Cosmic Surfing

Description

Cosmic Surfing and Guided StargazingSeptember 12, 2026Middle Fork River Forest PreserveBecome a cosmic surfer during an interactive one-hour outdoor transformative session that includes movement, reflection, imagination, and a 16-foot Earth globe. This experience is facilitated by R. Buckminster Fuller Dome Home’s board member Steve Gariepy (SIU STEM Education Research Center). It will be an unforgettable event that embodies Fuller’s idea that we are all crew aboard Spaceship Earth. With your new perspective on our place in the cosmos, stay after the session for guided stargazing with Champaign Urbana Astronomical Society on the Dark Sky Trail from 8 until 10 PM. Registration is required for Cosmic Surfing, but not for Guided Stargazing. This program is for teens and adults. This registration webpage is for the Cosmic Surfing program. The Cosmic Surfing program is from 6:30 to 7:30 PM outside of the Interpretive Center at Middle Fork River Forest Preserve. Please arrive between 6 and 6:30. The address of the preserve's entrance to get to the Interpretive Center is 3485 County Rd 2700 E, Penfield, IL 61862.Registration is not required for Guided Stargazing. All ages are welcome. Guided Stargazing will happen on the Dark Sky Trail between 8 and 10 PM with the help of the Champaign Urbana Astronomical Society. The Dark Sky Trail is open to the public 24 hours a day for dark sky viewing. The Dark Sky Trail can be accessed at 2665 County Road 3500 North, Rankin, IL or from the Interpretive Center. The entrance of Middle Fork River Forest Preserve to get to the Interpretive Center is 3485 County Rd 2700 E, Penfield, IL 61862.For more info: (217) 896-2455 or Morgan at mduerksen-balk@ccfpd.org.For disability-related modifications for all programs, contact Chelsea at cprahl@ccfpd.org or 217 586-2612.