For over four decades, sixth graders from area schools head to Savenac for Outdoor Education, and this year was no exception for students from Superior. They arrived at camp last Monday, for a week of fun and educational outdoor activities.

Students learned outdoor survival skills, lessons in land stewardship, and activities like kayaking, fishing, shooting sports, and more. Evenings were spent around campfires, and students stay in barracks that once provided shelter for forest service employees.

The Savenac Nursery was built shortly after the fires of 1910, and was instrumental in rebuilding the forests of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. During the height of production, the facility grew over 12 million seedlings a year. Now, the nursery serves as a memorial and educational tool for young people.

The weather proved to be a bit challenging with rains and cooler temperatures, but that didn’t curb the enthusiasm among the kids. They fished in the pond found on the property, which has about ten buildings remaining since it was first constructed. The nursery was first created in 1907, but the fire of 1910 destroyed it, along with over 3,000,000 acres including Mineral County. Where the towns of Haugen and De Borgia were completely destroyed. The fire burned for two days and resulted in the deaths of 87 people and is considered to be the largest forest fire in the history of the United States.

Now the facility is a place where generations of school kids learn about the outdoors and all the great recreational opportunities Montana has to offer.