Learning and fun were there for young students this summer as part of the Kootenai Outdoor Adventure program.
More than 40 young people from Libby Middle School teacher Bill Moe's program hiked from Libby's fish pond to the heights of Boulder Lakes and Warland Peak Lookout, as well as many points in between.
“It’s been another adventurous season for us,” Moe said. “Now we just need a little snow for our winter program!” »
They also work on plant and animal identification, survival, shelter building and fire starting, Leave No Trace practices and fishing.
Eight high school students, who assisted the adult leaders, also participated as mentors. They included Julianna Schumate, Leah Rusdal, Rylee Delmas, Adriana Ruhter, Bridger Moe, Cole Sunell, Caleb Hart and Isaiah Barks.
Moe was joined by fellow teachers Halley Parker, Darby Youngstrom and Andrea Boehmler, paraprofessionals Valerie Kirk, Sarah McBride and secretary Helen Robinson.
Moe noted that McBride is the third participant in the full cycle of the program.
“She was a student in the program, worked as a KOAP mentor and then became a KOAP instructor this year!!” » said Moe. “I would also like to thank Helen, our fabulous secretary, who did a great job handling an emergency as well as a flat tire in the outback!!!”
Resource professionals from the U.S. Forest Service and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks spent several days with the groups, teaching forestry, hydrology and fishing.
The fifth grade boys kicked things off the second weekend in June with a hike on the Old US 2 Highway trail to Shannon Lake.
The next day, they traveled to Ross Creek Cedars and Bull Lake, where they learned about hydrology from Ben Hegler, Three Rivers Rangers District Hydrologist.
A day was spent at Libby Fish Pond learning about fishing from local FWP staff members. The week ended with a trip to Hoskins Lake, where Ed Sedler of the Kootenai National Forest taught forestry.
The following week, the fifth grade girls were able to have the same experiences.
In late June and through mid-July, girls and boys in grades six through eight each enjoyed a week of adventure including field trips to Timberlane Campground, Grouse and Bull Lakes , kayaking on the Yaak River and Lake Vinal, as well as Warland Lookout and Lake Koocanusa. .
Their respective weeks ended with weekends of hiking and camping at Boulder Lakes.
For more information or to get involved, call or text Moe at 291-0873. Moe can also be reached at moeb@libbyschools.org.
Ed Sedler of the Kootenai National Forest teaches forestry to a group of kids from the Kootenai Outdoor Adventure program in June at Ross Creek. (Photo courtesy of Bill Moe)
Learning how to start a campfire was part of the experience for members of the Kootenai Outdoor Adventure program this summer. (Photo courtesy of Bill Moe)
Members of the Kootenai Outdoor Adventure program enjoyed catching trout in Libby's fish ponds in June. (Photo courtesy of Bill Moe)
Kootenai National Forest hydrologist Ben Hegler teaches hydrology to a group of kids from the Kootenai Outdoor Adventure program in June at Ross Creek. (Photo courtesy of Bill Moe)
Members of the Kootenai Outdoor Adventure program hiked to the Warland Peak Fire Tower in July. (Photo courtesy of Bill Moe)
