Camp Augustine is located just north of the South Locust Interstate 80 interchange, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND — The Grand Island Public Library in partnership with the Grand Island Parks & Recreation Department is inviting the community to gaze at the stars through a variety of telescopes at Camp Augustine on Saturday, October 5.
Included in the telescope showcase will be the library’s own Telescope Science Kit, which will be available for checkout from the library with a valid adult library card. The event will be divided into two sessions, and registration is required separately for each session. Participants may register by phone at (308) 385-5333 or online.
Registration opens on Saturday, September 21 and is free and open to the public. No library card is required to participate in the event.
The first session will run from 7 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. and will be a Family Star Party. It will begin at the Camp Augustine Visitors Center with a welcome and education session before participants head outside to stargaze. There will be some ambient outdoor artificial light for safety reasons.
Following the Family Star Party, older teens and adults are invited to a special “After Dark” stargazing party that will begin at the Camp Augustine Visitors Center at 8:30 p.m. Shortly after, all outdoor lights at Camp Augustine will be shut off to improve sky visibility. Due to safety reasons, this event is limited to patrons ages 16 and up and will end at 10 p.m.
The Star Party will be canceled in the event of rain or excessively cloudy weather, and the library will notify registrants via email if this is the case. Another Star Party at Camp Augustine is planned for Saturday, November 9.
Camp Augustine is located at the end of Camp Augustine Road off South Locust Street. Head south on Locust and turn right at Camp Augustine Road (just before the I-80 interchange). Follow the gravel road to the end and turn left to enter the camp through the main gates.
Star Party participants are asked to bring a flashlight or headlamp. There will be no outdoor seating available, but participants may bring their own camp chairs.
