Community Projects - Grateful Montana
Service Projects
Description: The Grateful Montana Project plans and creates a camping experience for children of deployed military personnel. Project targets ages 8-12, however, some adjustment may be necessary to accommodate families. In 2011 and 2012, eight children attended camp. Missoula Sunrise Club of Missoula works with our Rotary Club of Missoula to facilitate this camp. This is a two night experience with the majority of time spent at Dunrovin Ranch in Lolo. Dunrovin donates the facilities, horses and riding instruction.
Meals are brought in, kid friendly menus such as pizza, hamburgers, cold cereal and fruit, sandwiches and lots of water to drink. Dunrovin participates in the University of Iowa's Osprey Watch. A real time camera is mounted on an osprey nesting platform. The camera can be manually maneuvered to capture real time shots of ranch grounds. Internet address (URL) is given to parents(s) so they can watch children in real time.
First night: A tour and dinner at Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, we order food, then transport to Dunrovin Ranch. Campers sleep in sleeping bags under the canopy of the "Dance Hall', a covered platform which serves as both eating and sleeping structure. Fire rings are available, lawn toys are provided and, depending on conditions, the Bitterroot River is available for swimming, catching minnows, etc.
Next day: Archery and BB gun instruction, horseback riding instructions, fly fishing demonstration and instruction, swimming, craft project, lawn games and campfire.
Second Day: Use Osprey Cam to communicate in real time to overseas parents. Children wave signs and are able to ride horses to show their horsemanship skills to parents. Cleanup and travel to MCT for a tour and hopefully a "How to apply gory makeup" session. Lunch and swimming at Splash Montana where parents pick up children.
Results we want: In order to show our thanks to those serving in the Military, Rotary offers a camping experience to children of military personnel. children have a wonderful time in a safe and friendly environment, interacting with caring adults who have been screened through Rotary's background check process or another similiar process. Parents who are overseas very much appreciate being able to see their children, parents (grandparents) stateside appreciate a respite from care taking the children and Rotarians have a wonderful time providing a quality program for the children. In 2012, both the Missoulian and KPAX provided extensive coverage of the Osprey Cam activity with kudos for Rotary and a feel good time for all involved.
General Standards: Committee members plan menus, provide transportation, plan and conduct craft projects, utilize skills while interacting with children (swimming, fire building, wrangling horses, roping, grilling, camp songs, line dancing, etc.), arrange for other venues & activities (Fly fishing, MCT and Splash Montana), provide on-call assistance (Bringing ice, extra blankets and pads, bringing food, etc.), BB gun and Archery instruction, and assisting on-site Rotarians with othber duties as assigned. Cooperation with Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation through Sunrise Rotarian, Bob Swanson, is critical for the use and instructors for BB guns and archdery. Cate Sundeen arranged for MCT venue. Splash Montana offered discounted lunch/admission tickets for children and adults.
Current needs: members to volunteer as chaperones, guides and helpers.
Contact: Jon Lange 532-6244
Meals are brought in, kid friendly menus such as pizza, hamburgers, cold cereal and fruit, sandwiches and lots of water to drink. Dunrovin participates in the University of Iowa's Osprey Watch. A real time camera is mounted on an osprey nesting platform. The camera can be manually maneuvered to capture real time shots of ranch grounds. Internet address (URL) is given to parents(s) so they can watch children in real time.
First night: A tour and dinner at Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, we order food, then transport to Dunrovin Ranch. Campers sleep in sleeping bags under the canopy of the "Dance Hall', a covered platform which serves as both eating and sleeping structure. Fire rings are available, lawn toys are provided and, depending on conditions, the Bitterroot River is available for swimming, catching minnows, etc.
Next day: Archery and BB gun instruction, horseback riding instructions, fly fishing demonstration and instruction, swimming, craft project, lawn games and campfire.
Second Day: Use Osprey Cam to communicate in real time to overseas parents. Children wave signs and are able to ride horses to show their horsemanship skills to parents. Cleanup and travel to MCT for a tour and hopefully a "How to apply gory makeup" session. Lunch and swimming at Splash Montana where parents pick up children.
Results we want: In order to show our thanks to those serving in the Military, Rotary offers a camping experience to children of military personnel. children have a wonderful time in a safe and friendly environment, interacting with caring adults who have been screened through Rotary's background check process or another similiar process. Parents who are overseas very much appreciate being able to see their children, parents (grandparents) stateside appreciate a respite from care taking the children and Rotarians have a wonderful time providing a quality program for the children. In 2012, both the Missoulian and KPAX provided extensive coverage of the Osprey Cam activity with kudos for Rotary and a feel good time for all involved.
General Standards: Committee members plan menus, provide transportation, plan and conduct craft projects, utilize skills while interacting with children (swimming, fire building, wrangling horses, roping, grilling, camp songs, line dancing, etc.), arrange for other venues & activities (Fly fishing, MCT and Splash Montana), provide on-call assistance (Bringing ice, extra blankets and pads, bringing food, etc.), BB gun and Archery instruction, and assisting on-site Rotarians with othber duties as assigned. Cooperation with Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation through Sunrise Rotarian, Bob Swanson, is critical for the use and instructors for BB guns and archdery. Cate Sundeen arranged for MCT venue. Splash Montana offered discounted lunch/admission tickets for children and adults.
Current needs: members to volunteer as chaperones, guides and helpers.
Contact: Jon Lange 532-6244