Each expedition has a specific clothing list and footwear descriptions that will be provided to you. You will need to bring personal clothing, a few toiletries, and footwear, but you do NOT need to bring camping gear (sleeping bags, stoves, or backpacks). If you already own camping gear and would prefer to use it for your course, please check your packing lists as to what is appropriate. On the course start day we will be going through your packs and the gear before starting the expedition to ensure that everyone is equipped properly.

If arriving by car, MWS will send you directions to the meet-up site for the morning of the course start.

If arriving by air, you will want to book your flight to and from Bozeman-Yellowstone International Airport.

• We ask that you try to book your arrival for the day of the course start if at all possible. You will receive an email with course start and end information once enrolled in your expedition so that you can plan accordingly.

• If your only option for arrival is a day prior to start, please reach out to the admissions team at enroll@montanawildernessschool.org to discuss arrival and departure options as well as overnight lodging.

• The timing for a return flight is dependent on the course end. MWS will provide you specific information regarding the earliest time you can book the flight for the course end day.

If your student is traveling unaccompanied, MWS will provide shuttle service from and to the airport. Please note that most airlines offer/require that you purchase an unaccompanied minor service that ensures that your child is boarded onto the aircraft, chaperoned during connections, and turned over to MWS staff upon arrival to Bozeman. Each airline has their own policies, rates, and services so please check with your specific airline. If you do purchase the provision you will need to provide the airline with the name and phone number of the MWS staff member who is picking up the student. Please be sure to communicate flight information to enroll@montanawildernessschool.org and we will provide the pick-up information.

If an unavoidable travel delay occurs, every effort will be made to get the delayed student on the course. Please call MWS as soon as possible so that we can adjust our pick-up plans. Under no circumstances will we leave for the expedition without accounting for every student expected, and will call the family if a student is not accounted for.

In the event that a student requires an overnight stay, please contact MWS prior to booking the flight to discuss a solution. We do not typically offer supervision prior to the course start but understand the difficulty in travel plans and will address each situation case by case.

There are many lodging options available in Bozeman, we are providing a few here. Please note that due to summer tourism, both flight and accommodation bookings fill quickly! We highly encourage you to make travel plans as soon as possible. Also note that most hotels will not allow a minor to stay unaccompanied.

• The Element provides a free shuttle service from the airport; it needs to be booked 24hrs in advance. The Element DOES allow a minor to stay unaccompanied in their hotel as long as the parent/legal guardian makes the reservation for the minor. This hotel is located downtown and is close to the Co-op grocery store.

The Element
25 E Mendenhall Street, Bozeman, MT 59718 |
Phone: 406-582-4972
Hotel Reservations: 877-782-0151

• Days Inn & Suites offers a 10% discount for MWS students and families; be sure to ask when booking the room. Days Inn provides a free shuttle service; it needs to be booked 24hrs in advance. Please note that the Days Inn & Suites DOES NOT allow a minor to stay unaccompanied. A parent/guardian would need to accompany the student. This hotel is located near the interstate.

Days Inn & Suites
1321 N 7th Ave, Bozeman, MT 59715
Phone: 406-587-5251

• The Lewis & Clark Motel offers a 15% discount for MWS students and families; be sure to ask when booking the room. The Lewis & Clark Motel provides a shuttle service from the airport; however, it costs $25 and needs to be booked 24hrs in advance. The Lewis & Clark Motel DOES NOT allow a minor to stay unaccompanied. A parent/guardian would need to accompany the student. This motel is located downtown and is close to the Co-op grocery store.

The Lewis & Clark Motel
824 W Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715
Phone: 406-586-3441

Public transportation from the airport is limited in Bozeman. On the course start day, MWS will offer a shuttle from the airport to the course start location or students can be picked up from the airport as the course group leaves Bozeman. Alternatively, there is a taxi service in Bozeman—average cost from the airport is $30 and Uber is available as well.