Montana Wilderness School

What Montana Wilderness School does

Montana Wilderness School (MWS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit outdoor education organization headquartered in Bozeman, Montana, that runs multi-week expeditionary wilderness courses for youth entering 7th grade through exiting 12th grade. The organization delivers three program divisions: Middle School Adventures (ages 14-16), High School Expeditions (ages 16-18), and Contract Courses customized for schools, nonprofits, clubs, and other organizations serving youth ages 12-18. Courses span backpacking, rock climbing, packrafting, canoeing, and alpine mountaineering across Montana terrain including Yellowstone National Park, the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, and the Beartooth Mountains, with durations ranging from 6 to 21 days. MWS codifies a proprietary three-phase expedition curriculum — Skill Introduction, Skill Development, and Capstone — taught by Wilderness First Responder-certified instructors, and operates under a special use permit with the U.S. Forest Service plus access agreements with Yellowstone National Park and the Bureau of Land Management.

The business model combines per-seat course tuition (typically $2,100-$4,855 per student) with a sliding-scale financial aid program that subsidizes 75% of Montana students in part or in full, B2B contract course pricing at $300-$400 per participant per day, charitable donations, foundation grants, and a small merchandise line (MWS Merch). Since 2015, MWS has awarded more than $880,000 in financial aid. The organization is administratively partnered with Headwaters Academy under a mutual strategic alliance formalized in 2023, supported by a network of major foundation funders (Kendeda Fund, Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, Otto Bremer Trust, AMB West Philanthropies, Cinnabar Foundation), corporate sponsors (Sitka Gear, Mystery Ranch), and in-kind partners (Aerie Backcountry Medicine for Wilderness First Aid certification). The go-to-market is a sales-led direct enrollment model: prospective families complete an online application with a $25 non-refundable fee and a mandatory 15-minute Zoom admissions call, with referral flow driven by community partnerships and contract relationships.

MWS currently operates with a 16-person staff across its Bozeman headquarters and field operations, and serves a geographically distributed mix of Montana families, out-of-state students, and institutional contract clients. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; the organization is dependent on foundation and individual giving to underwrite its scholarship-heavy pricing model.

Name

Montana Wilderness School

Legal name

Montana Wilderness School

Website

https://montanawildernessschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Montana Wilderness School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Bozeman, Montana that runs 6-21 day expeditionary wilderness courses in backpacking, climbing, and paddling for middle and high school youth, supplemented by a customized contract course program for schools and youth organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Outdoor Education

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Other Schools and Instruction (6116), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outdoor Recreation & Adventure Programs (Trips, Climbing, Rentals) (EDALAIAG), College & Career Exploration Camps (Pre-College Samplers, Pathways) (EDAMALAN)

Keywords

• Wilderness education programs
• Youth outdoor expeditions
• Experiential learning courses
• Backpacking adventure camps
• Conservation education

Headquarters

HQ city

Bozeman

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Course Tuition: Revenue from multi-week wilderness expedition courses for youth, ranging from 6-21 days. Tuition varies by course type and duration, with need-based financial aid available.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, MWS is dependent on charitable donations to facilitate their mission. They have awarded over $880,000 in financial aid awards since 2015.
3. Contract Courses: Customized Montana backcountry courses for schools, nonprofits, clubs, and organizations serving youth ages 12-18, priced at $300-$400/day/participant.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Montana Wilderness School provides multi-week (6-21 day) expeditionary wilderness courses for middle and high school youth in Montana's backcountry. Programs cover backpacking, rock climbing, packrafting, canoeing, and alpine mountaineering, structured through a three-phase curriculum (Skill Introduction, Skill Development, Capstone). The organization also delivers customized contract courses for schools, nonprofits, and youth organizations, and sells branded merchandise to support operations.

