Celebrating 40 Years of Supporting Our Indiana Dunes

Forty years ago in the summer of 1982, a small group of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore volunteers met to discuss how they could become more than volunteers and create an organization that would provide both financial and volunteer support to the National Lakeshore. Four years later in 1986, the FRIENDS incorporated as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, changed their name to the FRIENDS of Indiana Dunes, and added the Indiana Dunes State Park as another partner recipient of their financial support. When the Dunes Learning Center opened as an overnight environmental camp for school children in 1998, the FRIENDS extended financial support to this important childhood experience. In February 2019, the FRIENDS joined in the celebration of the National Lakeshore being reclassified as Indiana Dunes National Park.

That first year, the FRIENDS provided financial ($1,500) and volunteer support for the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. This year, 40 years later, FRIENDS of Indiana Dunes will provide in total over $100,000 in financial support and over 4,000 hours in volunteer support to our three partners.

On Saturday, October 1, FRIENDS of Indiana Dunes along with nearly 80 members celebrated our 40 years of supporting the Indiana Dunes with a variety of programs throughout our three partners properties, hosted a Chellberg Farm Family Picnic, unveiled our new FRIENDS of Indiana Dunes sign at our office, and hosted an open house of our office and grounds.

Since 1982 our mission is to enhance and foster understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of the Indiana Dunes through financial and volunteer support of the Indiana Dunes National and State Parks as well as the Dunes Learning Center.

Enjoy this photo montage sampling of the festivities during our 40th Anniversary Celebration. They represent only a small portion of the many things the FRIENDS do to make our Indiana Dunes more accessible and enjoyable to all.