THE SWAN RIVER STATE FOREST IS MANAGED BY HIGHLY QUALIFIED MONTANA STATE FORESTRY PERSONNEL WHILE THE YOUNG MEN FROM THE YOUTH CAMP PROVIDE THE WORK FORCE. ALTHOUGH THE YOUTH CAMP STAFF IS EMPLOYED BY THE CORRECTIONAL DIVISION OF THE MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF INSTITUTIONS AND THE FORESTRY PERSONNEL ARE EMPLOYED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, BOTH STAFFS COOPERATE IN RUNNING THE TOTAL PROGRAM. THE CREWS WORK A 40-HOUR WEEK WITH WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS OFF, AND PROVIDE AN IMPORTANT SERVICE TO THE STATE. HOWEVER, THE GUIDING INFLUENCE IS THE REHABILITATION OF THE YOUNG MEN INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM AND NOT TIMBER PRODUCTION FOR THE STATE. THE RESIDENTS DO NOT REMAIN IN THE PROGRAM LONG ENOUGH TO RECEIVE TRAINING IN A SKILL OR VOCATION, AS THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY IS 6 MONTHS; THE MAIN THRUST IS TO TRAIN FOR GOOD WORK HABITS, APTITUDES, AND TRAINING POTENTIAL. WHILE THEY DO NOT BECOME PROFESSIONAL FORESTORS, MANY CREW MEMBERS LEARN ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO SECURE EMPLOYMENT IN THE FEDERAL AND PRIVATE FORESTRY INDUSTRY. TIMBER MANAGEMENT AND FOREST STAND IMPROVEMENT ARE THE CORE OF THE WORK PROGRAM. EACH CREW MEMBER LEARNS ABOUT DESIRABLE SPECIES, PROPER SPACING, HEALTHY TREES, INSECT CONROL, REGROWTH, AND OTHER ASPECTS OF FORESTRY. FIRECREW TRAINING, CARPENTRY, AND MECHANICAL SKILLS ARE ALSO EMPHASIZED, AS ARE TRAIL AND ROAD MAINTENANCE AND BRIDGE REPAIR. EACH CREW MEMBER IS OBSERVED AS HE WORKS AND RECEIVES A DAILY SCORE OR GRADE IN SAFETY, EFFORT, CONDUCTS, AND PRODUCTION. THE COUNSELING STAFF AND SOCIAL WORKERS USE THESE SCORES IN DEVELOPING AND EVALUATING RELEASE PLANS WHICH MIGHT INCLUDE EMPLOYMENT OR FURTHER TRAINING IN AN AREA IN WHICH CREW MEMBERS HAVE DEMONSTRATED INTEREST AND APTITUDE. THE CORRECTIONS DIVISION COUNSELING PROGRAM IS CONDUCTED DURING THE LATE AFTERNOON AND EVENING HOURS WHEN INDIVIDUAL CASEWORK AND GROUP THERAPY TAKE PLACE IN A NATURAL AND REPETITIVE FORMAT WHICH PRODUCES MEANINGFUL AND POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS. AN EDUCATION PROGRAM IS ALSO CONDUCTED DURING THE EVENING HOURS: IT IS A NONSTRUCTURED, NONTHREATENING, WORK-AT-YOUR-OWN-PACE PROGRAM DESIGNED TO TAKE A STUDENT FROM HIS PRESENT EDUCATIONAL LEVEL TO WHATEVER LEVEL HIS DESIRE AND ABILITIES MAY LEAD HIM. A SURVIVAL SKILLS COURSE IS OFFERED, COVERING SUCH SUBJECTS AS JOB SEEKING, CHECKBOOK BALANCING, RENTING AN APARTMENT, INCOME BUDGETING, AND DRIVER EDUCATION. THE SERVICES OF AN ALCOHOL AND DRUG COUNSELOR AND A CHAPLAIN, AS WELL AS A RECREATIONAL PROGRAM, ARE ALSO AVAILABLE. (KBL)