Chasing Autumn
​September 10-12, 2025
Treehaven Facility | Tomahawk, WI
Additional Interests, Lectures, Mind and Body, Retirement Learning
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Chasing Autumn

​September 10-12, 2025 | Treehaven Facility | Tomahawk, WI

​Registration closes August 22, 2025​ at Noon

​Details


Join us for "Chasing Autumn," an unforgettable overnight camp experience for adults at the beautiful Treehaven Facility in Tomahawk, Wisconsin. From September 10-12, 2025, enjoy the splendor of the fall season with a range of fun outdoor activities. Enjoy birding, crafting, kayaking, hiking, and d​utch oven cooking in a serene and picturesque setting. Connect with nature, learn new skills, and make lasting memories on this autumn adventure!

Treehaven Facility​

​Treehaven's facilities rest on an ancient glacial ridge overlooking 1,400 acres of forest and wetland habitat that hosts an abundance of wildlife species including osprey, deer, black bear, wolf, coyote, and fisher. 

They called this land "Treehaven", and under their care and supervision, the Kummers planted nearly 140,000 trees on the property, ultimately creating one of the nation's finest examples of sustainable forest management by a private landowner. Following Gordon Kummer's death, Dorothy remarried a Milwaukee school science teacher named Jacque Vallier, also an avid conservationist.  The Valliers eventually donated the land to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and helped mold Treehaven into the leading natural resources education and conference facility it is today. It now provides education and training to more current and future natural resource managers than any other center in the United States.

Learn more about UWSP's Treehaven Facility​​

​​​Scholarships

Scholarships are available. Please contact uwspceweb@uwsp.edu for more information.

​Registration Information

  • General Public: $380 per person
  • ​​​​​​​​​​​LIFE Members: $360 per person
  • UWSP Alumni: $360 per person
  • Veterans: $360 per person
    • ​​​Single Room Supplement: $94
    • Kayaking fee: $12
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​For those who prefer to mail in their registration, please follow the instructions below:


Complete the form above and mail to:

Continuing Education, UW-Stevens Point 
2100 Main St. Rm 032 Old Main 
Stevens Point, WI 54481

For additional information or assistance with registration, please email Customer Service at uwspceweb@uwsp.edu or call 715-346-3838.
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​Included in Event Price

​
Price includes:

  • ​Six sessions selected in advance (does not include kayaking fee)
  • Two evening presentations
  • Lodging for two nights
  • Two breakfasts, three lunches, two dinners
  • Session presenters
*Sponsorship funds allow us to price this event lower than actual costs

​Schedule​


Full Schedule
Wednesday, September 10
10 - 11 ​a.m.
Arrive/check into rooms
11:30 a.m. - NoonWelcome/Group Acitivity/Q & A
Noon - 12:45 p.m.
Lunch
12:45 - 1:00 p.m.
Break
1 - 3 p.m.
Session A
3 - 3:15 p.m.
Break
3:15 - 5:15 p.m.
Session B
5:15 - 5:30 p.m.
Break
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Dinner
6:30 - 8 p.m.
Evening Program
8 - 9 p.m.
Socializing at the Firepit
Thursday, September 11
7:30 - 8:15 a.m.
Breakfast
8:45 - 9:30 a.m.
Yoga
9:30 - 9:45 a.m.
Break
9:45 - 11:45 a.m.
Session C
11:45 - NoonBreak 
Noon - 12:45 p.m.
Lunch
12:45 - 1:00 p.m.
Break
1 - 3 p.m.
Session D
3 - 3:15 p.m.
Break
3:15 - 5:15 p.m.
Session E
5:15 - 5:30 p.m.
Break
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Dinner
6:30 - 8 p.m.
Evening Program
8 - 9 p.m.
Socializing at the Firepit
Friday, September 13
7:30 - 8:15 a.m.
Breakfast
8:15 - 9:00 a.m.
Check out of individual rooms
9 - 11:45 a.m.
Session F
11:45 - NoonBreak 
Noon - 12:45 p.m.
Lunch
12:45 - 1:00 p.m.
Break
1 - 2 p.m.
Closing activity and Check-out


Session Descriptions

September 10, 2025

Session A | 1-3 p.m.
​Session A1: Ice Age Trail - Grandfather Falls (Sessions A and B)
Led by: Anne Rogalski and Mara Prausa

For hikers excited to experience one of the most loved sections of the Ice Age Trail. Embrace four moderately difficult miles while taking in the Wisconsin River and Grandfather Falls. Covers Sessions A and B.

