Walking On Volume 2, Issue 1, January 2015 | Page 12
Industry Info
Back Country Horsemen of
America Invites New Generations
The tradition of traveling long distance
through wild lands by horseback is older than
our country itself. Back Country Horsemen of
America cherishes that heritage and protects
our right to carry on that legacy. The participation of younger folks who hold the same
passion ensures that the tradition will thrive
long into our country’s future. Back Country
Horsemen of America has always put a priority on younger folks, and the Flathead Chapter
of Back Country Horsemen of Montana took
that idea and ran with it.
Keeping the Tradition Alive
For a number of years, the Flathead Chapter has sought to attract and retain younger
generations of members. The general membership, with an average
age of about 55, held a
wealth of hard-earned
knowledge, experience,
and know-how, but very
few younger folks to pass
it on to. Recognizing
the value of maintaining
the tradition of traveling through America’s
landscape with saddle and pack stock, and all
the skills that go along with that adventure,
the Flathead Chapter started reaching out to
youth and younger adults.
12 • Walking On
Life Skills
Five years ago, chapter members Andy
Breland and Chuck Allen started an annual
packing clinic for the vocational-agricultural
students of the Kalispell Public Schools. They
learn about the basics of arranging a load on
a pack horse or mule, how to manty (wrap
a load in canvas), how to fit a pack saddle,
different ways to tie on a load, gen ral horse
e
handling safety, and Leave No Trace basics.
Typically, between 30 and 35 students participate in this outstanding program each year.
Past students have carried their newfound
proficiency into their chosen careers, such as
work with the US Forest Service; membership
in a hotshot crew of elite firefighters specially trained in wildfire suppression; treating
animals as a veterinary technician; and as
wranglers for a back country outfitter.
Girl Power
For the past six years, Andy and Chuck
have been teaching for Be oming an Outdoor
c
Woman, created by the University of Wisconsin with workshops taking place in most
states. This non-profit, educational program
offers hands-on workshops to women 18 and
older in outdoor recreation such as hunting,
fishing, archery, rifle shootin