Personal Reflection - Kat Gimino

I applied for the Montana Conservation Corps. I don't know what possessed me to do it. It was a difficult and frustrating time in my life where everything seemed to go wrong and nothing happened as planned. But often times, we don't plan the experiences of our lives that turn out to be exactly what we need to realize our true potential. The position started in one week, and acceptance seemed like an impossible dream. I was surfing the internet one night, trying desperately to find a way to fix the broken record that had become my life, a constant repetition of the same negative behaviors and attitudes that held my progress in absolute stagnation. Although I had excelled in academics and extra-curricular activities during high school, I encountered some unfortunate and trying times following graduation. After being diagnosed "bipolar" during my senior year, my life had been in a steady downward spiral that resulted in heavy medications, unhealthy eating and lifestyle habits, a codependent relationship, and severe depression. I applied because I had nothing to lose, never anticipating that this single spontaneous act would transform my entire life as I knew it.

When the Bozeman office of Montana Conservation Corps called to set up an interview, it was a complete shock to me. The resulting job offer lead me on an impromptu two thousand mile adventure across the country to face the unknown. Days later, I found myself at Camp Paxon near beautiful Seeley Lake, Montana. Working and living with a small crew was one of the most challenging experiences of my life. I had never even camped before, and now I was living outside for ten days at a time doing strenuous trail work with a bunch of strangers in the middle of nowhere. At first, I wasn't sure I could make it, but I wouldn't let myself quit. With quiet determination, I went above and beyond all expectations and persevered in the wildest ways. Not only did I find myself adoring trail work and living outside, but my entire perspective on life and the world in general was beginning to morph. I was encountering people, experiences, books and ideology that were opening my eyes to a different way of living.

Being outside in the remote wilderness brought me to value our natural environment in inconceivable ways I had never even considered plausible. Working hard, developing healthy relationships with my crewmembers, and enjoying quiet time in the pristine wilderness of Montana brought true joy to my existence. Life seemed so miraculous and substantial, and the magnificent beauty of our untouched world took my breath away every single day. Butterflies flying free through pastures of wildflowers in every hue and picturesque snow-capped mountains displayed before a backdrop of seemingly endless vast blue sky are moments forever etched in my mind, each displaying a magic and artistry that could only come from nature.

I no longer lived my life as a means to an end, each day only one step of a ladder that would eventually lead me to happiness. After all, happiness can only be experienced in the present moment. It was so liberating to finally realize that I could do anything with my life, be anyone, and accomplish any goal I set my mind to. I was no longer a slave to the cultural American philosophy of "more is better." Instead, I focused on aligning my actions with my deepest values.

As my months in Montana passed, I began to realize that my greatest aspiration was to help create and design a more sustainable way of life that would not devastate our natural resources and the environment. I was inspired by the sense of community I found in Bozeman, so unlike anything I had ever experienced before. Innovative changes had come about from ordinary people with shared values coming together and initiating positive change within the city. It gave me hope that advancing toward a sustainable future for America was not just a pipe dream, but a real and necessary possibility. I began to educate myself on conscious-consumerism, renewable energy, and "green" lifestyle choices that would help reduce my ecological impact. I incorporated these practices into my daily life: becoming a vegetarian, finding creative ways to reduce my waste, recycling, and buying non-toxic, local, and organic products whenever possible. If not for the Montana Conservation Corps, I never would have discovered this new found passion.

My experience with MCC was so paramount I participated again in 2009, this time as a Youth Crew Leader in Kalispell. Again, the program helped me to expand my repertoire of skill sets, especially in leadership, organization, communication, and creative problem solving. During this time, I became committed to becoming an engaged citizen and staying active within the community. Teaching the members of my youth crews about environmental stewardship helped me recognize the need to spread awareness about sustainability to the general public. I am no longer afraid to voice my opinion and encourage others to participate in their local communities and make small lifestyle changes that yield a significant ecological impact. I am willing to take risks and do whatever it may take to create the future that I envision for myself and the world at large.

