Barbara Taylor
No celebration of the life of Walkin’ Jim
Stoltz, who passed away last year, would
be complete without a nod to the famed
singer/songwriter and environmentalist’s
strong commitment to children.
“Jim knew kids were natural caretakers
of the environment,” said Leslie Stoltz,
Jim’s wife of 20 years and longtime
friend. “He worried about how many
kids were not getting the experiences he
had as a child of exploring the outdoors.”
Jim sang at Lone Mountain Ranch
sleigh rides and appeared at dozens of
schools (including Ophir) each year.
His popular children songs are collected
on his best-selling Kid for the Wild
and Web of Life albums.
In honor of Jim’s commitment to kids,
Leslie Stoltz and MUSE (the nonprofit
Musicians United to Sustain the
Environment) have established the Kid
for the Wild Scholarship. Two $750
scholarships will be awarded annually
to help children age 12 to 17 further
their understanding and advocacy
for the natural world. Although the
scholarship is not limited to local kids,
preference is given to children residing
in Montana, and to kids who have demonstrated
a commitment to and interest
in the environment.
To help further the scholarship, Camp
Big Sky will donate proceeds from their
Kid for the Wild camp (Aug. 15 -19) to
the fund. The camp will feature nature
crafts and activities and will also have
professional singers on hand to teach
Jim’s songs. The campers will perform
on stage at the Forever Wild concert
Aug. 20 on the Town Center Stage.
To enroll your child in this fast-filling
camp, contact Katie Coleman at Camp
Big Sky (209-1643).
To donate or find out more about the
Kid for the Wild scholarship, contact
musemusic.org.
