Thank you for your interest in the Youth Wilderness Expeditions! Expeditions are 6-day backpacking trips in some of the country's most beautiful, rugged, and vast wilderness areas. These trips are focused on volunteer stewardship work and outdoor education, and they are a lot of fun! Expeditions are free and open to youth, ages 12-18, from Idaho, Montana, and surrounding communities.

Due to the high number of applications, we will be using a weighted lottery system to select participants this year. All applicants will have a fair shot, but those who put thought and effort into their applications, and returners who have proven to work well with others, will have slightly higher chances of selection. It is best if this application is completed by the applicant and parent/gaurdian working together. Please take your time and reach out if you have any questions. This application may take up to 30 minutes to complete.

Important disclaimer!

Youth wilderness expeditions are geared toward the beginner backpacker. All skill levels are welcome! However, backpacking and trail work are inherently strenuous activities. While we do not expect participants to be Olympic athletes, a baseline fitness is required. Participants must be able to hike up to 8 miles uphill carrying a pack weighing at least 50 pounds, and be able to work and hike for up to eight hours per day. For a full list of eligibility requirements, please see the Essential Eligibility Criteria, found at www.selwaybitterroot.org/youth. If you have any concerns, please contact the Youth Program Director, Ian Harris, at iharris@selwaybitterroot.org. Otherwise, please continue on to the application. 

Expeditions take place in very remote settings, often up to ten hours from the nearest hospital. Those with certain physical or mental health conditions may put themselves or others at risk by joining an expedition. SBFC is an inclusive organization, and physical or mental limitations do not disqualify participation. However, for the safety of the youth participant and the rest of the crew, we need to know relevant medical information so that we can best accommodate your needs, and determine if the expeditions to which you applied are suitable to your ability. The following question relates to these concerns. All youth who are preliminarily selected for an expedition will need to complete an in-depth medical history questionnaire prior to full program acceptance.

Thank you for taking the time to apply! Since group size is limited, participant selection may be competitive. The application is open until May 3. Applicants will be notified of acceptance on May 4. Those who apply before April 1 will be included in our early bird drawing and will be notified in early April. Those not selected at this time will remain in the general applicant pool for the May 4 drawing. If accepted, you will be sent a waiver and medical history questionnaire that must be promptly returned in order to secure your spot. If you have any questions about the program, please feel free to contact Youth Program Director, Ian Harris, at iharris@selwaybitterroot.org or 406-548-7243.