It's been less than two years since that pivotal evening of late night net-surfing back in 2008, but somehow I feel like a completely new person. I have created a healthy and holistic lifestyle for myself that is extremely fulfilling, developed exciting new skills, and finally realized my career goals and ambitions. The leadership and communication skills I acquired are helping me to become involved in my local hometown community. Our city is in dire need of bike lanes that will provide safer commute for cyclers, therefore I am rallying to expand awareness about the benefits of bike lanes so that the city may be persuaded to take action on this issue. I’m also hoping to get involved with “Girls on the Run”, a program for middle school aged girls that inspires healthy body image and lifestyle choices by helping young girls train for a 5k race. My experience working with youth crews will be especially helpful in coaching these girls and motivating them to make better decisions regarding health, self-esteem, and self-confidence. In addition, I’ve also decided to further test my own physical limits by training to run a full marathon in 2010. I am looking forward to attending the University of Montana in Missoula beginning in Spring 2010, where I plan on majoring in Environmental Studies with a focus in Sustainability. My ultimate career goal involves working with communities and helping inform people about the ecological and economic benefits of buying and supporting local agriculture, business, and community-based projects that encourage healthy lifestyle choices. Eventually, I would love to get involved with the Peace Corps and continue my service experience helping the world’s poorest people overseas create a better life. My goal is to learn as much as I can so that I may be better equipped to initiate positive change toward a more sustainable future. I attribute and link many of these skills and ambitions to my involvement with the Montana Conservation Corps, and I will always be grateful for the opportunities that have revealed themselves after making that one simple decision to join. Looking back, I never even had to fix the broken record that was my life; I only had to make the decision to play a fresh new one.



-Kat

1st Hitch - Kirsten Vorreyer, Western Wildlands

What did I get myself into!? Oh the rain - no wait snow - this is summer!? I didn't sign up for this! Transformation however necessary is rarely easy and the first hitch was no exception. The first night was so cold, Amanda and I stood under a tarp holding the big dinner pot sucking the last bits of heat out of it in a kind of survival mode desperation. It was a bit dramatic but she is from Florida and I haven't been camping in awhile. After that I ran to my tent and in a fetal like position sandwiched myself into my sleeping bag all the while chanting the mantra, ―what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Looks like there would be chanting after all.

The next day I woke to a damp fog and started rolling barbwire fence with my crew. There we were in the clouds making tight wire wreaths all with surprisingly high spirits. It was beautiful. The sun lifted that afternoon and dried me out so completely the rain seemed like a distant dream. It felt so refreshing to be doing something that mattered. With each wreath I rolled I pictured the animals running free and I felt a relief in myself.

Being surrounded by so much beauty and so much space lets one see beyond the rat race of traffic, shopping, standing in lines. Those daily frustrating parts of city life can‘t touch you out in the sanctuary of the woods. Out here if you forget to pack underwear (hypothetically speaking – well not really) you just deal with it you don‘t have to endure the hell of Reserve Street. Frankly I think I would rather wear dirty underwear then go out there anytime soon. Life is simple out here - you have less cloths and less choices. In the evenings your options are basically reading, stretching, sitting, eating, and sleeping. Oh and of course hanging out with the crew whom I must say I am becoming increasingly fond of.

Scary Start Awesome Finish - Brian Dahme

When October started with our planned planting hitch at the Continental Divide being canceled due to snow (inconceivable!), my hopes, and I am sure that I was not alone, were not high. It was to be the last of our season’s worth of hitches and while it was just planting, we all started out hoping for the best. I think that soon, however, all we were really planting were seeds of discontent.

All of our planting took place in the most unlikely of areas, which included planting shrubs in a landslide area. Three-quarters of the 6400 shrubs were put in the ground over the next two days, but with our efforts came the cold, the same cold that produced record lows for the area.

The cold brought along random tasks such as chopping wood for eight hours at the ranger station (which several of us, including me, enjoyed because it was actual work and kept us warm) and moving a small pile of garbage to a larger pile of garbage. I think that the cold, rain, snow, and time of season all began to wear on us.

The next week, however, brought about a change for the better. We were now tasked with pulling tread at Lone Pine State Park. I think that we all enjoyed this for the most part, although the snow at night would make our jobs a little more difficult in telling where the trail would lead, but in the end, it did not matter. We were outside, in the woods, working, and staying warm – what else did we really need?

The final two weeks of October brought weatherization to the Northern Rockies. I, along with everyone else, was unsure of what to expect at first, but we all realized soon how much fun we were going to have.


We were all welcomed by the Housing Authority with open arms and given a dinner of stew and fry bread. I do not remember the last time that I have felt that full after a meal and that includes having to eat six tacos one night at Piper Creek. This time though, I did not regret my meal.

Staying in Polson on the Flathead Indian Reservation was tremendous. I honestly have to say that the entire two week period of weatherization was awesome and maybe some of the most fun that I have had all year. Getting to spend the end of your year in a resort with a pool, hot tub, and for some of us, cable TV are all pretty great ways to end your season.