Session A2: Kayaking (additional $10 fee)
Led by: Becky Wirkus and Becca Bauer

For beginners to experts. Learn the basics of how to successfully steer your kayak.  Enjoy shoreline wildlife and soak in nature with fellow paddlers.  All experience levels are welcome on our voyage.

Session A3: Art - Charcoal Drawings
Led by: Jan Green

Make charcoal drawings with burnt twigs. Campfire, candles, twigs, water, nature inspirations and simple techniques help you create drawings you'll want to keep.  Subject matter options provided, or draw whatever you like. Fixative spray makes your work smudge free.​

Session B | 3:15-5:15 p.m.
​​Session B1: Ice Age Trail - Grandfather Falls (Sessions A and B)
Led by: Anne Rogalski and Mara Prausa

For hikers excited to experience one of the most loved sections of the Ice Age Trail. Embrace four moderately difficult miles while taking in the Wisconsin River and Grandfather Falls. Covers Sessions A and B.​

Session B2: Kayaking (additional $10 fee)​
Led by: Becky Wirkus and Becca Bauer

For beginners to experts. Learn the basics of how to successfully steer your kayak.  Enjoy shoreline wildlife and soak in nature with fellow paddlers.  All experience levels are welcome on our voyage.

Session B3: Growing Shiitake Mushrooms
Led by: Dr. Steven Hubbard (Director of the Wiconsin Forestry Center, Assistant Professor of Forestry at UWSP) and Dr. Scott Bowe (Director of Kemp Natural Resources Station, Professor and Wood Products Extension Specialist at UW-Madison)

This hands-on demonstration will begin with a discussion of the life cycle of Shiitake mushrooms. We will then demonstrate how hardwood logs are prepared, inoculated, and cared for to grow these delicious mushrooms.​

Evening Program | From Tree to Table
From Tree to Table: Maple Syrup in Wisconsin presented by Dr. Steven Hubbard (Director of the Wiconsin Forestry Center, Assistant Professor of Forestry at UWSP) and Tony Johnson (Forestry Outreach Specialist, Maple Syrup Program Manager, UW-Madison Division of Extension)

Learn the who, what, when, where, why, and how of making maple syrup in Wisconsin. Tour Treehaven’s sugarbush and learn what it takes to produce high quality maple syrup. Participants will even have the opportunity to taste some finished products!​


​September 11, 2025

Session C | 9:45-11:45 a.m.
​​​​Session C1: Ice Age Trail - Harrison Hills (Sessions C, D, and E - all day/ sack lunch provided)
Led by: Anne Rogalski and Mara Prausa

For hikers intrigued by one of the most epic and memorable sections of the Ice Age Trail. This rollar coaster, hilly section is 14 miles long, however, our legs will decide how far we go. Covers Session C, D, and E.

Session C2: Loon Rescue
Led by: Linda and Kevin Grenzer

Kevin and Linda Grenzer of Loon Rescue, Inc, have traveled throughout the State of Wisconsin to rescue loons. They will present their rescue stories of loons who they successfully captured that were either injured, sick, entangled or iced in. Kevin and Linda will also discuss ways that you can help to protect loons.

Session C3: Game On! Cards & Boards Unleashed
Led by: Becky Wirkus and Becca Bauer

Gather around and learn some new competitive games and play some fan favorites. Plan to have fun and relax!​

Session D | 1-3 p.m.
​​Session D1: Ice Age Trail - Harrison Hills (Sessions C, D, and E - all day/ sack lunch provided)
Led by: Anne Rogalski, Mara Prausa and Tim Zeszutek

For hikers intrigued by one of the most epic and memorable sections of the Ice Age Trail. This rollar coaster, hilly section is 14 miles long, however, our legs will decide how far we go. Covers Session C, D, and E.

