Friends' Schedule 2013
Here is a list of Friends' sponsored activities that may be of interest to you. Everyone (members and non-members) is invited to participate. Do not forget that you will need to purchase a daily vehicle to take part in most of these activities. Dates are subject to change, please check back here for updates.
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December| 2014
January 12: Winter Camping - Planning
To camp in winter, you need to be well prepared or you risk freezing some valuable parts of your anatomy. This presentation by the Friends of Frontenac Park will cover route selection, equipment, menu planning, physical fitness and conditioning, safety, and the different forms of winter travel all you need to give winter camping a try. Make sure you book one of the two weekends (see below) to camp with the instructors. Note that part of this presentation will be held out of doors, so please come dressed for the weather and the trails. Time: 10h00 to 15h30 at the Park Office; maximum 35 persons. To register contact the Park Office at 613 376-3489. The seminar is free but Park entrance fees apply.
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January 14: Friends Board Meeting
Location: LCVI, room 120 at 19h00.
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January 28-29: Winter Camping Weekend #1 or February 04-05 16-17: Winter Camping Weekend #2
Choose one of these two weekends to acquire and practice winter camping skills guided by the Friends of Frontenac Park. Weather permitting, learn how to build a quinze (snowhouse), set up a tent in winter, prepare satisfying meals and more - in other words, learn how to stay warm. Food will be provided. Prerequisite: "Winter Camping Planning - Presentation" given on January 12. Cost: $65.00 per person plus interior camping fee; Time: 10h00 Saturday to 15h30 Sunday; maximum 12 persons per weekend. To register contact the Park Office at 613 376-3489.
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CANCELED (no snow): February 03: Snowshoe Workhop presented by Ed Grenda
This is a snowshoe day for people of all ages and all levels. Mr. Edward Grenda will conduct a workshop that will discuss various topics. A snowshoeing trip will then be held in the Park. Volunteers will serve hot chocolate in front of the fireplace in the Park Office. Please dress in layers for the weather, bring your snowshoe equipment, including a small backpack with water, a hot drink, and lunch. There will be a limited number of snowshoes available for rent. Please meet at the Park Office. Time: 10h30 to 15h30. Call 613 376-3489 if you need more information.
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February 11: Friends Board Meeting
Location: LCVI, room 120 at 19h00.
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February 18: Deadline for Submissions for the Spring/Summer Newsletter
We welcome your articles, letters, stories and photographs. Material should be mailed to The Friends of Frontenac Park c/o Newsletter Editor, PO Box 2237, Kingston, ON K7L 5J9 or e-mailed to frontenacpark@gmail.com.
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February 21: Winter Lecture: Exploring The Frontenac Arch
Presented by: Terry Sprague
Terry is a well-known naturalist and writer who grew up on a farm in Prince Edward County. He is a member of numerous natural history organizations and a past chairman of The Friends of Sandbanks Provincial Park.
He is the author of Birds of Prince Edward County (1984) and just published a new book Up Before Five - The Family Farm(2011). Terry received several awards for his conservation efforts.
He maintains his own website NatureStuff - Tours and Things at www.naturestuff.net
Time and Location: 7:00 p.m., in the Wilson Room of the Kingston Public Library, Central Branch, 130 Johnson Street, Kingston.
Admission is free but donations are always appreciated.
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March 11: Friends Board Meeting
Location: LCVI, room 120 at 19h00.
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March 23: Volunteer/Guide/Host Training
Would you like to volunteer at the Park? Come to this training session offered by the Park staff and the Friends at the Park Office. Bring a lunch. Time: 09h00 to 15h00. Contact the Park (613 376-3489) for details.
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March 31: Your Friends' Membership Ends
Return a favour to nature. Please renew your membership for another year.
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April 08: Friends Board Meeting
Location: LCVI, room 120 at 19h00.
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April 13: Volunteer/Guide Spring Trail Sweep
The Volunteers/Guides will do general maintenance on the Park's trails to get them in top shape for our visitors. Meet at the Park Office at 08h30. Bring a lunch and work glove. A Chili supper will be served at the end of the day. Contact the Park (613 376-3489) for details.
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April 20: Historical Walk along the Salmon Lake Road
Meet at the Park Office theatre at 10h30 for an introduction to the human history of Frontenac Park followed by a walk on the Salmon Lake road. The walk will take the participants past the Kemp, David, Babcock and Sigsworth farms and the tour will finish at the site of the Trails End Lodge. There are no standing buildings. The walk is 7 km return (3.5 km each way). Participants should be back at the Park Office by 16h00. Bring a lunch or a snack. Please register with the Park Office. Plan to go rain or shine.
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April 27: Spring Work Day
Come out and join with the Friends on this day dedicated to work to upgrade the Parks infrastructure. The work will concentrate on the West Arkon area to repair/replace some of the bridges and boardwalks. The material was brought in at the locations during the winter. Volunteers, we need your help to complete as many of these projects during this work day. Time: 08h45 - 16h00. Further information, please contact the Park Office at 613 376-3489 for details.
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May 11: Introduction to back country camping
For those who wish to venture to the backcountry to enjoy the outdoors, but who are unsure what to pack or buy, this is a workshop for you. Topics include: how to get started, clothing, footwear, equipment, food, water treatment and safety in the outdoors. This day-long introduction is meant to introduce the new backwoods camper to this form of recreation. No cost to attend the course. Time: 09h00 - 16h00 at the Park Office
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May 13: Friends Board Meeting
Location: LCVI, room 120 at 19h00.
