LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — On Saturday, April 6, the Camp Wildcat Preservation Foundation is teaming up with the Civil War Preservation Trust to clean up and fix up the Camp Wildcat Civil War Battlefield prior to the influx of summer visitors.

There are about 10,000 visitors per year to the battlefield including some from foreign countries, said Maxine Cass, foundation secretary. On weekends hats and books are sold in the pavilion. There are several trails to explore and informational signs.

This is the 17th year that this joint effort has occurred, said Camp Wildcat Preservation Foundation President John Strojan.  Over the years, the Camp Wildcat Civil War Battlefield has been supported by the Camp Wildcat Preservation Foundation, the Laurel County Fiscal Court, the Daniel Boone National Forest staff and the Laurel County Historical Society.

Any interested citizens, clubs, community leaders, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, or other organizations are invited to come out and join the efforts.  Food and refreshments will be provided at no cost, as well as a free T-shirt provided by the History Channel.  Scouts will receive a patch for their uniforms for participation.  In addition, there will be a historical speaker.  Any necessary tools will be provided.

Work activities will include the following:

• Cutting small trees on Hoosier Knob earthworks.

• Conducting erosion control and other maintenance work on Hoosier Knob Trail.

• Clean out the culverts.

• Picking up trash along roads leading to Camp Wildcat.

• Picking up litter along trails at Camp Wildcat Battlefield.

• Scattering lime on grass around main parking lot.

The clean up will begin at 9 a.m. and lunch will be served at 1 p.m.  All are asked to meet at the main parking lot near the top of Wildcat Mountain.

In case of rain, the clean up day will be rescheduled to April 13.

Directions to Camp Wildcat: Follow I-75 to exit 49 and follow signs.  

Alternate directions: Take north U.S. 25 to Hazel Patch Road and follow signs.



cmills@sentinel-echo.com