October Newsletter

The leaves are starting to turn and so is the weather. Fall around the lakeshore is breathtaking! Get out and enjoy some color hikes like the Empire Bluffs trail, the Treat Farm, Pyramid point or the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. It is a great time of year to surround yourself with the beauty of nature. Check out this article on Best Fall Hikes from the Leelanau Ticker.

Easy-to-implement lessons, designed by teachers, to enhance understanding of 11 themed topics introduced in The Life of the Sleeping Bear.
This 24 page booklet, Exploring Sleeping Bear, includes grade level suggestions and educational standards to help guide exploration through in-depth learning in science, history, math, and language arts/reading.

If you are worried about learning loss and looking for ways to jump start a successful year of learning with educational activities for the whole family, you can preorder this booklet for $4.95 on the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes website or directly at lifeofthesleepingbear.com
Order it with The Life of the Sleeping Bear ($29.95) and receive both the book and Educational Guide for $33.90, plus shipping and handling.

For more information on The Life of the Sleeping Bear or Exploring Sleeping Bear: An Educational Guide for Use with The Life of the Sleeping Bear, email: book@friendsofsleepingbear.org

This is the time of year where the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore begins to see a slow dip in numbers at its campgrounds. But not this year! Labor Day has passed and our campgrounds are still as busy as ever. If you are still planning a camping trip this season we suggest checking availability before you go. Availability can be checked and reservations may be made by visiting: https://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm

New Bike Repair Station (with water bottle filling unit) has been installed by the park on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. It is located next to the vault toilet in DH Day campground.

Bohemian (CR-669) Road Re-Opens!

The Leelanau County Road Commission recently finished construction on Bohemian Rd. (CR-669) which has been closed since June 22. The road commission removed an old culvert and built a bridge in its place to allow improved water flow in Shalda Creek.

To celebrate the Park’s 50th Anniversary, The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has granted the Friends the use of the park’s 50th Anniversary logo for fundraising efforts.

Here is where we get excited! We have some great merchandise and goods lined up with the NEW Sleeping Bear Anniversary Logo!

Make sure to follow us on social media or sign-up for our newsletter for the latest updates and release of the new Bear Logo merchandise soon to be announced!

We are looking for a person with good communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills to join our high-functioning all-volunteer organization. The Fund Development Director is responsible for integrating all fundraising programs into an Annual Fund Development Plan to assure financial support for operations and programs approved by the Friend’s board and national park administration. This is accomplished by helping to direct a group of dedicated volunteers seeking donations via fundraising events, granting sources, individuals, and businesses.

A position description is available at https://friendsofsleepingbear.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Fund-Development-Director-20171023.pdf

Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes will provide training and assistance as needed. Time commitment will vary with the individual and seasons but may amount to approximately 12 hours a week. Interested in helping out?
For more information please email Bill Stot at: wstott3193@gmail.com

You can view a recording of the 2020 Annual Membership Meeting and/or sign up for our monthly meeting notifications. Signing up will give you the Zoom access information so you can participate remotely. Email us at secretary@friendsofsleepingbear.org