BEATRICE – It’s not all about just football on Saturdays….


A National Park near Beatrice is kicking off its late summer-early fall series of Campfire programs. "Our Campfire Series is going to start this Saturday....and we're kicking off with games and toys of the Homestead Era. And then next Saturday will be our Kids in Parks program that's at ten o'clock. That will be birds of prey....especially owls."


Homestead National Historical Park Ranger Amy Genke says Campfire programs will also be held the final two Saturdays of September….with programs each Saturday starting at seven p.m. Near the end of September, the park will also be celebrating National Public Lands Day, Saturday, September 28th…an all-day volunteer project starting at sunrise.


"We are going to be doing a bio-blitz, or some walks through the prairie to help count the various species that we have. For those who come out to volunteer this year with us on National Public Lands Day, they will receive a one-day pass to federal public lands of their choice, so they could visit a national park for a day, for free."


Programs coming up will be held at the Heritage Center rather than the Education Center. That’s because the Homestead National Historical Park is continuing a project to upgrade parking area at the Education Center.


"Stage one is now complete and we are now working on stage two. We don't have a final completion date, but we do know they are doing their best to get things complete and move forward. There's more parking available at the Education Center right now....things are starting to open up."  One component of the parking lot project is widening lanes and making radius improvements to better accommodate buses, large campers and delivery vehicles.


Another special event at the Homestead National Historical Park is September 17th…..a Constitution Day Naturalization Ceremony….where applicants for U.S. citizenship complete their journey to become new citizens of the United States.