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Algonquin Park Visitor Services Staff Reunion
September 6 to 8, 2019 ~ Algonquin Park
The Algonquin Park Visitor Services Program celebrates its 75th anniversary during 2019. In recognition of this milestone The Friends of Algonquin Park in cooperation with Ontario Parks is celebrating by hosting a Visitor Services Reunion for past and current staff (and immediate family members) from September 6 to 8, 2019 in Algonquin Park.
Who Should Attend?
This reunion is only for individuals who meet the criteria below.
- Paid staff who worked in the Visitor Services Program/Natural Heritage Education Program from 1944 to the present;
- Paid staff who have worked at the Algonquin Park Museum (1953 - 1992), the Algonquin Park Visitor Centre (1993 - present), the Pioneer Logging Exhibit (1959-1991) and Algonquin Logging Museum (1992 - present), Found Lake Staffhouse; and
- Individuals who have been Museum Technicians, Naturalists, Trail Crew, and a host of other positions within these facilities for either The Friends of Algonquin Park or the Ontario Government.
Planning Your Arrival
Early Campsite Setup (5:00pm to 7:00pm, Friday Evening Only)
For reunion registrants who selected "require a campsite" on their completed registration form, you can proceed directly to Kearney Lake Campground prior to the opening of registration at the Algonquin Park Visitor Centre. Meet campground hosts (Karen and Ernie Martelle) from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Kearney Lake Campsite #238 for your assigned campsite. The reunion starts with an evening reception at the Algonquin Park Visitor Centre, see the Reunion Agenda below for details.
Weekend Registrants (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)
If you have registered for the entire weekend of reunion events you should proceed directly to the Algonquin Park Visitor Centre (at km 43) starting at 7:00pm on Friday to obtain your registration package, event itinerary, daily vehicle permit, and camping permit (if you previously registered for camping). The reunion starts with an evening reception at the Algonquin Park Visitor Centre, see the Reunion Agenda below for details.
"Saturday Only" Registrants
If you registered for "Saturday only" you will need to pick up your registration package, event itinerary, and daily vehicle permit at the Algonquin Park Visitor Centre after 9:00am on Saturday. For those participants who registered for "Saturday only" and plan to attend the early morning Bird Walk or Canoe Outing you can register for the reunion after the end of these morning events. See the Reunion Agenda below for details.
Reunion Agenda
Below is the agenda for the 2019 Algonquin Park Visitor Services Reunion. Events marked with * were selected by participants on the registration form. Your custom reunion agenda will be provided in your registration package available at the Algonquin Park Visitor Centre.
Friday, September 6, 2019 |
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Time | Event | Location | |
5:00pm to 7:00pm | Early Campsite Setup* (Only for registrants who required camping on their completed registration form) | Kearney Lake Campground see campground hosts on site #238 for details, and the "Early Campsite Setup" paragraph above. | |
7:00pm - 8:00pm | Arrival, Obtain Registration Package, and Park Permit (plus camping Permit*) | Algonquin Park Visitor Centre | |
8:00pm - 9:00pm | Welcome and Opening Remarks including Photo Booth, Silent Auction, Snacks and Drinks (included with "weekend" registration) | Algonquin Park Visitor Centre | |
Saturday, September 7, 2019 |
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Time | Event | Location | |
Starting at 9:00am | Arrival, Obtain Registration Package, and Park Permit (for "Saturday Only participants and late arrivals) | Algonquin Park Visitor Centre | |
8:00am - 9:30am | Bird Walk* — Join Seasonal Naturalists Peter Simons, Henrique Pacheco, and Sarah Lamond as they lead an exploration of some of our northern habitats to search for Algonquin Park's boreal specialty birds, while also recounting some of the notable observations (and observers) of glory birds.
Note: "Saturday only" registrants can register at the Visitor Centre upon completion of this event. |
Mizzy Lake Trail rail bed. Meet at the intersection of the Arowhon Road and old OAPS railway (at km 15.4, head north on the Arowhon Road for 4.6 kilometres to the intersection). | |
9:00am - 12:00pm | Canoe Outing* — After a brief introduction on land, and a review of canoe safety and techniques, explore Algonquin Park by canoe with a short paddle along the flat water of the Madawaska River from Lake of Two Rivers to Whitefish Lake, and return. Join Kevin Clute, Group Education Program Coordinator and Special Projects Leader with The Friends of Algonquin Park and discover this popular day tripping canoe route. Learn more about this historic logging waterway, the importance of the railway that follows the river, plus reminisce about past canoe outings for the public at this location.
