Dad & Small Business Owner
Charlie grew up on the banks of the South Fork American river in Lotus, California. As a child he would often spend more time wandering around Camp Lotus following his dad and mom around than at home. He loved going on adventures with his parents and sister, and fell in love with the river at a young age.
Charlie began kayaking as a child and began paddling professionally at eighteen. He 
kayaked his way through college, traveling to kayak different rivers as much as possible. Eventually, Charlie became interested in law and went to law school. After the first year, he took a sabbatical to co-create the environmental documentary The Last Descent. Upon completion of the film, Charlie finished law school and became a prosecutor. Upon being told by his parents they wanted to step back and retire from running Camp Lotus, Charlie and his wife Crystal decided to move home. On returning home Charlie began running Camp Lotus with help from his mom, and does occasional pro bono environmental law. He lives in Lotus with his amazing wife and three wild young children. Charlie could not be happier and prouder to be part of the amazing work that Friends of the River does every day in protecting our rivers.