The Friends provide funds and volunteers to support many events throughout the year at Devil’s Lake State Park. The following are events we have supported with volunteers and/or funding over the past few years.

Members Only

FODL Annual Meeting

Every autumn, the FODL holds an annual meeting for our members at Devil’s Lake. The meeting includes a dinner, speaker and the Friends and DNR staff share pertinent information from our past year and year ahead.

Arts

Music in the Park

Every year, the Friends sponsors live, local bands to play in the picnic area near the North Shore Chateau in June, July and August. Guests get to sit back, relax, and enjoy talented musicians play while taking in the splendor of Devil’s Lake.

Natural & Human History & Interpretation

Birdwatching Events

We have supported birdwatching events, including Birds and Bagels and Birds and Brats. Open to all Park guests, Park Naturalist, Susan Johansen-Mayoleth, leads bird enthusiasts in “lawn chair” birdwatching activities at Steinke Basin. The Friends lends volunteer support and provides refreshments for participants to enjoy while watching our local flying and flapping friends.

Fox of the River Voyageur LLC Tours

The Fox of the River Voyageur tour includes a trip across Devil’s Lake in a fur trade era replica 28-foot wooden handmade canoe. Participants learn about the “Voyageur way of life,” in a hands-on experience while paddling the canoe with other participants. The experience is free to the public due to sponsorship from the Friends.

Geology Field Trip

In May 2018, the Friends sponsored a Geology Field Trip, led by Board member and professional geoglogist, Bernadette Greenwood. This members-only trip ventured to three famous geological landmarks in the Baraboo area:

We hope to continue this tradition taking members to other significant geological locations across the Baraboo area.

Member’s Only Kayak Tour

Each year, the Friends sponsors a members-only kayak tour led by Park naturalist, Sue Johansen-Mayoleth, who offers classes and activities throughout the year from the Nature Center. The kayak tour takes participants on a two-hour journey across Devil’s Lake that explores the lake’s unique geology, spectacular views, and native wildlife.

Seasonal Hikes

The annual Halloween Hike and Pumpkin Carving Event and Candlelight Snowshoe at Devil’s Lake are very popular, well-attended events.

 

In October, the Friends sponsor a Pumpkin Carving Contest followed the Halloween Hike. Pumpkin carving stations are set up near the Rock Elm Shelter in the afternoon. Participants are greeted by Friends volunteers who set them up with carving supplies and a pumpkin. Afterwards, the pumpkins are judged by the Halloween Hike participants who enjoy a one-mile torch-lit hike, campfire, a trivia game, craft stations at the Rock Elm Shelter, and more. The Friends provide volunteer support, refreshments, and campfire entertainment for guests during the event.

Candlelight Snowshoe participants can bring their own snowshoes, or borrow snowshoes purchased by Friends donations. The self-guided snowshoe hike begins at Rock Elm Shelter and meanders through a candle-lit winter wonderland. The Friends also provides volunteer support and refreshments for participants to enjoy by the campfire.

Sport

Devil’s Challenge Triathlon

The Friends have traditionally helped recruit volunteers for the event. We may help park cars and occasionally help with race logistics (water stations, etc). Event sponsors usually donate to the Friends to thank us for the support.

Volunteer Work Days

Volunteer Vacation - June 2024

Participants must be 18 years of age or older. All work and meal supplies are provided. Contact Dave Barger for additional information.

Work *Play* Earth Day

This annual event is part of a state-wide effort by Friends of Wisconsin State Parks to celebrate Earth Day while helping out and enjoying a Wisconsin State Park System property. 30+ park properties participate, including Devil’s Lake State Park. In 2017, 1,437 volunteers participated donating more than 4,000 hours state-wide. Specific dates vary year to year, but this event is always close to Earth Day.

Volunteers can join DNR staff, Friends, and people from nearby communities to help repair and enhance park, forest and trail properties. "These volunteer events are a great way to get out in the spring and shake the cobwebs off after the long winter," said Janet Hutchens, volunteer coordinator for the Wisconsin State Park System. "These events are not only a great way to give back to park properties you enjoy using throughout the year, they are great opportunity to socialize with others who share your love of the outdoors and want to help protect our environment."

Activities on Work Play Earth Day have included installing benches, removing invasive plants, painting picnic tables and other structures, raking and cleaning up leaves and picking up litter. The Friends provide lunches and refreshments for volunteers.

For complete details for all state properties, check out Work Play Earth Day.