Superior students, teachers benefit from 600-acre school forest donation

The Superior school district’s 600-acre school forest in Summit is the place to be this year.

Teachers are signing up for trips to the property in record numbers, and support has been building for school forest program, which received a large boost recently thanks to a $10,720 donation from community member Fred Petroske.

The Superior School Board voted to accept the donation Tuesday. The school forest planning committee plans to place the bulk of the money in a foundation fund.

“We could easily spend the money right now in so many different ways: on building improvements, supplies, etc.,” said school forest team leader Lori Danz. “We are trying to think long term right now and are hoping to build that foundation so eventually we can use those funds in ways that directly impact students over a longer period of time.”

The goal for the school forest, Danz said, is self-sufficiency. The program already supplements its budget with lumber sales and grant money and benefits from a steady stream of volunteer support.

“The exciting thing about this donation is that the word is getting out about the learning opportunities that are happening, and I believe it shows that people believe it is a program worth supporting, both for our students and the community at large,” Danz said.

Janna Stevens, Superior school district superintendent, worked with the school forest planning team in its earliest stages. She said the passion and enthusiasm of the team has been infectious and is the driving force behind the program’s success.

When she sees where the program is today, she smiles at her previous worries.

“Lori and I, when we started this venture out together, we thought, ‘Is it really ever going to get anywhere?’” Stevens said.

Over the past two years, the school forest program has made dramatic progress. Since 2009, two new buildings and a challenge course have been added to the property. The challenge course opened in October and received high marks from the faculty and students who went through the circuit of team-building exercises.

Both improvements have increased the school forest’s popularity among teachers and students. Stevens said this year could mark the first time the district has difficulty covering travel expenses for all the trips to the forest.

Still, Stevens said, it’s a good problem to have.

“I didn’t think we would get this far, but I’m grateful we did,” she said.

On Friday, the school forest will host a family snowshoe event at the property in Summit.

The event begins at 6 p.m. with a short presentation on the history of snowshoeing. Hikes begin at 6:30 p.m. with a choice of two trails.

The shorter trail is designed to be family friendly and is about half a mile.

“We will also be having trivia facts posted along the shorter trail so families and kids can search for these facts,” Danz said. “At the end of the hike, any kids that turn in the facts that they find will be eligible to register for a door prize.”

Children who collect all of the trivia facts will be eligible to enter a drawing for a free pair of snowshoes at the end of the evening.

Petroske, in addition to his $10,720 donation, gave money to purchase new bindings for the school forest’s snowshoes, and Northwest Outlet gave the district a large discount on the pair of snowshoes being offered as a prize.

“I would really like to thank both Fred Petroske and Northwest Outlet for covering the expense of new bindings on all of our snowshoes,” Danz said. “They have been very supportive our program.”

Luminaries will also light a longer trail that takes about 45 minutes to snowshoe. Danz said the trail is not difficult but may be too long for young children.

Those who attend the event Friday are encouraged to bring snowshoes, although Danz said the recent warm weather may make them unnecessary. A limited number of adult and children’s snowshoes will be available for reservation. To reserve a pair of snowshoes, contact Lori Danz at Lori.Danz@superior.k12.wi.us.

The school forest property is about five miles south of Pattison Park on Highway 35.

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