It's hard to imagine that sturgeon were once in danger of extinction. In the early 1900s, they had almost disappeared from the Great Lakes. Through the efforts of advocacy groups, like Sturgeon for Tomorrow, many volunteers and population management by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), these giant, prehistoric fish thrive in Lake Winnebago.
Today, it is believed there are more than 15,000 adult females and 30,000 adult males in Lake Winnebago, making it the largest, self-sustaining lake sturgeon population in the world.
It is also one of only two places in the country where sturgeon can be legally speared, making this an experience of a lifetime, and a great retreat for well deserving veterans.
Interested in taking part in this once in a lifetime experience?
Complete our Retreat Application to get started.
TOGETHER WE HEAL
RETREAT LOCATION:
STOCKBRIDGE, WISCONSIN &
PIPE LANDING
LAKE WINNEBAGO
DATES:
ARRIVE 2/8/24
CUT IN 2/9/24
SPEARING 2/10-2/11/24
DEPART 2/12/24
WHO QUALIFIES:
All veterans, all eras, all ages
14 Veterans from across the country have been selected for the 2024 veteran retreat.
Be on the lookout for more information about these veterans, and sharing their journey to see and spear a dinosaur!
Who's paying for the retreat?
Generous donors and sponsors supporting House in the Woods Military & Family Retreat, local businesses, organizations, and individuals.
We will do our best to highlight all donors below as we lead up to the retreat.
It's not difficult to imagine that there will be hundreds of volunteers, donors and business involved.
THANK YOU to each and every one of you who is playing a part in making this once in a lifetime opportunity available to these amazing veterans!
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
Sturgeon Spearing Instructors, food lodging, and entertainment for the weekend.
What are veterans responsible for:
Transportation to Fond du Lac for the event, Spearing Tag.
Shanty Sponsors
Special Thank You to these generous sponsors.
Sponsors of $2,000 or more have made it possible to supply the
House in the Woods shanties with the proper equipment necessary
for a successful spearing experience. Their logo will be applied to the shanty they have sponsored.
There are 2 more shanties in need of sponsoring.
If you're interested in making a tax-deductible donation please
reach out to Angie Gade at 920-517-6749
STUREGON SPEARING RETREAT SPONSORSHIP RECOGNITION LEVELS
HEROES LEVEL - $1,000.00
Remarks during meet and greet
Video & photos of the sponsored attendee post-event
Social Media post with logo and company tag
(multiple times throughout the year all platforms)
- Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
- Mention on Website sponsor carousel all of 2022.
Logo on event materials
Logo in event program
Invitation to Sponsorship meal during the retreat for attendee & sponsor meet & greet
Interview of Sponsoring company to post on Facebook & Youtube.
- Included for attendee (transportation including airfare, hotel 3 nights, license, shanty use and equipment, spearing mentor, meals, event sweatshirt for attendee & sponsor, hat, sturgeon processing).
PATRIOT LEVEL - $750.00
Remarks during meet and greet
Video & photos of the sponsored attendee post-event
Social Media post with logo and company tag
- Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
- Mention on Website sponsor carousel all of 2022.
Logo on event materials
Logo in event program
Inclusion on Thank You Article post-event
WARRIOR LEVEL - $500.00
Social Media post with logo and company tag:
- Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
- Mention on Website sponsor carousel all of 2022.
Logo in event program
Inclusion on Thank You Article post-event
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BUSINESSES SUPPORTING VETERANS of
House in the Woods Sturgeon Retreat
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Ecoboost
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Schumacher's Shanty of Stockbridge, Wisconsin
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Gruetts of Potter, Wisconsin
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Kasper Lumber of Potter, Wisconsin
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Hardware Plus of Brillion, Wisconsin
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Rippn-Lips Tackle Company of Stockbridge, Wisconsin
- Vortex Optics
-
Tiffany Holz Real Estate Group / Tammy Mackai
- Sturgeon 4 Tomorrow
- Uffda on Ice
- Graphic Design Marketing of Fond du Lac, WI
- Zander Press of Brillion, WI
- Pick N' Save of Appleton, WI
- Horn Ford
- Hilde's Bakery of Chilton, WI
- Christel & Heidegger Builders
- Verve of Wisconsin
- MW TIGHE of Wisconsin
- Outdoors Inc of New Holstein
- Ray Jurgensmeil - Ray's Handy Wipes
- Whitney's Outfitters of Lincoln, Maine
- Birschbach Trailer
- J&H Game Farm
- Twohig Flooring of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
- Backyard Bar & Grill of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
- Dutch's Trading Post
- House in the Woods Military & Family Retreat
- Bullseye Printing
- BP Express of Pipe, Wisconsin
- Pick N Save of Appleton, Wisconsin
- Ben Shot of Appleton, Wisconsin
- The Marsh Inn of Collins, Wisconsin
- Custom Fabrications of Wisconsin
- Open Road Harley Davidson of Fond du Lac
- Ang & Eddies of Fond du Lac
ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING VETERANS
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The Comfort Inn, Wisconsin
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The Yellow House - Brillion, Wi
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Harbor Bar & Grill - Stockbridge, Wisconsin
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Salute the Troops of Fond du Lac
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Boot-Trac Adventures
- Sons of American Legion
- Brickyard Fishing Club
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Stockbridge Fishing Club
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Quinney Fishing Club
- Calumet County Sportsman's Alliance
- American Legion Wisconsin Auxillary
- Pipe Fishing Club
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Sturgeon For Tomorrow
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Kaukauna American legion Post #41
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Dessert Vets of Fox Valley Wisconsin
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Winnebago East Shore Conservation Club
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American legion Unit 128 Aux - Kathleen Schumacher
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Northeast Wisconsin Building & Construction Trades Council
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Ox-bow Sportsmans Club
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Calumet County Post 3153
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INDIVIDUALS SUPPORTING VETERANS
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Angie Gade
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Lee Schneider
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Jeff Birschbach
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Dick Jones
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Doug Schmitz
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Steve Schmitz
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Steve Lane
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John Jenkins
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Neal Borchert
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John Endries
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Josh Heller
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Jason Turner
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Jim & Jodi Schumacher
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Tim Mader
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Brent Vogel
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Dave Meier
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Christopher Gintner
- Tammy Makai
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Dean Joas
- Mark Pape
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Kevin Klotz
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Dennis Totzke
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Bill Lodi
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Andy Krueger
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Roger Reitz
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Larry Hagens
- Beth Wenzel
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