The Highground is excited to announce registration is open for the annual three-day Winter Veterans Retreat scheduled for February 2–4, 2024 along with the addition of a one-day Ice Fishing Event on Saturday, February 3 on Lake Arbutus. Both events are open to all male and female Veterans and Veterans will be treated to great food at both events.

The Ice Fishing Day on Saturday, February 3 is offered with the generous hosting and fishing guide assistance of Paul Borsheim, Mike Prindle, Eugene Bertrand and Josh Olson. Ice fishing equipment and guidance in comfortable ice fishing shacks will be available for registered Veterans who do not have experience and/or their own equipment. Veterans who have experience ice fishing and/or their own equipment can also register for this fun event. All Veteran attendees are responsible for getting their own valid Wisconsin fishing license and having it with them while they are ice fishing. Veterans can get their fishing licenses online at gowild.wi.gov/

The annual three-day Veterans Retreat scheduled for Friday, February 2–Sunday, February 4 will include the February 3rd ice fishing event at Lake Arbutus. This Winter Retreat is a gathering of Veterans for a fun and memorable weekend of snowshoeing, ice fishing, post-traumatic stress management workshops, art workshops and a Veteran-guided tour of The Highground. All activities are free for registered Veterans. Ice fishing equipment and snowshoes will be provided for use during the weekend. As noted above, Veterans are responsible for getting their own valid Wisconsin fishing license and having it with them while they are ice fishing during the retreat.

Lodging for the retreat will be at an area motel near The Highground at no cost to the Veterans. This is a unique Central Wisconsin opportunity to spend a day or a three-day weekend in the company of fellow Veterans, make new friendships and enjoy what The Highground and surrounding area has to offer.

Veterans who attended the The Highground Winter Veterans Retreat last year stated, “This is a great way to get out there and learn ice fishing…I would have never done this on my own!” and “This really helped me have fun in a season when I usually sit inside too much.” According to Theresa Hebert, The Highground’s winter retreat coordinator, “Outdoor activities and being able to gather together with other Veterans, especially in the winter, have helped many Veterans to relax, improve their mental health and continue on their PTSD management journey.”

Registration is required by January 19, 2024 for both events. Due to limited space, a $30 registration fee is required for both events but will be fully refunded to the Veteran when they arrive.

For more information and to reserve a spot at either event, Veterans are invited to contact Theresa by email to museum@thehighground.us or by calling 715-743-4224.

The Highground thanks the Lake Arbutus Association for their help in connecting The Highground to the generous ice fishing guides mentioned above. The Highground Veterans Ice Fishing Day and Winter Veterans Retreat are sponsored by a grant from the WDVA, Borton Construction, Patricia and Michael Tatro, Linda Czaplinski, The Roper Trust, The National Society of Dames of the Court of Honor, Michele Benson, Beth Murray and Karen Kensel.

For upcoming events and more, visit our Calendar of Events or follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/TheHighgroundVeteransMemorial.

The Highground is located at W7031 Ridge Rd, Neillsville WI 54456. thehighground.us.