2011 Yellowstone Leadership Challenge crew.
It is hard to believe it has been four weeks since the 2011 Yellowstone Leadership Challenge (YLC) came to a memorable end and the flood of student, parent and mentor testimonies in the form of phone calls and emails has been overwhelming, to say the least. We are still riding high after what was another moving and powerful experience with a lively bunch of Yellowstone Country teenagers. This year’s YLC changed the lives of countless youngsters and inspired a commitment to the future of Yellowstone Country. Our two service projects—part of our “Giving Back” portion of our program—were meaningful and empowering for all participants.
We want to say a very special thank you to Colby Anton of the Wolf Study team for organizing our Lamar Valley restoration project and Travis Wyman and Kerry Gunther from Bear Management for helping us continue our bear box project.
To hope everyone has enjoyed perusing our Field Journal Blog to follow the odyssey of 29 spirited teenagers and mentors.
We want to take this time to thank all of the student participants for once again joining us with high energy and for inspiring us to find new and bold ways to motivate young people to action.
Special thanks to our sponsors:
Park County Community Foundation, Yellowstone Club Community Foundation, Dome Mountain Ranch (JB and Lennae Klyap), Wade Laubach and the Town Café, Big Sky Youth Empowerment, Montana Whitewater, The Wildside (Nathan Varley and Linda Thurston) and Timber Trails.
Supporters and Volunteers:
The 2011 YLC was a huge success largely because of the incredibly talented mentors, counselors, speakers and volunteers we had on board this year and thus it is with lots of love, respect and deep gratitude that I thank our mentors Brad Bunkers, Matt Larson, Colby Anton, Michael Bent, Kyle Laubach, Ashley Sherburne, Jamie Diehl and Heather Laubach for giving so much of their valuable time and energy to this program and all of its participants. We also want to give a big shout-out to everyone else who contributed to the success of this program: Ms. Jane Cholcher from Park High, Crystal Leach, Nathan Varley, and Randy “Doons” Ingersoll.
With Gratitude,
Michael Leach, Director
Ashley and Miranda working together to get a sign in place during our Lamar Valley restoration project.
YCG board member Nathan Varley and Yellowstone Wolf Project team member Colby Anton loving the fruits of our labor.
Wildlife watching in the Lamar.
The YCG crew all geeked out before their first zip on the line.
Miranda overcoming her fears and taking the plunge.
Has there ever been a better smile in the midst of overcoming fear?
Big smiles after a big adventure.
Being Audacious.
Leaving our mark.
Representing on the Roosevelt Arch, North Entrance YNP.
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