explore with Your Senses, Sept. 10, Shore Acres, 6602 138th Ave. 4-5 p.m.
• Night Hike, Oct. 4, Huyser Farm, 4188 64th St. 7:30-8:30 p.m.

For more on Outdoor Discovery Programs, click here.

For more on Laketown Township parks, click here.

The Hensleys of Laketown Township got hooked on the Outdoor Discovery Center kayaking program after participating in a recent Kids’ Kayaking Series at Ely Lake in the Allegan State Game Area.

“We had so much fun,” Brook said. “The kids asked to do it again.”