Note: "Saturday only" registrants can register at the Visitor Centre upon completion of this event. |
Departing from, and returning to, the Lake of Two Rivers East Beach Boat Ramp (south from km 35.4)
Alumni must provide: their own equipment and safety gear; lunch, drinks, and snacks for consumption along the route; proper clothing for the weather; and a moderate level of physical fitness (including the need for a 50-metre portage around Pog Lake Dam). Youth must be accompanied by a supervising adult. |
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10:00am - 12:00pm | Algonquin Art Centre (Old Museum) Tour and Paddle Painting* | Algonquin Art Centre | |
10:30am - 11:15am | Algonquin For Kids Program* | Algonquin Park Visitor Centre | |
10:00am - 11:30am | Tree Walk* | Event location to be announced in your registration package. | |
1:00pm - 2:30pm | History Walk* | Event location to be announced in your registration package. | |
1:00pm - 3:00pm | So, You Think You Can Mutech? Trivia* | Event location to be announced in your registration package. | |
1:30pm - 3:30pm | Bike Hike* | Participants must provide their own equipment and the event location to be announced in your registration package. |
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2:00pm - 3:30pm | Beaver Pond Study* | Event location to be announced in your registration package. | |
2:00pm - 3:30pm | Forest Ecology Walk* | Event location to be announced in your registration package. | |
5:30pm - 7:00pm | BBQ (included with "weekend" and "Saturday only" registration options) | Event location to be announced in your registration package. | |
7:30pm - 8:00pm | The Friends of Algonquin Park's 2019 Directors Award Presentation to Howard Coneybeare | Event location to be announced in your registration package. | |
8:00pm - 8:45pm |
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Event location to be announced in your registration package. | |
8:45pm - 9:30pm | The Wild in Algonquin | Event location to be announced in your registration package. | |
9:30pm - 9:45pm | Closing Remarks | Event location to be announced in your registration package. | |
Sunday, September 8, 2019 |
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Time | Event | Location | |
9:00am - 10:30am | Continental Breakfast (included with "weekend" registration option) | Event location to be announced in your registration package. | |
10:30am - 12:00pm | Algonquin Park Visitor Centre Behind the Scenes Tour* | Algonquin Park Visitor Centre | |
12:00pm | Conclusion of 2019 Algonquin Park Visitor Services Reunion | Algonquin Park Visitor Centre |
Event Locations
The 2019 Visitor Services Reunion events will be held a various locations along the Highway 60 Corridor of Algonquin Park including:
Algonquin Park Visitor Centre
The Algonquin Park Visitor Centre opened in 1993 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Algonquin Provincial Park and the entire Ontario provincial park system. The Visitor Centre has world class exhibits on the Park's natural and human history, a relaxing restaurant and an excellent bookstore. A theatre presentation sums up the Park story and then takes you out to the viewing deck from where you can admire a breathtaking panorama of wild Algonquin landscape.
The Algonquin Park Visitor Centre is also the headquarters of The Friends of Algonquin Park and the Natural Heritage Education Program.
East Beach Picnic Pavilion
The East Beach Picnic Pavilion is a covered picnic facility suitable for 110 people frequently used for weddings, family reunions, business meetings, training courses, special events, and school group outings. Washroom facilities are available in the immediate vicinity.
Outdoor Theatre
Located south from km 35.4 of Highway 60, the Outdoor Theatre is an open air amphitheater, with bench seating for 1,000+ people, used for evening programs, special events, and Algonquin Park's famous Public Wolf Howls.
Other events will be taking place at numerous locations along Highway 60. Details will be provided upon registration in Algonquin Park.
Accommodation
Camping
Camping at Kearney Lake Campground was available for those registering for the reunion weekend. Registrants must indicate on the registration form if a campsite is required. Campsite availability is limited and is available on a first-come, first-registered basis. Additional camping opportunities exist apart from Kearney Campground (see below). See the Reunion Agenda for more details.
Other Accommodation Options
Camping opportunities (alongside the public) exist apart from the Kearney Lake Campground. These developed or backcountry campsites can be reserved through the centralized Ontario Parks reservation service, for an additional charge, and can be booked up to 5 months in advance. For more information see Fall in Algonquin Park. Please make you own accommodation arrangements early to avoid disappointment at this busy time of year.
Plenty of roofed accommodation is available both inside and outside Algonquin Park. Options vary but include lodges, yurts, and providers in neighbouring communities such as Whitney, Oxtongue Lake, Huntsville and beyond. See the Commercial Services section for providers by searching "accommodation" in the search box.
How You Can Help!
Call for Excursion Leaders
During the 2019 Visitor Services Reunion we are in need of volunteer field excursion leaders and assistants. If you would like to volunteer with a field excursion, please contact us.
Call for Images
If you have taken images in Algonquin Park of yourself and your coworkers and would like to share them with The Friends of Algonquin Park for use at the Visitor Services Reunion, please submit them along with your registration package, or if not attending, send them to Stacey Finch at The Friends of Algonquin Park.
Can't Make It To the Reunion?
Even if you can't make it to the reunion you are welcome to share your images and best wishes to be shared with attendees. Please send them to Stacey Finch at The Friends of Algonquin Park.
More Information
For more information about the 2019 Algonquin Park Visitor Services Reunion please contact us.
Related Information
- Fall in Algonquin Park
- Accommodation In and Around Algonquin Park
- Algonquin Park Visitor Centre
- Contact The Friends of Algonquin Park
Reserve your developed or backcountry campsite for your next visit.
Share your passion for Algonquin Park by becoming a member or donor.
Special regulations for Algonquin's special fishery.