Bureau of Land Management
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Young Volunteers Preserve History
"Up on the Roof"
Restoring an Old Homestead in Montana
The cultural properties included an 1805 campsite of Capt. William Clark (from the famous Lewis & Clark Expedition), a rock art site and remnants of an old homestead known as the Ney Ranch. The homestead contained a number of written documents, photographs, and artifacts tied to a log house and outbuildings on the property all making the acquisition an extremely valuable addition to the public lands system. In addition, descendants of the original homesteaders still live in the area and can recount the stories that make history come alive. A recognition of the value of this site prompted this special summer project for the Montana Youth Challenge group. Young people from the group were put to work to clear debris and to replace the deteriorating roof of the log house. They succeeded in helping to restore the 130-year old structure to remarkably good condition. The Montana Youth Challenge Program is managed and supervised by the Montana National Guard. The program targets juveniles between the ages of 16-20 who have dropped out of high school and subsequently have gotten into trouble. As an alternative to a Juvenile Detention Center, they can apply to get into the Challenge Program. This is a competitive process. To complete the program, each participant must complete a minimum of 40 hours of community service. The Ney Ranch project provided a perfect community service opportunity for these teens. They worked very hard to successfully complete the roofing project. In addition to the boot-camp like training, the Challenge Program also provides an education program, awarding a GED (General Educational Development) diploma to those who complete the program. Many of the students who have graduated from the program go on to join the military or attend college. The sense of pride they develop toward their community service efforts promotes an initiative and a confidence to reach new goals. The Montana Youth Challenge Program has formed a partnership with the BLM Dillon Field Office in an effort to engage in future projects where everyone benefits. The BLM congratulates these young people and their contributions to their community.
Participants in Montana's Youth Challenge Program remove the old roof install a new one at Montana's Ney Ranch.
For more information, log onto the following websites:
BLM's Dillon, Montana, Field Office: http://www.mt.blm.gov/dfo/
Montana Youth Challenge Program: http://www.wmc.edu/mycp/
Ney Ranch: http://www.mt.blm.gov/ea/steward/Fall2001.pdf (see page 4)
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Last Updated: September 2, 2002
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Bureau of Land Management
Environmental Education and Volunteer Programs