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Summertime use of public lands in the front country was the educational focus at Trout Creek School last week when the U.S. Forest Service, Cabinet Ranger District and Backcountry Horsemen came together for an afternoon of teaching students about outdoor recreation.

Daniel Stevens and Matt Etienne featured a Forest Service fire engine and tools used to fight wildland forest fires. A chainsaw, Pulaski, combi, axe, wedge, scrench, hex wrench, gloves, and ear plugs were demonstrated by Stevens. He continued by describing his clothing, Nomex. "I can't roll around in fire in this clothing, but it does protect me from heat," Stevens said, welcoming every student to feed their curiosities in touching his shirt.

"We have miles and miles of hose we can hook together," Etienne said as he pulled a wound hose from the engine. He also showcased a backpack pump with a 5-gallon capacity used to put out smaller fires. "This has been around longer than squirt guns," he jokily said referencing the squirt-gun type nozzle.

All it takes is one horse, two mules and a surplus of brushes to keep young hands busy. The Backcountry Horsemen accomplished this mission as they demonstrated tactics on equine recreational use, care and safety.

Members of the Horsemen took turns discussing proper techniques for approaching and passing a horse in the backcountry. They also shared the various equipment used to camp on horseback. Horse care and special features of the horse, such as eye and ear positioning and how it effects their senses was discussed. Lastly, students were able to bond by walking and brushing their newly made equine friends after having a seat on a saddle.

"Putting the red dog in the house" was commonly heard when Ed Robinson, retired forester from Idaho Department of Lands, taught students how to orient themselves with a compass after turning the map to point north. Most students did not know how to use a compass, but after spending time at the session, they understood not only how a compass works, but also learned that there are 360 degrees in a full circle.

"I keep telling my dad we need to remember to bring a bucket and shovel when we go camping," shared third grader Weston Block responding to Cabinet Ranger District's Caleb Matthew who asked what items should be taken to build and put out a campfire.

Also discussed was the proper way to build a fire, using kindling and paper to build a teepee in an already established fire ring. With assistance, each student was given the opportunity to use a hatchet to make their own kindling.

Shana Neesvig

Indulged in love, girls from Trout Creek School groom their equine friend brought to the school by the Backcountry Horsemen.

After enjoying a little fire, although the day was already a balmy 80 degrees, Matthew demonstrated the proper technique of extinguishing a fire, including water and stirring to be sure the hot coals deep within the ring are completely out before leaving the site.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks fish biologist Marc Terrazas escorted students into the fish trailer to converse about fish identification and the importance of knowing how to identify bull trout by implementing the "No black? Put it back!" slogan. Students learned about trout spawning beds called "redds," excavated gravel nests where fish lay their eggs in the months of August and September. The session was complete after a game of fish Jeopardy.

By the end of the day, students gained the knowledge needed for a summer vacation of outdoor fun and are ready for such endeavors.