Session D2: Walking the Labyrinth: An Ancient Path for Modern Minds
Led by: Katja Marquart

Join Katja, Professor of Interior Architecture and experienced labyrinth facilitator and designer, for a unique workshop exploring the history, design, and purpose of labyrinths. Unlike mazes, labyrinths are single-path journeys—ancient patterns used across cultures for meditation, reflection, and quieting the mind. Discover their symbolic meaning, design elements, and how they’re used today for personal and communal well-being. The workshop includes an opportunity to walk several labyrinths and experience their calming effects firsthand.

Session D3: Card making Techniques - Cards for Honor Flight
Led by: Becky Wirkus
​

Learn some basic card crafting techniques that you can apply anywhere. Be sure to craft a card or two for an Honor Flight veteran before your session time is up.​

Session E | 3:15-5:15 p.m.
​​Session E1: Ice Age Trail - Harrison Hills (Sessions C, D, and E - all day/ sack lunch provided)
Led by: Anne Rogalski, Mara Prausa and Tim Zeszutek

For hikers intrigued by one of the most epic and memorable sections of the Ice Age Trail. This rollar coaster, hilly section is 14 miles long, however, our legs will decide how far we go. Covers Session C, D, and E. 

Session E2: Walking the Labyrinth: An Ancient Path for Modern Minds
Led by: Katja Marquart

Join Katja, Professor of Interior Architecture and experienced labyrinth facilitator and designer, for a unique workshop exploring the history, design, and purpose of labyrinths. Unlike mazes, labyrinths are single-path journeys—ancient patterns used across cultures for meditation, reflection, and quieting the mind. Discover their symbolic meaning, design elements, and how they’re used today for personal and communal well-being. The workshop includes an opportunity to walk several labyrinths and experience their calming effects firsthand.

Session E3: Light, Water, and CO2: A Hands-on Look at Photosynthesis
Led by: Paul Whitaker

Plants use light energy to build sugars, using water absorbed by roots and carbon dioxide that enters leaves.  Chlorophylls are green pigments that absorb much of the light used in photosynthesis, but other pigments, even in green leaves, play roles as well.   Using leaves that you’ll collect from the Treehaven grounds, we’ll use a simple technique to separate and visualize the different photosynthetic pigments in those leaves.  We’ll use a different technique to examine the abundance of stomates, the microscopic holes through which carbon dioxide enters leaves.​

Evening Program | Fall Colors and Plant Prerarations for Winter
Fall Colors and Plant Preparations for Winter presented by Paul Whitaker

Plants use light energy to build sugars, using water absorbed by roots and carbon dioxide that enters leaves.  Chlorophylls are green pigments that absorb much of the light used in photosynthesis, but other pigments, even in green leaves, play roles as well.   Using leaves that you’ll collect from the Treehaven grounds, we’ll use a simple technique to separate and visualize the different photosynthetic pigments in those leaves.  We’ll use a different technique to examine the abundance of stomates, the microscopic holes through which carbon dioxide enters leaves.​  ​

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September 12, 20245

Session F | 9-11:45 a.m.
​Session F1: Dutch Oven Cooking
Led by: Becky Wirkus

Come light some coals and try out Dutch oven cooking! Dutch ovens are a great way to cook on any camping trip because you can start it early and leave it as you are enjoying the outdoors. Learn how to prep your cast iron, try some new recipes, and find out just how easy it is to cook over an open fire

Session F2: Forest Bathing
Led by: Anne Rogalski and Mara Prausa

For hikers interested in exploring various looping trails on the Treehaven grounds.

Session F3: Birding
Led by: Rob Pendergast

Listen for an eclectic mix of migrating songbirds while walking, socializing, and engaging with nature.​

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​Contact Information


For additional information or assistance with registration, please email Customer Service at uwspceweb@uwsp.edu or call 715-346-3838.

​Cancellation Policy


Since we make financial commitments in advance, no refunds will be issued for cancellations. However, you may send a substitute in your place. Please email us at uwspceweb@uwsp.edu to inform us of the substitution.​___________________________________________________________________________________________

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two week in advance. Please contact Continuing Education Customer Service at 715-346-3838 or uwspceweb@uwsp.edu.

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