2009 Montana Youth Range Camp to be held July 27-31 in Lincoln

2009 Montana Youth Range Camp to be held July 27-31 in Lincoln

DNRC – Applications are now available for the 2009 Montana Youth Range Camp. This year’s camp will be held the week of July 27-31 at Cane West Ridge near the town of Lincoln, Mont., and is open to all youth 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 visit the Gates of the Mountains. A dance takes place on the last night. Scholarships are available by contacting your local conservation district for more information. Additional assistance and help to run the camp is being provided by Montana DNRC, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Montana State University Extension.

Cost for the camp is $125 and includes meals, lodging and all scheduled activities.

The 2009 Montana Youth Range Camp is hosted by the Lewis & Clark Conservation District. For more information, contact Heidi Olbert, DNRC Rangeland Program Coordinator at (406) 444-6619, or Chris Evans with the Lewis & Clark Conservation District at (406) 449-5000, ext. 112. For more information, including an application form, visit the DNRC Web site at http://dnrc.mt.gov/cardd/camps/rangecamp/default.asp.