Begun in 1930 by a group of like-minded German immigrants who were searching for a place to gather with friends and family, FON was carved out of 12 acres of Washington County farmland that included a dam that had provided hydroelectric power for a shoe factory; as well as a barn. The Natur Freunde is to this day an international movement with a background in the Social Democratic movement, which aims to make nature accessible to the wider community by providing appropriate recreational and travel facilities. Although we are no longer part of the original organization, the founding members put in a large amount of sweat equity, and worked together to build a pool from the dam, and a clubhouse with upstairs sleeping facilities out of the old barn. Large areas were cleared and mown by hand in order to create spaces for sports and picnicking. Located in the Town of Polk, with Cedar Creek running through the property, it remains a quiet haven for wildlife and a great place to gather with friends and family.
Our goals are simple: to promote friendship and goodwill by providing a safe and welcoming location and environment for family and friends to congregate and enjoy the outdoors. We sell beer and soda, and charge entrance fees on weekends from May through September in order to cover expenses. The rest of the year, the camp is closed to the public. We are honored to be the home of the Wisconsin Fistball Association, and the United States Fistball Association. The sport is played on Sunday mornings in June and August.
Member responsibilities include duty weekends (with typically a total of 4 members per weekend group) that consist of cleaning, mowing and general maintenance of the camp grounds and facilities, entrance fee collection as well as beer and soda sales, and overall stewardship of the property. Camp opening and closing are work days when we prepare the camp for the season, or prepare it for the winter ahead. As projects are identified and other work dates planned, we rely on our membership to make every effort to be available to assist barring unavoidable circumstances.
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.
~Helen Keller~
If you are interested in joining our F.O.N. family, please complete the attached application form and present it to one of our membership. We look forward to working with you!
Application for Membership
Date of Application
Name
Address
Date of Birth
Occupation
Recommended by
I pledge to adhere to the by-laws of the Friends of Nature of Wisconsin, and promise to work for the interest of the organization
I agree to pay annual membership dues as levied by the organization.
Accepted by
A non-refundable fee of $5.00 is required upon presenting the application for acceptance as a probationary member. Upon completion of the prescribed terms of probation, a vote will be taken at the next scheduled meeting date, at which point membership will be determined.
