Member News

February 4, 2008    

Chippewa Valley, Wisconsin: Come for the Competition, Stay for the Fun!

University of Wisconsin - Stout

For those attending the upcoming USA Judo Youth & Scholastic National Championships, March 29-30 in Menomonie, Wis., the Chippewa Valley region has much to see for families, judo players, college students and coaches attending the event. In fact, Chippewa Falls was selected as one of the top ten Small Towns in America by Time magazine. 

Just one hour from Chippewa Valley, the Mall of America is known as one of the largest malls in the world. The Mall boast more than 500 specialty stores, 50 restaurants, seven nightclubs and 14 movie theaters as well as an indoor amusement park. Families wanting an extended stay can even book at one of the several hotels that connect to the mall.

Chippewa Valley itself is known for its fine wines. The Autumn Harvest Winery is the Chippewa Valley's first winery.  It produces nine varieties of award-winning wines including three apple wines using apples from the local orchards. Complimentary wine tasting is held daily where guest can sample wine and gourmet foods.

One of the best ways to discover the stories of Wisconsin's Chippewa Valley is to visit Eau Claire's nationally recognized Chippewa Valley Museum, open year-round. The museum offers award-winning exhibits, beautifully preserved historic structures on the grounds and many activities. There also is a 1950's ice cream parlor, a museum store and more. The Chippewa Valley Museum sits beneath the large pines that the valley is known for on Eau Claire's beautiful Carson Park. The park is a 134-acre peninsula nestled inside horseshoe-shaped Half Moon Lake.

If you’re looking for nature, the Old Abe Trail is the place to be. This paved 19.5 miles connects Lake Wissota State Park in Chippewa Falls and Brunet Island State Park in Cornell. The trail, an abandoned railroad grade has been developed into a trail for bicyclists, snowmobiles, hikers, horseback riders and in-line skaters.  The valley is filled with rolling hills, a river that flows through the city and much wild life.

Representatives from the Convention and Visitors Bureau will be available at the tournament to provide further tourist information on the Chippewa Valley to our competitors and their families and coaches.  For more information on things to see and do during your visit to Chippewa Valley, also please visit www.chippewavalley.net. 

There also will be a booth that University of Wisconsin – Stout will set up at the tournament site for those that have an interest in attending the school after their visit to Wisconsin. As always, it’s never too early to prepare for our next event, so USA Judo has arranged to have a Walt Disney World booth at the event for players and parents that would like to get more information on planning their upcoming trip to the Junior Olympics from July 25-27 in Kissimmee, Fla.

Don't forget...  the early entry deadline for the 2008 USA Judo Youth and Scholastic National Championships is Feb. 15!

Entry packets are available at http://www.usjudo.org/documents/2008ScholasticEntryForm.pdf.

More than 500 athletes, ranging in age from 5-years-old to collegiate athletes are expected to compete in this new premier event being held March 29-30 at the University of Wisconsin – Stout in Menomonie, Wis.

With the Junior World and Pan American Infantile Championships both being held this fall, a great deal will be at stake as 10 junior elite points will be on the line for athletes competing in Intermediate, Juvenile and IJF-Junior divisions.

See you in Wisconsin!