Youth to Yellowstone of Ripley County, Inc. has announced it has recently received new communications radios due to a grant from Ripley County Communication Foundation. Jim Waldo, board Vice President of the nonprofit organization noted; “Our trips to Yellowstone, the Tetons, and South Dakota Badlands take us to remote locations where cell phones are unreliable. These radios will enable us to stay in touch with each other. They will help us maintain our high level of safety and enable us to make the adventure more enjoyable for the students.”
Youth to Yellowstone of Ripley County take local young people, who may never otherwise have that special experience, to explore and learn about Yellowstone National Park and other western treasures.
Students and volunteers spend 12 days together, traveling to and from the west, and camping in Yellowstone for eight days during the summer. Ripley County, and its sister Decatur County organization, travel each year with different students for three consecutive trips. Some of the volunteers stay in Yellowstone for all three trips working with the students.
Each student chosen must write an essay describing why they would like to go and what it would mean to them. Although the focus is not an “educational” trip, students learn to use cameras and take photographs, interview park employees and other park visitors, and learn a tremendous amount about the park’s geological history as well as about the animals that dwell there.
“The students’ trips are entirely financed, through donations, fundraisers, and grants.” Waldo noted, “That is why receiving grants from the community means so much to us.”
Those interested in getting involved can call Jim Waldo at 937-239-3937, Bill Riley at 812-621-1965, or email the organization at Y2Y@YouthToYellowstone.ORG .