RAPID CITY - Steve Price's grandfather taught him to appreciate the Black Hills. Now, Price hopes to instill that same appreciation in a new generation of kids.

Price has created the Norbeck Kids program, a club that encourages youth to hike in the Black Hills and learn about the environment around them.

"My grandfather was kind of my mentor as far as respecting the Hills," Price said.

Price's grandfather owned the grocery store and gas station in Rochford in the '30s and '40s. The two spent time in the Black Hills together and he taught Price to not only enjoy the Hills but to take care of it.

When Price returned home after several years away from the Black Hills, he was shocked to find that many of the places he and his grandfather had loved were destroyed. certain trails in the Black Hills National Forest.

"That's what really pulled my heart into this," Price said.

Price joined the Norbeck Society, a local group working to preserve and restore the Black Hills and surrounding areas. In general, the Norbeck Society is made up of adults and older members, Price said. He wanted to ensure that kids had a chance to make a difference in the future of the forest as well.

"I wanted to encourage the youth to get involved," he said.

To do that, Price created Norby the Ant and the Norbeck Kids Web site at www.norbeckkids.com.

Everyone between the ages of 1 and 18 can become a Norbeck Kid. All they have to do is spend one hour each month hiking in the Black Hills. If they see trash, they should pick it up and throw it away. When they end their adventure in the woods, they need to ensure that the area looks as good or better than when they arrived.

To advance their ranking as a Norbeck Kid, kids can earn points by identifying birds, plants, animals, bugs and rocks and logging them on a Norbeck Kids chart. They can earn even more points by including photos and hiking

By cataloging 10 points, kids will earn a Greenhorn rank and a magnifying glass from the Norbeck Kids program. Fifty points makes them a Tenderfoot and earns them a compass. To become an Apprentice, kids must accumulate 100 points, which will earn them an identification book. Two-hundred points earns the Steward ranking and a Norbeck Kids hat, and 500 points makes them an Ambassador and earns them a backpack.

Price wants kids to do more than just take a swift hike in the woods.

"When they go out, I want them to look around … from the smallest thing to the largest thing," he said. "It's making them pay attention to the little details."

Price hopes that by involving kids, he will entice their entire family as well. "It's basically a way to get families involved and it's also a way to encourage that lost gap that's happened when it comes to respect of the Hills," he said. "This is for the kids. This is for them to get excited."

Contact Lynn Taylor Rick at 394-8414 or lynn.taylorrick@rapidcityjournal.com.