Not a campsite was left last weekend at Abilene State Park. Families and other campers celebrated the park’s 90th birthday in the only appropriate way — by learning about the natural area in which the park lives.

The Big Country chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists was on hand with examples ranging from the gorgeous to the somewhat-grisly on June 1. Butterflies, insects and other tiny critters could be examined under microscopes while nearby on a table rested the skulls belonging to many of the larger animals inhabiting the region.

Nearby, Marsha Ballard and Mary Haney wowed kids and their parents by creating clouds in a bottle using a bicycle pump and a bit of rubbing alcohol. A child would pump the air into the bottle, pressurizing it, and everyone would jump when Ballard pulled the cork out and the condensation from the subsequent “Pop!” left the bottle’s interior indeed cloudy.

Farther away from the park’s swimming pool, which sadly is closed again for the summer and in need of repair, others learned archery under the tutelage of park rangers, or sampled the offerings from dutch oven cooking enthusiasts.

The park will have a host of evening activities over the summer, including star parties and naturalist hikes. Visit txmn.org/bc/ for more information.

More: A cut above: Equine events kick off 2024 state high school rodeo finals

More: Show us your bloomers! ARN looking for 2024 wildflower photos

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Abilene State Park celebrates 90 years of outdoor fun, education