By Brynn Schintgen
Contributing Writer
SUAMICO – The Reforestation Camp campground, under the direction of The Friends of the Reforestation Camp, recently completed improvements to their equine campsites.
These improvements, funded by grants provided by the Wisconsin Horse Council, include a new highline to tether horses to, a hitching post, a mounting block and a manure pit.
The campground, established in June 2022, had six campsites designated for horses, but no place for campers to hitch or tether their horses.
Carrie Quatsoe, who oversaw and organized these improvements, said, “Horse campers appreciate it; they used to have to set up tethers themselves, but now they are included on site.”
Other amenities include access to electricity and water at each campsite, as well as close proximity to the NEW Zoo and Adventure Park.
In addition to assistance from the Wisconsin Horse Council, Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) provided poles and electrical equipment, while students of the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) installed them.
Quatsoe’s colleague, Jason Petrella, said that these improvements have made the campground “a lot easier and enticing for people with horses.”
Petrella said that the campground appeals to visitors because it “is in the woods, but not far from Green Bay.”
He said that campers really feel like they’re out in nature, but appreciate being close to the city.
In addition to horse trails, the Reforestation Camp has hiking and mountain bike trails, and cross country skiing trails in the winter.
One thing Petrella said he loves about the campground is that, “It appeals to many user groups, and opens people up to the trails out here. Different, fun activities all coexist.”
Quatsoe and Petrella both emphasized that it is “exciting to see how [the campground] grows with the horses,” and how they are “excited to be a part of something from the ground up.”