THE WHITEFISH TRAIL
Youth Programs
Whitefish Trail Youth Programs
The Whitefish Trail offers a variety of natural interpretive programs and outdoor recreation activities for youth designed to bring students and nature together while increasing awareness of the natural world. The importance of children spending time in nature cannot be over-emphasized – not only does it lead to positive impacts on health and well-being, it also greatly increases the development of life-long environmental awareness.
FREE GUIDED HIKES
Kids Summer Programs -- 2024 dates to be announced in April!
WLP hosts a series of FREE family-friendly guided hikes on the Whitefish Trail and children’s programs at the Whitefish Trail Learning Pavilion. Guided hike topics include a spring wildflowers hike, bird watching, mushroom identification, and forest discovery. Youth-specific hikes will include nature photography, field sketching, nature art, insects, and forest exploration. Due to increased popularity, we are no longer able to accommodate drop-offs at our free kids’ education programs.
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Most programs are geared toward kids ages 5-10.
FOREST CRITTERS:
CLAY DAY:
PAINTING FROM NATURE:
FAIRY HOUSES:
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NATURE CREATIONS:
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TOTS ON THE TRAIL:
NATURE SCAVENGER HUNT:
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ART ON THE TRAIL:
Registration is required for all education programs and group sizes will be limited. Registration for each event will open 2 weeks prior to the event.
4-DAY YOUTH CAMPS
Forest Explorers - 2024 dates just announced!
Enjoy summer by exploring on the Whitefish Trail! These four-day youth camps for children ages 7-11 include hiking, lessons in natural history, interactive games and art activities at the WT Learning Pavilion. All camp days will run from 9am to 1:30pm at Lion Mountain.
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Week 1 – Monday, June 24th to Thursday, June 27th.
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Week 2 – Monday, July 29th to Thursday, August 1st.
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Week 3 – Monday, August 5th to Thursday, August 8th.
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Registration for each week of camp will cost $120. Children may be signed up for only one week of camp.
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Registration for all three weeks of Forest Explorers will open on Thursday, April 11th at 8am on Eventbrite. Click here to view the registration page.
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If you plan on requesting a scholarship, please email jedd@whitefishlegacy.org with your request before 4/10 at 5pm. If approved, you will receive a coupon code for registration and will need to sign up for the camp starting at the same time as others (4/11 at 8am).
MTB • HIKE • VOLUNTEER
Girls on the Trail - 2024 dates just announced!
Girls on the Trail is a collaboration between Whitefish Legacy Partners and community partners to bring teenage girls ages 11-14 out on the Whitefish Trail through a series of mountain biking, hiking, and volunteer events. Girls on the Trail provide teenage girls in the Flathead Valley an opportunity to find their own love of mountain biking, their own appreciation of trails and open lands, and their own strength through hard work and mentorship.
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Monday, July 15th through Thursday, July 18th. Noon to 5pm daily at various locations around the WT.
Registration for each week of camp will cost $120. Children may be signed up for only one week of camp.
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Registration for all three weeks of Forest Explorers will open on Thursday, April 11th at 8am on Eventbrite. Click here to view the registration page.
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If you plan on requesting a scholarship, please email jedd@whitefishlegacy.org with your request before 4/10 at 5pm. If approved, you will receive a coupon code for registration and will need to sign up for the camp starting at the same time as others (4/11 at 8am).
**Drop-off and pick-up will be at several Whitefish Trail trailheads.**
We plan to keep them as close to town as possible.
School Field Trips
WLP’s Goals are to provide relevant school curriculum programs, encourage outdoor education and increase awareness of the Whitefish Trail. Annual field trips are coordinated with Whitefish School District.
Freshman visit the trail in early spring and learn about trail maintenance, fitness and forestry. Sixth graders explore the trail in fall and winter to study snow science and avalanche safety, and third graders come in the early spring to learn about the water cycle.