Mercer Area Chamber of Commerce

The Discovery Center is nestled within the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest. The Center's grounds and facilities are a former Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) camp, one of five opened in Wisconsin in 1962. The Statehouse Lake camp provided experiences and memories for over thirty years, when the YCC program lost its funding.

The Discovery Center formed in 1996 as a non-profit organization dedicated to natural resource stewardship and education. The site continues to be used by camp groups and by the public for trail recreation; and has expanded to include nature programs, and community and social gatherings. Recent upgrades have spruced up the Discovery Center's maturing facilities; and a bog boardwalk and Nature Nook cabin have been added, perfect for sunset walks and exploratory activities.