The Montana Backpacking Adventure is an introductory backpacking course specifically designed for 14-16 year olds. This 10-day adventure focuses on teaching students to become competent in fundamental outdoor skills such as cooking, camping, and map and compass navigation while developing leadership skills as a member of an expeditionary group. Students will be challenged physically—at appropriate introductory levels—and will hike with moderately heavy packs in a changing alpine environment. The expedition team will engage in lessons about backcountry cooking, navigation, and Leave No Trace®land stewardship principles, and students will learn how to communicate effectively and work together to accomplish common expedition goals. 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. For more information about MWS core curriculum and expedition progression see Expedition Life.