Last Updated on May 17, 2025
Facts About the Scholars Program
As we transition from Holiday cheer to the 2016 New Year, it is gratifying to be reminded of past kindnesses we have bestowed upon Charlestown’s scholars who have met our expectations and who need our financial help to continue their education. The Charlestown...
Nature Trail Updates
This time of year, the Nature Trail is a fairly dormant operation, but a few things keep it interesting. For one, we have added a troll (see pic). He is properly green and peers out from the old spring opening, which seems appropriate, since by Norwegian lore they live in caves. He is about 50 feet from the covered bridge, which is also appropriate, since they reportedly like to hide under bridges and reach up to grab passersby. To round things out, the series of tree section seats nearby can be considered the trolls’ meeting room. Anyhow, kids especially like this part of the Nature Trail, and now they have another reason to enjoy it. Read more
The Last Blooming
Farewell to the Weeping Cherry
This documentary showcases the removal of the weeping cherry tree near the OLOA Chapel at Charlestown in 2016. It was dead. It had to go. It was only a tree but somehow it represented a part of the history of this place. The tree estimated to be 80 – 100 years old was removed on January 14. It lived beyond the normal life expectancy for weeping cherry trees.
Stanley Eugene Hindman
Fall Activities on the Nature Trail
If you walk along the Nature Trail, be sure to notice the new erosion control branches staked into the hillside just downstream of the covered bridge. Members of the UMBC Lambda Chi Alpha service fraternity completed this backbreaking work during our recent Fall Trail & Stream Clean-up Day. Read more
Nature Trail Clean-Up
Butterfly Garden and Milkweed
The Nature Trail continues to be a serene place to take a walk on the Charlestown campus. During the summer it has been at least 10 degrees cooler than upper, sunnier areas. A couple of trees came down across the western end of the Trail in July, but they were quickly removed by Grounds personnel. Read more
Nature Trail Updates
The Nature Trail Committee’s Trail and Stream Clean-up Day on June 6 was not only a resounding success, but also a fun work day, with 19 persons participating. We worked on cleaning Herbert Run and its tributaries, removing downed trees from the stream, pulling garlic mustard weeds, erosion control on the hillside above the Trail, clearing portions of the Trail, picking up trash by the Lake Trail, and weeding the Butterfly Garden. Read more
Santee Nation
Dr. George Brenneman produced this video in 2015 as part of his presentation about the Sioux Nation for the ELLIC program at Charlestown. He has served as a volunteer pediatrician on the Crow Creek reservation