Montana Lil's Highlights
An introduction to all things “Alpengirl” -- camping, wilderness, friends. A fit for the blossoming adventuress!
Dates
Jun 22 - Jun 29, 2024Ages
11-12 (rising 6th-7th)Tuition
$1845 (airfare not incl.)Destination
MontanaStatus
Open- Learn to tent camp
- Backpacking and hiking
- Swim in a high mountain lake
- Cavern exploration and tour
- Soak in a natural hot spring pool
- Make new and lasting friends
- Outdoor skills and campfire
- Introduction to SW Montana
Our daughter, Maia participated in the Alpengirl program and really enjoyed the experience. She is thirteen and this was her first time with Alpengirl at the Montana Horse camp which was a two-week session. We sent her in order to experience camaraderie amongst girls her age in ...
Trip Description
A 1-week summer adventure camp in Montana for pre-teens age 11 & 12
Outgoing and energetic, the Montana Lil’s campers are excited to find their inner adventuress!
This camp is a one-week introduction to all things Alpengirl, including outdoor camp cooking, campfire building, daily yoga, Alpenolympic games, road-side dance parties, camp skills and beads, and, of course, making lots of new friends.
During this camp, Alpengirls will have a blast hiking, swimming, and backpacking, while embracing their independence away from home, many for the very first time. The goal of these 8 days is to get comfortable being at an overnight adventure camp, while packing the days full of tons of fun activities!
This introductory camp is offered to our youngest campers who want to try it out and come back for more next year!
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Alpengirl!
Arriving at Bozeman-Yellowstone International Airport, your Alpenguides will be decked out in their most stylish Alpenwear to greet you. Icebreakers and name games abound as you get to know your fellow Alpengirls and guides. We’ll hop into the van and drive a short distance to our campsite, where we’ll learn how to set up our tents and enjoy a delicious and fresh camp dinner. As the sun sinks below the horizon, you’ll feel calm as the sound of the wind rustling through the tall grass soothes you to sleep.
Day 2: To the caverns!
Rise and shine, Alpengirls! After a soothing yoga session, we’ll break out our Alpengirl Camp Cookbook and whip up a yummy breakfast – perhaps Strawberry Stuffed French Toast or Apples and Oats Pancakes (YUM!). We’ll put on our hiking boots and set out on a 2-mile hike through the Lewis & Clark Caverns with park guides to explore the wonders of the nearby caves that are situated right behind our campsite.
Tonight, your Alpenguides will show you the basics of safe fire building, and give Alpengirls the opportunity to build a campfire on their own to cook a meal over. And what campfire is complete without our favorite Alpentreat – s’mores!
Days 3-6: Backpacking time!
Lace up your hiking boots and roll up your sleeping pads, because today is the day that we start our backpacking expedition! Before we leave, Alpenguides will walk campers through proper packing procedures and give a lesson on how to adjust and carry our backpacks. Lightening our loads and taking only the essentials, we’ll leave the van behind, grab our cameras, and begin our 12-mile round-trip backpack adventure.
On the first day, Alpengirls will begin by hiking one mile to get used to their packs and comfortable on the trail. Reaching a pristine high mountain lake on the second day, we’ll set up camp here for two nights, giving us the chance to day-hike to an abandoned mine, a high ridge, or another lake hidden amongst the peaks. Our last night in the backcountry is the perfect time for our classic Alpenolympic Talent Show, so get creative and be ready to have fun!
On the final day of backpacking, we’ll enjoy a downhill hike out to the trailhead and camp along the banks of a nearby river.
Day 7: Splash time!
After a deluxe hot breakfast and leisurely start to the day, Alpengirls head for a swim in the river and a soak in a mineral hot springs pool. Then, we’ll enjoy pizzas or calzones, have an opportunity to buy Alpengirl items from the camp store, and participate in our traditional End of Session Awards ceremony.
Day 8: It’s time to go home!
Exchanging hugs with your friends, you’ll depart from Bozeman-Yellowstone International Airport knowing that you are now an official Alpengirl and will be a part of our fantastic community for life. See you next summer!
PLEASE NOTE: Alpengirl reserves the right to cancel or alter any aspect of a program, before or during the session, including program itinerary, activities, or location for reasons including but not limited to weather, environment, logistics, or health hazards. If itinerary changes occur, we will substitute comparable alternatives, if possible. If there are significant itinerary changes, parents will be notified by email.
Trip Campsites & Amenities
Four nights are spent in tents in public “front country” campgrounds where we have pre-assigned campsites with neighbors and campground hosts nearby, running potable water, and private outhouses or flushing toilets.
Three nights are spent in tents in wilderness “backcountry” areas where we will purify our water before drinking and learn to practice basic Leave No Trace camping skills such as how to select a campsite, how to go to the bathroom, and how to keep clean outdoors.
Why Choose This Trip
Our Montana Lil’s camp sessions are just for rising 6th and 7th graders! Attending this camp is a great way to introduce pre-teens to the experience of outdoor living and backpacking during a week of action-packed fun. Montana Lil’s will be challenged to experience new things while having the time of their lives with a great group of girls and guides. Limited to 12 campers in the group.
Trying to figure out if a Lil’s Adventure is right for you? Read more: Lil's Adventure Camps ~ Where Alpengirls Take Root!
