INTRO TO PACKRAFTING ADVENTURE
6 days intro-level whitewater packrafting (lightweight inflatable kayaks) on one of Montana’s waterways.
Dates: June 21-26, 2025
Age: 14-16
Group size: max 10 students/3 instructors
Length: 6 Days
Tuition: $2,110 (75% of Montana students receive a partial to full scholarship)
Course Highlights
Fundamental outdoor skills for traveling in remote environments
Packraft (inflatable kayak) skills
Swiftwater rescue techniques
River navigation skills
Adventurous backcountry paddling experiences on exciting whitewater
Wilderness decision-making and communication skills
Pristine ecosystems, huge river beaches, and natural hot springs
Course Description
Introduction to Packrafting Adventure (IPA) is an entry level, 6-day course for 14 to 16 year olds interested in learning the basics of packrafting and navigating swiftwater. Students will travel in a small group down a wild and remote stretch of river, developing skills in backcountry wilderness travel, paddling, cooking, communication, and decision-making.
While on expedition, students will learn and practice Leave No Trace® camping principles, learn about local ecology, and engage with land history lessons and curriculum. This remarkable outdoor classroom takes students through a striking river corridor with rare and beautiful volcanic rock formations found nowhere else in the state! Technical paddling skills taught will include: reading moving water, on-water communication, hazard assessment, and partner and self-rescue techniques. Each student will have an opportunity to lead the group as the Expedition Leader of the Day to gain experience with newly acquired leadership skills.
The IPA course is specifically designed to help students gain the necessary skills and confidence to explore more challenging whitewater travel in the future.
For more information about MWS core curriculum and expedition progression, check out Expedition Life.
If you have additional questions please check out our FAQ page or reach out to contact us.
Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes
TEAMWORK AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Learn positive communication skills with diverse group members to create a healthy community, build trust, and make sound decisions in the backcountry together
Develop an expedition philosophy, apply it to the course, and understand how it can transfer back to the student’s home environment
SAFETY AND WILDERNESS BASED DECISION MAKING
Backcountry hazard evaluation and risk reduction guidelines and tools
First aid awareness for backcountry settings: identification and treatment of common backcountry illness and injuries
Learn to collaboratively make decisions in remote environments that prioritize individual and group safety
CONSERVATION ETHIC
Use basic observational and interpretive skills to demonstrate an understanding and respect for the natural environment
Discuss the history, facts and potential solutions to pertinent environmental and social issues affecting the wilderness in the expedition area
Reflect upon and discuss the conveyance of wilderness conservation ethics into personal life and build a capacity for commitment and stewardship to wild places
Develop comprehensive understanding of Leave No Trace® ethics and apply them during the expedition
BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING AND NAVIGATION SKILLS
Use safe backcountry kitchen practices to cook nutritious meals on a camp stove or fire
Demonstrate an ability to select an appropriate campsite and set up a shelter while minimizing the impact on the ecosystem
Understand and demonstrate how to stay healthy, warm, and comfortable in the backcountry
Understand and demonstrate techniques for camping and traveling in bear habitat
Use various navigation and route-finding tools and methods for on and off trail travel
Travel efficiently in the alpine environment using map and compass skills
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Packrafting
Inflating, deflating, packing and securing equipment in an inflatable packraft
Reading water and understanding hydraulics in swift moving water
Swift water rescue skills
Packraft control and paddling skills in swift moving water and rapids
"I feel that the opportunity that MWS allows for teens is vital for their growth. Learning to trust themselves, working together, and accomplishing goals, as a team and individually, helps to build self-esteem and increase self-worth."
— Parent of 2022 MWS Participant
