Montana 4-H Gone W.I.L.D. (Wilderness Learning Independence and Development) Backpacking Camp and Gear Library Debut

Published: 2022
By Bo Walker

After soliciting and receiving nearly $10,000 dollars in grant funding and a year of planning, Montana 4-H’s first youth backpacking camp launched in the summer of 2022. Grant funding was used to create an outdoor gear library composed of sleeping bags, sleep pads, tents, camp stoves, bear spray, and other outdoor essentials which are now available to be loaned out to local 4-H youths and their families. The outdoor gear library also served to outfit local 4-H youths for the inaugural trip of the MT 4-H Gone WILD backpacking camp. In late July and early August of 2022, seven 4-H youths successfully completed a 4-day, 3-night backpacking trip in the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness south of Georgetown Lake. 4-H youth, aged 12-14 years old, were taught how to pack and carry their camping gear, set up and maintain a camp, plan and cook nutritious backcountry meals, and many other outdoor lessons. Instructors Ben Hauptman (Granite County MSU Extension Agent), Kayleen Kidwell (Deer Lodge County MSU Extension Agent), and Bo Walker (Powell County MSU Extension Agent), led the 4-H group over five miles into the backcountry to Johnson Lake where they set up base camp. From base camp, 4-H youths were immersed in the natural world while learning about fire ecology, mountain flora and fauna, wilderness first aid, and leave-no-trace principles as well as enjoying campfires, swimming and fishing in the lake, and tracking wildlife. The trip's highlight for many youths came on the third day when the group made the five-mile round trip hike to the summit of Rainbow Pass (9,200 ft). No campers had ever hiked that high up or had the opportunity to enjoy such a sweeping, high-mountain view before. Around the campfire and after a warm meal each night, 4-H youths and camp instructors discussed the highs and lows of the day. Many campers enjoyed the experience of being outdoors and away from their cell phones and social media all day long. Some campers reveled in the quiet and solitude of their temporary home. Others liked that they had to work hard to maintain adequate food, water, and shelter. Overall, all 4-H youth campers deemed the trip a success and a highlight of their 4-H years.