Grand Teton's Youth Conservation Program started week six of their summer season performing critical maintenance to the historic Taggart Barn at the Taggart Lake corrals. Because it is a historic structure, only hand tools and certain products can be used to preserve the barn. The crew utilized good old fashioned elbow grease and brushes to clean the barn, which is used by Grand Teton's horse packers, in preparation for applying linseed oil to the logs as a preservative. The crew returned on Thursday to apply the linseed oil, providing the historic structure necessary protection against Grand Teton's harsh winters and hot summers.
In the middle of the week the crew had the opportunity to participate in the annual ranger olympics with the Jenny Lake Rangers. YCP members go through a series of educational stations throughout the morning including traversing the climbing wall, playing tug of war using mechanical advantage rope systems, practicing splinting injured legs and arms, and loading and operating the Jenny Lakers' wheeled litter to transport patients. They finished the morning enjoying hamburgers and watermelon with the rangers and learning about helicopter short haul operations. Ranger day is always a big hit with YCP!
Special thanks to the Jenny Lake Rangers for taking time from their busy summer schedule to educate and feed this year's YCP crew!