CLASSES
UPCOMING
PSCI 360 / 591 – Wild Stories: Wilderness Policy, Horse & Mule Packing, and Writing
Course Description
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Dates: June 1 – June 19, Summer 2026 (pack trip: June 14-19)
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Credits: 3 credits
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Location: The Barn (Rattlesnake, north of Missoula) // Pack trip: Bob Marshall Wilderness
Open registration (CRN undergrad #50601 & grad#50600)
This three-week intensive course for ALL MAJORS offers a unique interdisciplinary blend of wilderness policy, backcountry skills, and creative writing. Students will:
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Learn the fundamentals of horse and mule packing, wilderness first aid, and Leave-No-Trace/backcountry camping and trail-maintenance practices.
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Study the history, theory, and contemporary challenges of U.S. wilderness policy — including land management, recreation, wildfire, wildlife, and tribal wilderness issues.
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Develop reflective and narrative writing skills, producing a policy- or wilderness-themed paper.
The course culminates in a fully outfitted five-day horse-packing trip into the Bob Marshall Wilderness with Rich's Montana Guest Ranch in Seeley Lake, MT. This immersive backcountry experience puts wilderness policy and packing skills into practice, offering a powerful opportunity to reflect, write, and engage with wild landscapes.
Enrollment: Limited to 10 students for the pack-trip portion; space fills quickly. Additional outfitting fees apply — past students have offset these costs with a combination of scholarships and personal contribution (typically $500–$700).
Why take this course?
“Wild Stories” is not just a class, but a holistic educational journey: combining academic study, hands-on field skills,
and creative writing in a remote wilderness setting. It’s ideal for students interested in public lands, environmental policy, storytelling, outdoor leadership, or a
deeper connection to Montana’s wild places.
PAST
CLASS IS FULL! Waitlist only.
Flathead Lake Biological Station, Art Conference, October 17, 2025
Explore the natural world through storytelling in this playful, interactive workshop. Participants of all ages and abilities will engage in short exercises that combine observation, imagination, and tactile inspiration — using natural objects, sensory prompts, and creative writing.
Through hands-on activities, attendees will:
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Notice and record small sensory details in nature.
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Transform observations into short stories or vignettes.
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Share and reflect on stories to deepen connection with the natural world and the community.
A fun, sensory-rich session designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and a love of nature-inspired storytelling.