Product overview

Montana Wilderness School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit outdoor education organization offering expeditionary wilderness courses to youth. The organization operates three main program divisions: Middle School Adventures (ages 14-16, rising 7th-9th grade), High School Expeditions (ages 16-18, rising 10th-exiting 12th grade), and Contract Courses (customized programs for schools and organizations). Programs span various wilderness disciplines including backpacking, rock climbing, packrafting, canoeing, and alpine mountaineering, with course lengths ranging from 6-21 days. The organization also offers branded merchandise through MWS Merch. MWS operates under an administrative partnership with Headwaters Academy, an intellectual community focused on academic inquiry and experiential learning.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Middle School Adventures Backcountry expedition courses for middle schoolers (rising 7th to rising 9th grade, ages 14-16) focusing on campcraft, backcountry cooking, navigation, and leadership across Montana's remote wilderness.
• High School Expeditions Advanced multi-week backcountry expeditions for high schoolers (rising 10th to exiting 12th grade, ages 16-18) emphasizing advanced campcraft, leadership, navigation, and conservation ethics.
• Contract Courses Customized 5-20 day Montana backcountry courses for schools, nonprofits, clubs, and organizations serving youth ages 12-18, priced at $300-$400 per day per participant and tailored to group educational objectives.
• Rock and River Adventure 10-day course for ages 14-16 combining 5 days of rock climbing instruction and 5 days of whitewater packrafting; $3,300 tuition with partial-to-full scholarships available for Montana students.
• Yellowstone Backpacking Adventure 8-day backpacking adventure for ages 14-16 through the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem focusing on wilderness skills, leadership, navigation, camping, and backcountry cooking; $2,650 tuition.
• Missouri River Canoe Adventure Multi-day canoe expedition through the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, paddling the Wild and Scenic Missouri River and exploring riverside canyons; $2,335 tuition.
• Greater Yellowstone Backpacking Adventure 10-day introductory backpacking course for ages 14-16 in the Yellowstone ecosystem teaching backpacking fundamentals including cooking, camping, and map/compass navigation; $3,150 tuition.
• Intro to Packrafting Adventure 6-day introductory whitewater packrafting course for ages 14-16 covering swiftwater rescue techniques and river navigation; $2,110 tuition.
• Rock Camp Adventure 8-day rock climbing adventure for ages 14-16 covering outdoor climbing techniques, traditional gear placement, and multi-pitch climbing fundamentals; $2,850 tuition.
• Backpacking Skills for Aspiring Hunters 10-day expedition for ages 15-18 focused on backcountry hunting skills, wildlife behavior, navigation, and public lands hunting ethics; $3,630 tuition.
• Alpine Backpacking Expedition 15-day advanced backpacking expedition for ages 16-18 in high-mountain terrain covering off-trail navigation and peak summits, with Wilderness First Aid certification; $4,855 tuition.
• Rock Camp Expedition 8-day rock climbing expedition for ages 16-18 covering outdoor climbing skills, anchor building, rappelling, and multi-pitch climbing with backcountry travel between sites.
• Intro to Packrafting Expedition 6-day introductory packrafting course for ages 16-18 teaching swiftwater navigation, paddling techniques, and backcountry travel skills.
• Trailhead Expedition: Water & Mountain 6-day introductory high school expedition combining 2 days of packrafting the Yellowstone River with 4 days of backpacking in Southwest Montana; $2,100 tuition for 2026.
• Wilderness Expedition: Rock 7-day intermediate rock climbing expedition for rising 10th to exiting 12th graders focusing on traditional gear placement, anchor building, and backcountry skills; $2,800 tuition for 2026.
• Wilderness Adventure: Mountain 7-day intermediate backpacking expedition for rising 7th-9th graders focusing on high-mountain travel, navigation, and peak summits in the Northern Rockies.
• Trailhead Adventure: Water & Mountain 6-day introductory middle school expedition combining packrafting on the Yellowstone River with backpacking in Southwest Montana.
• MWS Merch Branded merchandise including apparel (t-shirts, caps), accessories (thermos, tumblers, colsters), and outdoor gear (packs) sold to support the organization's mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students develop competencies in outdoor technical skills, leadership, teamwork, and conservation ethics
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Headwaters AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeadwaters Academy and Montana Wilderness School are aligned by a belief that learning is rigorous, relational, and rooted in real experience. This partnership strengthens shared mission while maintaining two separate identities. Headwaters Academy brings long-term academic leadership, systems, and sustainability that support programs built to last. MWS remains deeply committed to its field culture with small groups, experienced instructors, and real terrain.
