By John Kozlowicz

Staff Writer

In addition to performing routine maintenance on the grounds; clearing and cutting trees, erecting and repairing fences and nailing and painting porches, the volunteer crew, headed by Heritage Preservation Executive Director, Larry Garvin, has been working on specific projects designed specifically for youth attending the conference. Beginning this year the buffalo on site will be having visitors every summer, as the Youth Conference will be making the grounds its permanent home.

Greg Gromoff, a Bison Project employee, stated that much of the work is being done for the long term. He explained that while groups regularly tour the area throughout the year, this is the first real effort aimed at making the grounds more "visitor friendly" since the Nation purchased the land in 1995. A playground and two gazebos were recently erected near the main office, offering youngsters a chance to play and adults a place to relax before and after touring the grounds. Acknowledging that most people visit the ranch "to see the buffalo roam", Gromoff believes that the work being done will make the area more accessible and enjoyable for future visitors.

Workers have completed the establishment of five campsites on the grounds. Each campsite will have a fire pit, picnic table and wigwams capable of housing 10-12 youths and their adult supervisors. Garvin explained that although some wigwams are already on site, youths will spend the first day at camp receiving instruction and training, later constructing their own housing. He added that the wood sapling, needed for the project, will be brought in from the Black River Falls area, giving the young architects a better quality of material for their project. Each campsite, specifically built above the local flood plain , will be equipped with a radio and a vehicle will be present should an emergency develop. If bad weather strikes, June in Wisconsin is noted for storms, the buildings on the grounds have been prepared to safely accommodate all those present.

Touring the grounds, I spotted Garvin and Education Department member, Sheryl Cook, constructing an obstacle course or "confidence builder". The course, which includes a thirty- foot log and rope stretched over a ravine, is the larger of two obstacle courses designed to test the kid’s endurance while providing a shortcut between campsites. Garvin stated that while completing the courses is not mandatory, the staff will be encouraging kids to try it under adult supervision. Gromoff noted that the obstacle courses, like all the activities, are designed and placed with a safety first factor.

Workers have been busy building and expanding the sheds housing the recently acquired chickens on the grounds. Introducing himself to the birds as Colonel Sanders, Garvin explained the chickens will be butchered, cooked and eaten by the youths attending the conference. Other, less deadly, activities being planned include canoeing, archery and horseback riding.

Canoeing and boating will be done in the nearby Wisconsin River, whose strong current discourages swimming. Kids will be taking a three- mile ride into Muscoda every morning to clean-up, returning later in the day for a swim in the local pool.

The nearly completed archery range features seven stands offering archers a target range of 25-300 feet. Bleachers will be constructed for all those watching and an adult supervisor will be at every stand. As Gromoff stated earlier, Garvin stressed that the range is designed with a safety first mentality, agreeing that safety comes first in every activity.

For young equestrians, the horses on the ranch have been worked out and are anxious for riders. Along with just riding, youths will be shown the proper way to saddle, groom and cool down the animal before and after the ride.