Lincoln County's Camp Patriot receives Governor’s Award

Micah Clark, founder and executive director of Camp Patriot Corp, received the Governor’s Award from Gov. Greg Gianforte and Montana’s First Lady Mrs. Gianforte, during a recent ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda. 

The award recognizes Clark’s dedicated work supporting disabled veterans and first responders while injured in the line of duty.

Camp Patriot’s mission and early years

Clark founded Camp Patriot in 2005 to provide outdoor adventure opportunities for veterans and first responders living with disabilities. During its first seven years, the organization led climbs on Mount Rainier with soldiers, sailors and airmen who had been injured while serving in the U.S. military. Camp Patriot's goal is to thank them for their service and to share Jesus Christ during the adventures.

Over the years, Camp Patriot has taken veterans and first responders from across the country on a wide range of outdoor adventures throughout the United States.

Growth of Camp Patriot Ranch

In October 2014, Camp Patriot purchased a 90-acre ranch in the Yaak River Valley of northwest Montana. The property included two lodges and several outbuildings. 

Since then, the organization has expanded the ranch with a large lodge that is Americans with Disabilities Act compliant, a medical building, a covered garage, several shooting ranges and a 1,600-foot runway. 

"We can sleep 15 folks comfortably now," Clark told The Western News. "And our third lodge is half way done, so we will be able to have enough beds to sleep up to 30 folks. But we typically keep the groups at 3 to 5 for much more personal time spent."

Clark said Camp Patriot also started its “homesteading” program where vets learn:

- Blacksmithing, food preservation (canning/picking and freeze drying), basic log cabin building, gardening and orchards as well as other homesteading skills.

Year-Round Adventures

Camp Patriot Ranch operates year-round and offers activities designed to help guests experience Montana’s outdoors in an accessible and supportive setting.

· ATV rides

· Fly-fishing classes and floats on the Kootenai River

· Snowmobiling

· Ice fishing on Vinal Lake in the Yaak

· On-site rifle and pistol ranges

· Archery

· Hunting trips as available

Learn More

For more information about Camp Patriot, visit www.camppatriot.org.