THEODORE, Ala. — Bellingrath Gardens and Home will host Kids Gulf Discovery Day July 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kids will be able to have fun and get their hands dirty learning about the area’s ecology and the impact of the Gulf oil spill.

Local environmental organizations will have activities, demonstrations and displays that will engage kids.

They will “soak up” various methods of cleaning up oil and explore how they can help protect our precious waterways.

Participating organizations include Mobile Baykeeper, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Keep Mobile Beautiful, The Nature Conservancy, The Fowl River Baykeeper/Fowl River Area Community Association, Alabama Coastal Foundation, Dog River Clear Water Revival, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and more.

Kids Gulf Discovery Day will replace the previously scheduled Summer Kid’s Kruise. Bellingrath restructured the annual cruise event because the Southern Belle River Cruiser has been recruited to assist with cleanup activities on Dauphin Island and will not be offering sightseeing cruises through September.

Kids Gulf Discovery Day is open to all visitors with paid admission.

Garden admission for adults is $11, $6 for children ages 5–12 and free for children age 4 and under. Reservations requested.

Guests may also pre-order box lunches when they register or upon arrival.

There are additional charges to tour the Bellingrath Museum Home.

Call (251) 973-2217 (Ext. 111) to make a reservation or for more information.