Learning and fun were plentiful for young students this summer in the Kootenai Outdoor Adventure Program.

More than 40 youth in Libby Middle School teacher Bill Moe’s program trekked from the Libby fish pond to the heights of Boulder Lakes and Warland Peak Lookout as well as many points in between.

“It was another adventurous season for us,” Moe said. “Now, we just need some snow for our winter program.”

They also work on plant and animal identification, survival, building shelter and making a fire, 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 pointed out that McBride is the program’s third full cycle participant.

“She was a student in the program, worked as a KOAP mentor and then became a KOAP instructor this year!!” Moe said. “I would also like to give a shout out to Helen, our fabulous secretary, who did a great job on dealing with an emergency along with a flat tire in the backcountry!!!”

Resource professionals from the U.S. Forest Service and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks spent several days with the groups, teaching about forestry, hydrology and fisheries.

The fifth-grade boys kicked things off on the second weekend in June with a hike on the Old U.S. 2 Highway Trail to Shannon Lake.

The next day featured a trip to Ross Creek Cedars and Bull Lake where they learned hydrology from Three Rivers Ranger District Hydrologist Ben Hegler.

A day was spent at the Libby Fish Pond learning about fisheries from local FWP staff members. The week wrapped up with a jaunt to Hoskins Lake where Kootenai National Forest’s Ed Sedler taught about forestry.

The following week, the fifth-grade girls got to enjoy the same experiences.

In late June and through the middle of July, girls and boys from sixth to eighth grades each got a week of adventure that included trips to Timberlane Campground, Grouse and Bull Lakes, kayaking on the Yaak River and Vinal Lake and Warland Lookout and Lake Koocanusa.

Their respective weeks ended with weekend backpacking and camping trips to Boulder Lakes.

    Kootenai National Forest’s Ed Sedler teaches a group of kids in the Kootenai Outdoor Adventure Program about forestry in June at Ross Creek. (Photo courtesy Bill Moe)