The
                                                 FRIENDS ACTIVITIES

We raise funds in a variety of ways to augment and upgrade existing Park facilities, and to make Charleston Lake Park a great place to explore, camp and enjoy nature.  We raise funds through the Visitor centre store to provide the best exhibits for visitors to the Park.

By searching out and obtaining funding from charitable foundations and government grants, we support research into species at risk, and ongoing studies of the natural and cultural history inventory of the Park.

Through the selling of our annual canoe raffle tickets at various venues, we are able to fund Park activities.  For example, we supply funds for the interpretive programs and special events (Terence Dickinson, Settler's Weekend).  We publish the trail brochures and purchase wood chips for the trails.

Many Friends participate in the trail monitoring program, and assist Park staff in keeping the trails in first class shape by ditching, brushing and reporting problems.

We send an annual donation to Ontario Parks to help fund its Student Bursary program, which awards 40 bursaries each year to OP summer student employees who are returning to school in the fall. In 2011 Charleston Lake’s Kaitlin Hamilton won one of the bursaries.

Friends also assist in research programs where they help staff to monitor turtles, control invasive species, and report on significant flora and fauna sightings.

All of these are fund and rewarding; and they contribute to the Park users' enjoyment of Park facilities.

Why not get involved!