Happy Friday, Beacon readers! Lauren Frick here, back from a little bit of a Daily Roundup hiatus. After 10 days, eight flights, three European countries, 88 miles walked and infinite tapas, I’ve made my return to the Flathead Valley (and thankfully to some beautiful weather as well).
In my opinion, there’s few things better than traveling — from hearing a language you can’t quite decipher in passing, to seeing beautiful architecture you’ve only seen on your tiny pocket computer, to befriending someone from a country you maybe couldn’t even point out on a map. The best part of it all, however, is that you don’t even have to cross an ocean to indulge in the joy of seeing and learning something new.
For those of you looking for a new experience right in your backyard this summer, the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation (BMWF) earlier this week announced its inaugural Wilderness 101 Family Campout, which will take place June 26-28.
The educational weekend event is designed to help families build confidence, skills and connection in the great outdoors. Hosted in a comfortable front-country setting, the campout offers an accessible introduction to exploring the iconic Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.
The Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, affectionately known as “The Bob,” is located in northwest Montana and is the third-largest Wilderness in the lower 48. The Bob Complex comprises more than 1.5 million acres of untrammeled wilderness that stretches from Glacier National Park in the north, to Rogers Pass to the south in the Northern Rockies of Montana.
The family friendly experience invites participants of all backgrounds and experience levels to enjoy hands-on learning and outdoor fun in a welcoming community. Whether you’re brand new to camping or looking to expand your outdoor knowledge, the Wilderness 101 Family Campout provides a supportive environment to learn and explore.
“Montana has such an incredible wealth of wild lands that our kids are lucky to grow up with,” BMWF program director Rebecca Powell said. “We wanted to provide an opportunity for people to get more comfortable and confident enjoying places like the Bob with their kids in tow.”
Organizers said families of all kinds are encouraged to apply — traditional, chosen, multi-generational and everything in between. The event is open to participants age 6 and up. The campout will take place at the Monture Guard Station in the foothills of the Bob near Ovando.
Throughout the weekend, experienced instructors will lead workshops and interactive stations covering essential wilderness skills, including:
Leave No Trace (LNT): Learn the Seven Principles to help protect natural spaces
Planning & Preparation: Gain practical skills for packing, navigation, and safety
Flora and Fauna: Discover the plants and wildlife that call “The Bob” home
Pack Stock 101: Explore the role of horses and mules in wilderness stewardship
History and Values: Understand the heritage and importance of wilderness preservation
BMWF will provide all meals for the weekend, starting with dinner on Friday through lunch on Sunday. Group camping gear, including cooking supplies, water filtration, and safety equipment, is also provided.
Participants are responsible for personal camping gear, with a full packing list provided upon registration. A gear library is available, and camping equipment (tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads) can be provided for participants who need it. Scholarships are also available to ensure access for all families.
The weekend is free for families to attend but requires a $100 refundable deposit per family (up to six people) to secure your spot. Space is limited and families are encouraged to apply early, organizers said.
Well, I’m off now to enjoy this beautiful, sun-filled Friday — I hope the same is true for you (after you check out the rest of today’s Daily Roundup, of course).
Foys to Blacktail Conservation Project Protects 1,131-acre Parcel Next to Herron Park
The newly conserved property includes 12 miles of existing forest roads and trails, including the ridgetop trail connecting Herron Park to Blacktail Mountain
Whitefish City Council Edits Growth Policy After State Senator Raises Legal Concerns
While the city council adjusted the document to appease what the legislator deemed “legal deficiencies,” councilors pledged to “take a stand” against the state’s control over city planning
WCC is pleased to bring MOMIX: ALICE to the Flathead Valley. ALICE is a performance by MOMIX, a dance company known for illusion and acrobatics, inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.
This performance shares the beauty, youth and artistry of African culture. The audience will see acrobats execute gravity-defying moves and human pyramids, accompanied by the contemporary sounds of live Afro-Jazz, percussion, and kora.
Led by an unmistakable vocalist and bringing a Texas-rock edge to modern country, the never-changing lineup of Mike Eli, James Young, Jon Jones, and Chris Thompson have spent two-plus decades on the run, growing from hometown heroes into globe-trotting, chart-topping pioneers.
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