SC Wisconsin News

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s Schmeeckle Reserve is hosting its annual Candlelight Hike Festival this May. The event will take place on Friday, May 2, from 7 to 9:30 p.m., featuring the theme “Fantastic Critters and Where to Find Them.” Open to the public free of charge, donations are appreciated.

Attendees are invited to explore torch-lit trails and experience character skits performed by UW-Stevens Point students at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. at the Pankowski Friends Amphitheater. Activities include roasting marshmallows and taking part in various family-friendly activities.

Parking is available at the reserve’s Visitor Center, located at 2419 North Point Drive, Stevens Point. More details on the festival can be found at friendsofschmeeckle.org/candlelight-hike-festivals/.

In addition to the festival, Family Nature Programs will be offered throughout May. These programs, led by UW-Stevens Point students specializing in environmental education and interpretation, are open to the public and free of charge. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather and meet at the Visitor Center, unless stated otherwise, with no registration required.

The scheduled programs include:

“Bandits of the Woods,” on Friday, May 9, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Menzel Pavilion. This session focuses on raccoons, covering their habitats, diet, and predators.

“Nutty Neighbors: Understanding Squirrels,” also on Friday, May 9, from 6 to 7 p.m. The program explores global squirrel species and compares them to those at Schmeeckle Reserve.

For more information, the Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center can be reached at 715-346-4992 or schmeeckle@uwsp.edu. The reserve, encompassing 280 acres on the UW-Stevens Point campus, functions as an outdoor classroom and is operated by the College of Natural Resources to protect ecosystems and offer recreation opportunities. Additional information is available at www.uwsp.edu/schmeeckle.