Field Program

This past week, Crew #7 headed back out to the Black Hills of Wyoming! On this assignment, we were accompanied by Crew #4, Scott and Annika's team. This was their first hitch doing BDA's so this was going to be a new challenge for us crew folks. We'd need to adapt to working with another crew, teaching them everything we know about building BDAs while trying to get a job done. Fortunately for us, Scott and Annika's crew were very coachable and super easy to work with. If it weren't for their strong will to become experts like us, we couldn't have constructed 5 large post-assisted BDAs (approximately 3ft tall, 7ft long, and 15ft wide), 36 medium post-assisted BDAs (approximately 5ft tall, 15-20ft long, and 3ft wide), 18 smaller post-less BDAs (constructed with muck and rocks), and 9 BDA patches (fixing BDAs that were constructed years ago that were now insufficient). Concluding our time at the Six-T 9 Ranch, we have completed a total of 68 BDAs. Thank you, Crew #4!!

On every hitch, we MCC members are expected to take one day out of the week to cut work an hour early and do our MCC Compass Workbook. Our prompt this week was to fill out a gratitude journal. Below is what I am thankful for about my crew members:

As a twenty-year-old woman who chose not to go to college, taking a chance on an opportunity like this, I have absolutely been changed for the better. My mind and my eyes are widened. I feel like I've gotten all I could out of this professional development program. I am so blessed to be working and collaborating with the crew members I was teamed up with.

Madeline Pike, our crew lead, is the hardest-working member at the Montana Conservation Corps. I am so blessed to know that I can confidently say Madeline sets the highest standard when it comes to the quality of work we produce. Madeline is punctual, Matt Scott (our project partner) fully trusts her to lead our crew efficiently, utilizing the most out of our time in the Black Hill Mountains. I am most grateful to be working under such great leadership. Madeline's work ethic is impeccable, and I aspire to be like her when I grow up.

Abra Levin, my fellow crew member, is my role model. Abra is from Evanston, Illinois (just 45 minutes south of my hometown) and acquired her degree in Environmental Science from the University of Vermont. Afterward, Abra spent a whole year traveling abroad, widening her worldview and exposing herself to many different cultural backgrounds. I am so blessed to have the opportunity, every day, to sharpen my mind with hers. What I appreciate most about our relationship is that we have the courage to have free dialogue. Abra has the best communication skills. Abra leads the best when she vocalizes her ideas, feedback, and concerns. The truth is, when there are so many chefs in the kitchen, we're all bound to step on each other's toes. And with Abra on our team, fortunately, we do not tolerate resentment for it. For us to never hold resentment towards each other, having these communication skills that Abra has been instilled with is absolutely vital. I will forever cherish all of our conversations and all of the different perspectives I have gained from her. And with these traits that have been instilled into me by her, I am now a better communicator.

Cora Levarty, my fellow crew member, is the bravest woman I've ever met. Cora was born in Idaho, but after graduating High School at the age of 16, she has been traveling abroad ever since. Cora's been to all of the major cities in Mexico. And that was outside of her traveling to Cozumel Island, Tulum, Baja California, and the Yucatan Peninsula. Cora has also been to the Roatan island of Honduras, Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Hawaii. On our first hitch out to the Black Hill Mountains, Cora gave me a book to read called "The Glass Castle", a memoir by Jeannette Walls. The memoir is about the survival of a little girl who goes on to do great things in her adult life. The story similarly conveys the same message in Cora's life story. No matter how little you start out with, you, too, are privy to all that the world has to offer. You, too, can break out into the real world and see what's beyond the horizon. Cora is now working to get herself back to Honduras to attend the Utila Dive Center for Scuba Diver Instructor Training. After that, Cora will be working to get her own sailboat and her Captain's License so that she can forever travel the world. I feel so blessed to work with this fearless woman. Being that Cora is one of the five people that I surround myself most with, I've noticed that I am becoming less and less fearful of anything that's next for me. I am most grateful for that.

Andrew Calderhead, my fellow crew member, has the brightest spirit on our team. Andrew grew up in Redmond, Washington, and attended the University of Montana to get his degree in Environmental Studies. Andrew served in the summer terms with Madeline, so he is more familiar with the ins and outs of working as an MCC crew member. Having a vet on our team was vital to our transition into hitch life. Watching how Andrew moved at work and when we got back to camp laid the groundwork for how we'd run things this fall term. It was important for Madeline to set the standards for the way of living out on hitch, but it was also just as important for Andrew to walk the walk. To show us, leading by example, the way of living. Andrew is a phenomenal guitarist. I'm grateful that every night, while I am enjoying our delicious dinner, I am also enjoying great music. It's refreshing to be in the presence of a musician who has a genuine passion to play. Witnessing such, in and of itself, is incredibly enriching. When I lie down for bed every night, Andrew will, without fail, still be out playing and strumming away. I am blessed to fall asleep to a professional guitarist playing the night away.

Jack Richards, my fellow crew member, is the most respectable leader I've ever gotten to work with. Jack is from Lake Crystal, Minnesota, and is attending the University of Montana to obtain his degree in Environmental Microbiology. Jack graduated last spring and has now found himself excelling in this professional development program. Being that Jack is another one of the five people I surround myself with, I have seen tremendous growth from this young man. Specifically as a leader. I can pinpoint the exact hitch where Jack found the confidence within himself to lead us. Our trail maintenance hitch. On our hitch out into Idaho to do trail maintenance, we were going out with no prior knowledge or experience in trail work. But Jack took it upon himself to step up as the example to lead by. Jack put forward 100% of his effort. Jack came up with plans for us to execute and then actually lead us into execution. Jack was gaining our trust and our respect to lead us to success. I am grateful that he enforces the standards of the Montana Conservation Corps. This drive - to be the best at what we do and the most professional - gives all of us a certain edge. A trait that I feel has been instilled in me during my time here. I have been blessed.