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June 01: Wilderness Navigation Using Map and Compass - Level I
Our wilderness navigation workshops provide participants with the theoretical and practical skills of reading and interpreting topographic maps in order to safely plot a course through the wilderness. Book your spot early! Cost $20.00 per person (plus GST and Park fee). Time: 09h00 to 16h00. Meet at the Park Office.
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June 10: Friends Board Meeting
Location: LCVI, room 120 at 19h00.
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June 15: Wilderness Navigation Using Map and Compass - Level II
This one day workshop is designed to give participants time to build on the knowledge acquired during the Level 1 course. You will use your new skills to navigate off trail the entire day, as a group and under the supervision of the instructor. Everyone will have a chance to get a lot of practice. Be prepared to spend most of the day outdoors, rain or shine, after a short review indoors. You will need a lunch, plenty of water and come dressed for the weather and bush travel, with a pair of long pants and a pair of sturdy hiking shoes/boots. Participation in Level 1 is recommended but not necessary, if you know how to use a map and compass, and just want more practice navigating off trail. Cost $20.00 per person (plus GST and Park fee). Time: 09h00 to 16h00. Meet at the Park Office.
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June 21-23: President's Paddle
It started as the President's Paddle but today it is more like the President's canoe-camping trip. Campsite 4 will be the destination this year. Anticipated return is 16h00 or plan to stay the night and return on Sunday. Let the President of the Friends know early if you want to come along for the paddle or to camp.
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June 23: Canoe Clinic
Join Carolyn Bonta to learn or refresh canoeing skills. Carolyn will cover steering strokes, safety manoeuvres, equipment selection and backcountry trip planning. The clinic will be held out doors as much as possible. Equipment rentals are available nearby or enquire at the Park Office. Cost $20.00 per person (plus Park fee). Time: 10h00 to 15h30. Meet at the Park Office.
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August 12: Deadline for Autumn Newsletter
We welcome your articles, letters, stories and photographs. Material should be mailed to The Friends of Frontenac Park c/o Newsletter Editor, PO Box 2237, Kingston, ON K7L 5J9 or e-mailed to frontenacpark@gmail.com.
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August 31 to September 02: Bring a Friend to the Park Weekend
This is an informal event for members of the Friends of Frontenac to introduce some new people to the Park. Invite some of your friends, young or old, who have never been to the Park and take them on a hike or canoe ride to show them Kingston's best kept secret. Let them enjoy nature and tell them about the Frontenac Challenge and the many other events put on by our organization. Contact the Park (613 376-3489) for details.
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September 01 to October 31: The Frontenac Challenge
The Frontenac Challenge involves hiking most of the park's trail network between September 1st and October 31st. The Junior Challenge is open to those 12 and under and requires the hiker to complete any 6 loops of his or her choice. To meet the Challenge, all you have to do is pick up a registration form at the Park Office and then set out to hike through the autumn splendour of Frontenac Provincial Park. Participants who complete the Challenge will receive a certificate at an Awards BBQ and will be acknowledged on an honorary plaque in the Park Office. So come out and challenge Frontenac at its autumn best. Campers, do not forget to take the All Season Camping Challenge.
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September 09: Friends Board Meeting
Location: LCVI, room 120 at 19h00.
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September 28: Fall Trail Sweep
The Volunteers/Guides will do general maintenance on the Park's trails to get them in top shape for our Fall and Winter visitors. Meet at the Park Office at 08h45. Bring a lunch and work glove. A Chili supper will be served at the end of the day. Contact the Park (613 376-3489) for details.
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October 15: Board Meeting
Location: LCVI, room 120 at 19h00.
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November 09: Challenge Award and BBQ.
Registered participants will receive a certificate of achievement, share stories and chow down on hot dogs, including vegetarian fare, cooked by the Friends. Donations will be gratefully received. Meet at the Park Office at 10h30 till 12h30.
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November 09: Annual General Meeting (AGM)
All members are invited to attend the Friends' AGM to start at 12h30 at the Park Office. The minutes of the last AGM will be posted at 12h30. Why not come early and join us for the Challenge BBQ? This will give you an opportunity to meet the Challenge participants. Meeting should end around 13h30.
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December 02: Board Meeting - Project and Program
Location TBA at 19h00.
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December 09: Deadline for Winter Newsletter
We welcome your articles, letters, stories and photographs. Material should be mailed to The Friends of Frontenac Park c/o Newsletter Editor, PO Box 2237, Kingston, ON K7L 5J9 or e-mailed to frontenacpark@gmail.com.
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PREVIEW FOR WINTER 2014
January 18, 2014: Winter Camping - Planning
To camp in winter, you need to be well prepared or you risk freezing some valuable parts of your anatomy. This presentation by the Friends of Frontenac Park will cover route selection, equipment, menu planning, physical fitness and conditioning, safety, and the different forms of winter travel all you need to give winter camping a try. Make sure you book one of the two weekends (see below) to camp with the instructors. Note that part of this presentation will be held out of doors, so please come dressed for the weather and the trails. Time: 10h00 to 15h30 at the Park Office; maximum 35 persons. To register contact the Park Office at 613 376-3489. The seminar is free but Park entrance fees apply.
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February 01-02, 2014: Winter Camping Weekend #1 or February 08-09, 2014: Winter Camping Weekend #2
Choose one of these two weekends to acquire and practice winter camping skills guided by the Friends of Frontenac Park. Weather permitting, learn how to build a quinze (snowhouse), set up a tent in winter, prepare satisfying meals and more - in other words, learn how to stay warm. Food will be provided. Prerequisite: "Winter Camping - Presentation" given on January 14. Cost: $65.00 per person plus interior camping fee; Time: 10h00 Saturday to 15h30 Sunday; maximum 12 persons per weekend. To register contact the Park Office at 613 376-3489.
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