Published 5/3/08

Youth Range Camp applications available

Applications are now available for the 2008 Montana Youth Range Camp, the Governor's Rangeland Resources Executive Committee announced.

This year's camp will be held the week of Aug. 4 - 8 at the Hysham School in the town of Hysham, and is open to all students ages 12 -18.

"Range camp is a great experience for students with 4-H or FFA backgrounds, and for young people interested in native plants, geology and other natural resource topics," said Heidi Olbert, Rangeland Program Coordinator with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC).

Students will attend outdoor classes, covering four major subjects: water and riparian areas; soils and geology; rangeland monitoring; and wildlife and livestock grazing management. Students also receive instruction in plant identification and anatomy, and work in teams to solve a natural resource or range management problem, presenting their solutions to a panel of judges at the end of the week.

Along with coursework, Youth Range Camp offers opportunities for fun and recreation. Students this year will have the chance to meet former NASA astronaut Frank Borman, visit Little Bighorn National Monument, and spend an afternoon at Big Splash Water Park in Billings. A dance takes place on the last night.

This year's camp will feature an optional 400-level range class available to experienced campers or youth with range experience. Students will work on a more challenging range project and will also function as mentors to the other student teams.

Scholarships are available by contacting your local conservation district for more information. Additional assistance and help is being provided by Montana DNRC, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Montana State University Extension.

The 2008 Montana Youth Range Camp is hosted by the Treasure County Conservation District. For more information, contact Heidi Olbert, DNRC Rangeland Program Coordinator, at (406) 444-6619, or Tina Bonnell with the Treasure County Conservation District at (406) 342-5466, ext. 102. For more information including an application form, visit the DNRC Web site at http://dnrc.mt.gov/cardd/camps/rangecamp/default.asp.