Aservice project to help construct a national forest campground near here became a "high adventure" for 45 Varsity Scouts and Explorers, who proved that young men can have a meaningful experience without spending a lot of money.

Wynn H. Hubrich, Young Men president in the Missoula Montana Stake, said the young men - who ranged in age from 14 to 18 - and 28 adult leaders completed a $40,000 campground project last summer at the Kreis Pond in the Nine-mile Ranger District of Lolo National Forest.The project was recognized by the U.S. Forest Service, which gave a national Partnership Award to the stake's Varsity Scout teams on Jan. 24. The award was presented in Washington D.C. at the Chief and Regional Foresters and Directors Winter Meeting.

Montana Gov. Stan Stephens sent Pres. Little a letter of commendation and has recommended the project for a Presidential Award.

The Varsity Scouts and Explorers installed eight heavy-plank picnic tables, fire circles, tent pads, parking spurs, a picnic area, two restrooms, a section of access road, and a mile of trail.

"This beehive of activity resulted from four months of planning, prefabrication work and the development of a partnership between the Boy Scouts of America, the Church and the Lolo National Forest," Hubrich said. "This was a total-donation partnership except for design, administration and some materials provided by the U.S. Forest Service."

He said that nearly 100 youths and 50 adults had been actively involved in various phases of the prefabrication and on-site construction.

The Frenchtown (Mont.) Ward has "adopted" the campground for future maintenance, Hubrich added.

The project began when Hubrich and his associates notified the Forest Service that they were willing to make a volunteer work force available for public service. The Forest Service gave the Scout units three options. They selected the Kreis Pond project.

"In order to involve the community in our effort and seek needed support we turned to a few business owners," Hubrich explained. "Three of us contacted 47 businesses for donations of supplies, equipment, building materials, services, financial contributions and food with which to feed the crews."

Of the 47 businesses contacted, 45 contributed, he said.

The evening of the service project, the Scouts and Scouters ate a campfire meal and attended a spiritual fireside. Stake Pres. Eldon Lee Little spoke on five events from Church history that reinforced understanding of the truthfulness of the gospel, the Restoration and the divinity of Christ, Hubrich said.

With the work done, the next day the young men and their leaders hiked to the summit of Squaw Peak, then went to the Frenchtown Ward meetinghouse for pizza and watermelon, and in the evening, attended a dance with the Young Women of the stake.

"The two-day event embraced all the important elements needful in a major youth activity," Hubrich commented. "Fulfillment came from association between youths and good adult leaders, spiritual instruction and testimony building, goal setting and achievement, physical exertion and exhaustion, training and application, and meaningful or lasting service - along with blisters - in the spirit of the pure love of Christ. It was all there and done without much financial cost to any of our youths. All food for five meals was donated by several grocery stores. We had more than they could possibly eat!"

Lyle B. Gomm, a counselor in the stake Young Men presidency and a district Varsity Scout commissioner, said the experience could be emulated by other Scouting units.

Gomm, a Forest Service official, said district ranger's offices are located throughout the Western United States, and the closeness to the community makes it easy for citizens to render voluntary service.