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High School Forestry Skills Camp

June 15-20, 2025

Forestry Skills Camp

Central Wisconsin Environmental Station | Amherst Junction, Wis.

Thinking about a career in the forest industry? The Forestry Skills Camp is an immersive training experience for high school students in which you can choose one of three paths. Each path will be taught by professionals in the industry, allowing you to learn more about the careers that are available in forestry and forest products. The first two days of camp will be training in wilderness first aid, then the following three days will be spent immersed in the path you chose. This camp is designed to build real skills used in the forest industries and each path will provide 1 forestry credit in forestry at UWSP.  

In-state tuition, camp fees, lodging, and meals are covered at no cost to students. This program is supported by a Workforce Innovation Grant awarded to the Wisconsin Forestry Center from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.

Apply by Mar. 31

HIGH SCHOOL FORESTRY SKILLS CAMP

Participate in hands-on learning and skill development with instruction from industry experts.
PATH 1

Forest Measurement and Management

Students graduating in 2025, 2026, 2027, or 2028

Learn how forest management decisions are made by getting hands-on experience surveying a forest. Experience how to determine a tree’s height, diameter and volume and how that data is used to make decisions on how and when a forest should be cut. Explore harvesting systems and learn how to operate a Ponsse mechanized harvester by using a full Ponsse harvester simulator.

Path 2

Sawmill and Kiln Operation

Students graduating in 2025, 2026, or 2027

One of the primary reasons trees are harvested is to provide lumber for building anything from houses to cutting boards. Learn how professional sawmills scale and grade logs to assign value to the log and estimate the quality of lumber it will produce. Then turn logs into lumber by learning how to operate a portable sawmill and how to navigate different cutting styles to produce lumber of differing qualities. After the boards are made, learn the process of adding value by drying it in a dehumidifying wood kiln.

Path 3

Chainsaw Safety and Operation

Students graduating in 2025 or 2026

Safe chainsaw operation is a primary skill in many forest industry professions. Learn chainsaw safety, maintenance, and operation through hands on training. From sharpening your chain and learning how often to conduct maintenance on your chainsaw, to cutting tree cookies, felling simulated trees and carving a stool, you will gain the skills and knowledge to operate and take care of a chainsaw efficiently and safely.

INSTRUCTORS

Paul Ahlen

Safety and Training Specialist, North American Training Solutions

Paul Ahlen is an experienced chainsaw operator and alum of UW-Stevens Point.  He has a passion for running saws, which started at a young age helping his family in the fall and winter cut firewood each year. He credits UWSP with his first official formal chainsaw training, which started him down a life-long road of continuous self-improvement cutting and felling trees. That career road has led him to mark timber, wildland, and structural firefighting, several government agencies, and into the world of arboriculture. All along that path, Paul was running a chainsaw and credited his skill with a saw to giving him a real notable advantage when applying for jobs and performing many job assignments. Paul’s many credentials and certifications include a B.S. in Forest Management from UWSP, ISA Certified Arborist WI-0615A, and CTSP 02721 (Certified Treecare Safety Professional).

Additional Instructors Announced Soon

TRAINING LOCATION

High School Forestry Skills Camp held at the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station, a UW-Stevens Point field station. CWES is a 200-acre teaching and learning center located on glacial Sunset Lake. Since 1975, CWES has been an integral part of UW-Stevens Point’s College of Natural Resources program and is staffed with professional natural resource and environmental educators.

CWES is located at 10186 County Rd. MM, Amherst Junction, WI 54407.

MAJOR SUPPORTERS

Thank you to the following companies for their in-kind support:

For More Information

Jared Schroeder

Jared Schroeder

  • High School Program Manager
  • Wisconsin Forestry Center
  • College of Natural Resources
College of Natural Resources, Outreach and Extension, Wisconsin Forestry Center
715-346-2084