St. Mary's Environmental Club Enjoys Fall Afternoon at Cowles Bog

Over 30 members of St. Mary Catholic Community School’s Environmental Club enjoyed a fun afternoon hike at Cowles Bog, part of the Indiana Dunes National Park. The group completed the 4.7-mile trail, which featured rugged terrain and stretches of loose sand. Along the way, students observed a variety of trees and animals in the forest on a beautiful fall day.

A group at the front of the pack was thrilled to spot several snakes, including a beautiful Eastern hog-nosed snake. Eventually, the students reached a large sand hill and had a blast running down to the water’s edge.  A highlight for some students was when Principal Tom Ruiz, a former science teacher, picked up a little brown snake for observations.  The snake released a very pungent musky smelling secretion as a defense mechanism.

“It was fun getting my feet wet,” said Lilianne Hise. Afterward, the group hiked back up the steep hills and headed home. “It was a fun afternoon,” Hise added.

The Environmental Club is open to students in grades 3–8.

St. Mary Catholic Community School in Crown Point serves students from Junior Pre-K (for three-year-olds) through eighth grade. The school’s famous Spaghetti Supper will take place on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. For more information, call 663-0676.