The Sun Bay Paper Page 12 January 7, 2022 - January 13, 202 Ring in the New Year with a visit to the iconic Mound House on Fort Myers Beach! One of Southwest Florida’s most-beloved historic attractions, the Mound House traces its roots to the ancient Calusa of over 2,000 years ago. The Town of Fort Myers Beach operates the Mound House as a museum complex and cultural and environmental learning center that offers numerous monthly educational programs, including for kids. The oldest standing structure on Estero Island, the Mound House is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Located at 451 Connecticut Street with overflow parking at 216 Connecticut. Admission is $10 for ages 13 & up, $8 for students with IDs, $5 ages 6 to 12, and 5 & under free, with Fort Myers Beach residents receiving a 50% museum admission discount. The Mound House enforces Social Distancing guidelines and recommends that all unvaccinated visitors wear masks. For information, reservations, and a monthly programs schedule, call 239-765-0865 or see www.moundhouse.org. Shell Mound Tour For all ages every January Tuesday through Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. If you dig archaeology, the Mound House’s signature program is for you! Tour the one-of-a-kind underground 2,000-year-old Calusa Indian Shell Mound led by the interpretive staff as you explore the site’s archaeology to unearth clues about this ancient society. $5-per-person that does not include Mound House admission; Mound House members free, with Social Distancing guidelines in place. Newton Beach Park Guided Beach Walk For all ages every Tuesday and Thursday weather permitting at 9 a.m. This twice-weekly free outdoor nature program is different every single time, as the “Guided Beach Walks” have a simple premise – walk roughly a halfmile down the beach and back, discussing whatever you find that morning. Meet at the thatched hut closest to the beach, with Social Distancing in place. Bring sunscreen, shoes to get wet, sunglasses, and hat. No reservations necessary; while free, parking is $5-perhour, with one hour generally enough. Newton Beach Park is mid-island at 4650 Estero Boulevard. Cool Calusa Tools For families with children ages 6 & older every January Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday at 10 a.m.; no program on Tuesday, Jan. 25. Learn to hunt, fish, and make masks and pottery, just like the Calusa! The Mound House interpretive staff leads this exciting hands-on tour of the Mound House grounds where they demonstrate Calusa tools and artifacts, then help you make Calusa-inspired artwork where your imagination runs wild! $2-per-person that does not include Mound House admission, with Social Distancing guidelines in place. Garden Tour For all ages every January Tuesday & Friday at 2 p.m. Stroll through the Mound House gardens to discover how its unique plants conserve water and protect wildlife, while learning how the Calusa and other Native Americans used them in their daily lives. $5per-person that does not include Mound House admission; Mound House members free, with Social Distancing guidelines in place. Archaeology: Can You Dig It? For all ages every January Wednesday & Friday at 10 a.m.; no program on Wednesday, January 26. Learn what it takes to be an archaeologist! Handle real artifacts and discover how archaeologists study past cultures in a program perfect for families. $5-per-person that does not include Mound House admission, with Mound House members free. Untold Stories Tour For adults every January Thursday at 2 p.m. The Mound House is the oldest standing structure on Fort Myers Beach, with an intriguing cast of characters who called it home, ranging from farmers to casino owners; scientists to developers! Learn about their individual stories along with a good dose of island history on this guided tour through the Mound House Museum, native gardens, and majestic grounds. Adults $15; Mound House members free. FREE: Calusa Carvers For all ages on Tuesdays, from 9 a.m. to Noon Learn more about woodcarving firsthand from a local group of woodcarvers who made some of the Calusa replica artifacts for Mound House exhibits and programs. The Calusa Carvers appear for free on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month through season from 9 a.m. to Noon. Latino History Tour For all ages on Wednesdays, Jan. 12, & 26, all at 2 p.m. Perfect for Florida history buffs! Learn about the Latino fishing village known as a “Rancho” that existed on the shell mound between the ancient Calusa and Anglo-Pioneer eras. Explore the site’s archaeology and history through unearthed clues about this multicultural society. $5-per-person that does not include Mound House admission, with Social Distancing guidelines in place. Sunset Kayak Tour Ages 12 & up weather permitting on Fridays, January 7, 14, & 21, all at 4 p.m. People travel from all over the nation and world to marvel at Fort Myers Beach sunsets, but not many get to do so by kayak! In addition to catching a breathtaking sunset, explore the tidal creeks and winding mangrove tunnels that extend into the hidden backwaters of Estero Bay while experiencing the estuary’s abundant wildlife in the quiet of twilight. The Mound House provides all paddling and safety equipment, with Social Distancing in place. $45-per-person; Mound House members $15, with advance registrations necessary at www.moundhouse.org. Family Fun Kayak Tour For ages 6 & up weather permitting on Jan 8 & 15, Jan 26; and Jan 29 at 2pm. This specially designed Environmental Educator-guided kayak tour is perfect fun for families with children ages 6 & up! See birds, dolphins, manatee, and other wildlife while paddling through the Estero Bay mangroves. $25-per-person ages 13 & up; $15-per-person ages 6 to 12 that includes Mound House admission. The Mound House provides all padding equipment, with Social Distancing in place. Advance registrations necessary at: moundhouse.org Gary Mooney Mound House Upcoming Outdoor Nature & Education Events
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