I was just coming out of my first winter in Republic. It had been an epic one: forty-five days of cross-country skiing! Before that, I think my record for one season was less than five days on the planks. I had put on some upper-body mass and was feeling pretty strong and fit.

Come June, I was ready for a big mountain bike adventure to say "welcome" to summer. I had learned about the Kettle Crest Trail before I moved to Ferry County and I figured that was going to have to be one of my first goals.

When you consider the activities of the U.S. Forest Service as it cultivates and manages our national resources, you probably think of its expertise in fighting fires, maintaining trails, or raising timber. But away in the northeast corner of Washington State, about five miles south of the U.S.-Canadian border, a rather extraordinary Forest Service installation helps develop an even more valuable resource: our nation's youth.

Its remote location and itinerant population make it easy to develop false assumptions about the Curlew Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center. But the truth is that thousands of our nation's young people have gained immeasurably from their vocational training over the years, and in return have made important contributions to our community. These are some of our amazing kids too.