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
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.
Most programs are geared toward kids ages 5-10.
FOREST CRITTERS: 6/20 at 10:00 am
CLAY DAY: 6/28 at 10:00 am
PAINTING FROM NATURE: 7/6 at 10:00 am
FAIRY HOUSES: 7/11 at 10:00 am
NATURE CREATIONS: 7/19 at 10:00 am
TOTS ON THE TRAIL: 7/20 at 10:00 am
NATURE SCAVENGER HUNT: 7/27 at 10:00 am
ART ON THE TRAIL: 9/30 at 10:00 am
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
Wrap up 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.
Camp registration will open at 8:00 am on 4/6. Space is limited and Registration is required.
Week 1: Monday, 7/31 to Thursday, 8/3 from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm. Click here for more information on Week 1 and registration.
Week 2: Monday, 8/7 to Thursday, 8/10 from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm. Click here for more information on Week 2 and registration.
Because we have a limited number of spots and want to be able to serve as many families as possible, for the first month of registration we will be limiting each participant to one week of camp. On May 5 if there are still open spots, we will allow you to register for a second week.
Cost is $60 per week. Scholarships are available! If the registration fee is a barrier for you or your family, please contact Jedd@whitefishlegacy.org to request a partial or full scholarship.
REGISTRATION OPENS 4/6 AT 8 AM
MTB • HIKE • VOLUNTEER
Girls on the Trail
Girls on the Trail is a collaboration between Whitefish Legacy Partners and community partners to bring teenage girls ages 12-15 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.
Girls on the Trail 2023 Dates: Monday, 7/10, to Thursday, 7/13, from noon to 5:00 pm daily.
Space is limited and Registration is required.
Camp registration will open at 8:00 am on 4/6. Click here for more information on the program and on registration.
The cost is $60 per week. Scholarships are available! If the registration fee is a barrier for you or your family, please contact Jedd@whitefishlegacy.org to request a partial or full scholarship.
**Drop-off and pick-up will be at several Whitefish Trail trailheads.**
We plan to keep them as close to town as possible.
REGISTRATION OPENS 4/6 AT 8 AM
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.