35th Annual Range Camp 2009

Updated April 01, 2009

Why Range Management Camp?

One third of the land area of North Dakota is rangeland. Livestock production is the primary use of rangeland in the state, but we should also realize the other uses and importance of this natural resource. Wildlife habitat, water, scenic beauty, recreational opportunities and minerals are all products of rangeland which must be considered in its management.

It is the primary goal of the Range Youth Camp to teach the basic principles of range management, especially as it relates to livestock. Along with this, we hope that the participants will acquire an understanding of the complex nature of the interactions and interrelationships of the rangeland resources with other resources and uses.

Job opportunities continue to be very strong for students interested in Range/Science Management. The future looks good for jobs in the country and North Dakota in this field.

 

Time and Place

2009 marks the 3^5th annual range youth camp for North Dakota. Range Camp is held at the Hanson’s Logging Camp south of Medora, North Dakota, and is open to any youth ages 13-18 years old with an interest in our natural resources, range judging, and having fun. The camp is set within the back country of the North Dakota Badlands and the ponderosa pine region. The scenery is breathtaking with a view of the open plains from the cabins. The vegetation is very dynamic and provides excellent opportunity for educating our youth on this limited resource.

Range Youth Camp is a four-day educational camp is scheduled for mid-June, 2009. The camp is open to 40 youth with lodging, meals and educational materials provided. Camp begins at 1 p.m. MT on the first day (registration begins at 10 a.m.). Over 75% of the activities during camp are outdoor related, beginning with plant identification, soils, ecological site descriptions and GIS mapping the first day. Some indoor educational programming will occur as well as a day in Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Medora. Campers will hike, play games and learn.

A major focus of the camp is to teach youth the importance of range management through range judging. We will teach the basic concepts of range judging, hands-on learning, and actual contests for campers to compete for the Top Hand Award. The Top Hand belt buckle is awarded to the highest scoring individual among plant identification and range judging, and is a prestigious award sought after by many youth. Team awards are also given. Many events will have a team focus to encourage interaction and fun.

 

Cost

$110 per youth. The camp is capable of maintaining 45 to 50 youth, will all applicants accepted on a first-come basis.

 

Equipment Needs

Each camper should bring a sleeping bag, pillow, enough clothing for four days, rain slicker, comfortable hiking shoes, bathroom articles (towels, soap, etc.) Notebooks, paper, and pencils. Swim wear and sun lotion may also be useful. Spending money may be desired to purchase snacks and souvenirs in Medora. Room and board are provided at the camp. All transportation required during the camp will be provided.

 

Registration

Contact your county office of the NDSU Extension Service or the county extension office for an application form and brochure. Applicants are accepted on a first-come basis.

 

Consider Range Camp

The camp provides a majestic scenic location for students to learn in the field and enjoy the fun activities of a camp. It is an excellent opportunity to learn and polish the skills of range judging, as range judging is used as a tool to teach and have fun. Won’t you consider attending Range Management Camp this summer?

For more information contact:

Kurt Froelich, Extension Agent/Stark-Billings County
(701) 456-7665

 

Go to Stark-Billings 4-H Youth Development Page
Go to Stark-Billings Extension Office Home Page
Go to North Dakota 4-H Home Page