Twenty-one campers age 10-17 made the trip from Northern Montana, mostly from Rocky Boy and Havre, to the Luccock Park Camp south of Livingston for the 2008 Climbing Toward Camp in June. Camp participants visited Yellowstone National Park and went whitewater rafting, swimming and rock climbing, while forming bonds among the diverse youth. Climbing Toward was founded by John Mitchell of Box Elder, along with Havre community leaders Norton Pease, Christy Keto and Kate Hillson in 2005 in partnership with Hopa Mountain and other organizations (www.climbingtoward.org). The group aims to celebrate diversity and begin erasing socio-economic, cultural, and racial boundaries for our youth. The 2008 Climbing Toward youth leadership camp kicks off a year of community building youth projects that are all made possible with generous support from the O.P. and W.E. Edwards Foundation.
Last week marked the third summer that these camps have been conducted, connecting youth with the greater Yellowstone Country and bridging racial gaps. This dissolving of differences is the priority that started off the movement to form the Climbing Toward group, which saw nearly immediate success in 2006. Program leaders observed during the first summer camp back in June of 2006 that “by day two, these young leaders were building friendships and segregation by race, gender, and hometown had faded!” Affirmation of this continued success was more prevalent during the long, activity-filled days in Paradise Valley and Yellowstone National Park.
For the first full day of camp, the youth saw an IMAX film on Yellowstone National Park’s history and some participants, members of the Little Southern Cree Singers, performed on the lawn of the Museum of the Yellowstone. These talented musicians were none other than five of the campers themselves, supported by talented campers as dancers. Unfortunately, untalented dancers, yours truly included, were among those ‘volunteered’ for what apparently turned out to be ‘comedic support’.
From here, the focus turned aquatic as the campers found themselves at the lovely Chico Hot Springs. After a long day of driving and sightseeing, and performing, it was wonderful to soak in the hot springs. Upon our arrival back at camp, the energy levels were still soaring, so Frisbee and soccer games ensued. As hours passed, eventually, as the campfire died down, the campers found there way back to their respective bunks and awaited another day of fun.
The campers woke up to breakfast and basketball, later driving to see Old Faithful. The trip was exceptionally beautiful, full of sublime sights of distant mountains and the excitement of seeing four-legged beings not normally associated with road trips. After arriving at the Old Faithful Inn, we were just in time for an eruption, followed closely by another performance by our talented drumming circle. An impromptu crowd gathered and more observers turned into participants, displaying their appreciation for the tribal song and dance.
From here, the youth were truly inspired by the incredible motivational speech by Michael Leech, executive director of Yellowstone Country Guardians. He informed them that they are all citizens of Yellowstone Country, that the park is part of who they are. Protection and preservation of the park is in the hands of the youngest generations, and the teens were definitely instilled with a sense of responsibility and pride.
Day four brought an intense day of excitement and discovery. Starting immediately after breakfast, the youth departed for a brisk hike up to Pine Creek Falls. The scenery was fantastic and the weather could not have been better.
From the hike, the youth scurried back to camp only to load up to start their whitewater-rafting trip down the Yellowstone. This was a clear favorite among the campers as their most enjoyed activity of the entire expedition. Eight miles down a river in full sun that seemed too placid to challenge the campers turned into an hour and a half adventure leaving everyone smiling and soaked. Returning to the campsite, the youth then departed for rock climbing until dusk, another favorite activity among the group. The adventure carried with it the metaphor that surrounded the formation of the group, the idea that they are all climbing toward a more tolerant and understanding future. The youth worked hard to reach the high peaks, feeling warmly rewarded for their efforts in the end.
On Tuesday morning, the Hopa Mountain staff saw the teens off, departing back home to Northern Montana. Among the goodbyes and final thought of camp, all could hear side comments of how some could not believe that this installment of Climbing Toward summer adventures was already over. There will be more to come in the fall. For more information about Climbing Toward or how you can create cross cultural youth programs in your community, please call Hopa Mountain at (406) 586-2455 or visit www.climbingtoward.org.
- Alex Keenan
