Gartside Reservoir Fishing Access Site near Sidney is a whole lot safer this summer, thanks to the Richland Aces 4-H Club.
Recently the youths came up with the idea to create a Life Jacket Loaner Station at the reservoir. They worked with several parties, including Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, and did the work to erect an attractive, durable life jacket station that is already catching on.
"It's really exciting," said one of the group leaders, Erika Snow of Crane. "We've been out checking on them, and people seem to be using them."
Facebook posts have underscored the need for a lifejacket loaner station, and community members have praised the idea and expressed gratitude.
Snow agreed to discuss the project, but she stressed, "This is about the kids."
Her son, James, is one of the group members. They have about 14 youths, ranging in ages from 8-18, and two other group leaders, Laura Scheiber and Kristen Larson. Some of the teens have been in the club together since they were about 8.
"We like to do community service projects, and this was something we've talked about," Snow said. "We've all been at Gartside and seen kids without life jackets, and it makes you kind of nervous."
The group has a meeting at Gartside every year, so there is a connection.
"The kids are excited about it," Snow said. "We talked about it and discussed that some life jackets might get stolen, but if someone needs one that bad, it's something we can replace."
The adults told them they may not know it, but they could be saving a life out there.
"It's really going to make a difference, instead of donating money or working concessions," Snow said. "We have lots of great projects, but this one just felt more personal," she said.
Once the kids decided on the project, they applied for and got a community service grant.
Snow reached out to FWP for guidance on how to proceed and got connected with Kylie Kembel in Helena, who oversees boating and water safety. Kembel provided signage and life jackets for the station. FWP regional recreation manager Garrett Jericoff stepped in to help, approving the structure and delivering signs and life jackets to Snow. FWP maintenance staff installed two support posts at Gartside for the station.
Snow said the kids put a lot of thought into choosing a design for the station, settling on a model with a roof and pegs to hang life jackets, and leaving it open so the jackets can dry between uses.
A couple of the fathers helped shop for materials, and the kids did the construction. The station was sturdy enough to weather a strong wind storm that came through soon after it was built.
"We've been checking on it, and we've definitely seen people using the life jackets and they're returning them," Snow said.
Her family lives just a mile from Gartside and spends a fair amount of time there.
"James and I will do a lot of the checking," she said. "There's a little money left over if we need to make repairs or replace jackets, and Garrett said FWP can provide replacement jackets, too."
"We would like to thank Garrett and Kylie for their help in getting it going," she added.
Recreationists are reminded that life jackets are essential for keeping you afloat if you fall into the water, especially in cold or fast-moving streams, rivers and lakes. Even strong swimmers can be at risk of drowning without one. U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets must be readily available for each person onboard a boat. Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket on a moving watercraft.
FWP's Life Jacket Loaner Program offers certified loaner life jackets at several parks and access sites around the state and has limited funding available to assist community groups in establishing their own Life Jacket Loaner Station. For more information, contact Kylie Kembel at kylie.kembel@mt.gov.