The Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation announces 10 free Youth Wilderness Expeditions for summer 2026

Missoula, Montana – This summer, teens from Idaho and Montana will have the opportunity to unplug, explore wild places, and give back to public lands through a series of free wilderness expeditions offered by the Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation.

Now entering its third year, SBFC’s Youth Wilderness Program takes participants ages 12–18 on six-day backpacking expeditions into the Frank Church–River of No Return and Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness areas and surrounding wildlands. Each expedition combines adventure, wilderness skills, and hands-on stewardship in some of the wildest landscapes in the Lower 48.

SBFC provides leadership, food, group gear, and local transportation for the trips. Teens who don’t have personal backpacking equipment can borrow items such as sleeping bags, backpacks, and tents from SBFC’s gear library, ensuring that cost and equipment are not barriers to participation.

Each expedition includes a small crew of six youth participants and two experienced SBFC leaders. Together, they will travel through wilderness landscapes while learning about wilderness, public lands stewardship, and teamwork. Participants will also contribute to trail maintenance projects using traditional hand tools like Pulaskis, loppers, and hand saws, helping keep wilderness trails open and accessible for everyone.

Teens interested in participating can apply online at www.selwaybitterroot.org/youth. Participants will be selected through a weighted lottery, with preference given to applicants

who demonstrate enthusiasm, apply early, and live near wilderness gateway communities.

The 2026 expedition locations and dates are:

15-18 Year Old Expeditions:

·       Chamberlain (Payette National Forest): June 4-9

·       Big Creek Lake (Bitterroot National Forest): June 18-23

·       Lower Gospel Lake (Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest) July 2-7

·       Helldiver Lake (Salmon-Challis National Forest): July 16-21

·       Loon Creek (Salmon-Challis National Forest): July 30-August 4

12-15 year old expeditions:

·       Boulder Creek (Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest): June 18-23

·       Walton Lakes (Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest): July 2-7

·       Slate Lake (Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest): July 16-21

·       Josephus Lake (Salmon-Challis National Forest): July 30-August 4

·       Upper Loon Creek (Payette National Forest): August 13-18

Source: Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation press release

Photo by April, per press release