• Aerie Backcountry MedicinecoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides Wilderness First Aid certification training for Alpine Backpacking Expedition participants. Aerie co-founder Dave McEvoy serves on MWS Advisory Team.
• The Wilderness SocietysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit focused on wilderness conservation and public lands protection, aligned with MWS conservation ethic mission.
• Big Sky Youth EmpowermentsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Bozeman nonprofit focused on youth empowerment through outdoor experiences.
• U.S. National Forest ServicecoreOthersOperates under special use permit with Forest Service. Collaborates with Beaverhead Deerlodge National Forest, Rocky Mountain Ranger District, and Beartooth Ranger District for course locations.
• Yellowstone National ParkcoreOthersU.S. Government agency providing access to Yellowstone National Park for expedition course locations in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
• Bureau of Land ManagementsupportingOthersFederal agency managing public lands including Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument for canoe expeditions.
• Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal foundation supporting wilderness conservation and education in the Absaroka-Beartooth region.
• Experiential Consulting, Inc.supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRisk management consulting firm specializing in wilderness/experiential programs. Steve Smith serves on MWS Advisory Team providing expertise.
• Mystery RanchsupportingOthersBozeman-based pack manufacturer and Wolverine-level business sponsor providing equipment support.
• Miller & Roodell ArchitecturesupportingOthersWolverine-level business sponsor supporting MWS programs.
• Sussex SchoolsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMissoula-based school providing alternative education and outdoor programs, past collaborator on contract courses.
• The Traveling SchoolsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization providing wilderness-based educational experiences for girls, past collaborator.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Outward Bound USA: Outward Bound runs expeditionary wilderness courses for adolescents across the U.S., including in the Mountain West. It mirrors MWS's model of multi-week backpacking, climbing, and paddling expeditions with a scholarship-supported, nonprofit funding structure.
• True North Treks: True North Treks runs backcountry wilderness expeditions for teens and young adults focused on personal growth and outdoor skills, comparable to MWS in target demographic and expedition-based pedagogy.
• Adventure Treks: Adventure Treks offers multi-week wilderness adventure camps for teens combining backpacking, rock climbing, whitewater paddling, and mountaineering—closely aligned with MWS's curriculum mix and teen demographic.
• National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): NOLS is the largest U.S.-based nonprofit wilderness education organization offering multi-week expedition courses for youth and adults. It directly overlaps with MWS on backpacking, climbing, and river expeditions, structured skill progression, and federal land use across the Mountain West.
• Kroka Expeditions: Kroka is a nonprofit wilderness expedition school for youth based in New England offering backpacking, paddling, and climbing trips with a similar place-based, expeditionary learning philosophy to MWS.

Regional players

• Big Sky Youth Empowerment: Big Sky Youth Empowerment is a Bozeman-based nonprofit offering outdoor experiential programs for local youth, overlapping directly with MWS's mission and Bozeman catchment area (and listed as a current MWS strategic partner).
• The Traveling School: The Traveling School offers wilderness-based semester and expedition programs for teenage girls with travel through the American West, mirroring MWS's experiential pedagogy and teen demographic (and listed as a past MWS collaborator).
• Teton Science Schools: Teton Science Schools (Wyoming) delivers place-based wilderness education programs for youth in the Greater Yellowstone region, directly adjacent to MWS's primary operating area and serving a similar teen demographic.
• Yellowstone Forever Institute: Yellowstone Forever (the official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park) operates youth education programs inside the same park where MWS runs its Yellowstone Backpacking Adventure—comparable in setting and target audience.

Broad incumbents

• Student Conservation Association (SCA): SCA is a large national nonprofit offering conservation-based outdoor programs for youth, including wilderness crews and service expeditions. It overlaps with MWS's conservation-ethic mission at greater scale and broader geographic footprint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@montanawildernessschool325
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/montana-wilderness-school

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Montana Wilderness School