Learn wilderness skills at Glacier Institute
Want to know which wild plants are edible? The Glacier Institute can tell you.
To learn more about archaeology, wildlife photography, wilderness skills, geology or Blackfeet Indian history and culture, consider taking a class at Glacier Institute this summer.
From biking for bears to kayaking the Owen Sowerwine natural area, the outdoor program uses Glacier National Park and surrounding lands as classrooms, with a curriculum for inquisitive residents and summer visitors, scientists, artists and teachers.
Some classes carry optional college credit.
The institute operates courses and camps at two residential facilities in the Glacier National Park ecosystem Ñ the Glacier Park Field Camp, just inside the entrance to the park, and the Big Creek Outdoor Education Center, just outside the park on the scenic North Fork of the Flathead River.
Glacier Institute is a private, nonprofit operation founded in 1983 to promote a balanced understanding of the science of ecology and human interaction with the environment.
Adult programs include many field seminars, most of them based out of the Glacier Park Field Camp. Seminar fees include instruction, Glacier National Park entrance fees and, in some cases, transportation.
Seminars are rated according to level of physical activity. People with questions should ask for help selecting a class best suited to their interests and abilities.
The institute also offers programs in collaboration with area partners. Topics include wilderness first aid and CPR, grizzlies and other subjects. Call the institute for more information on those programs.
For a brochure with full descriptions of courses, along with camping, transportation and registration information, contact the Glacier Institute administrative office, 137 Main St., Kalispell, P.O. Box 1887, 59903, or call 755-1211.
The e-mail address is: registeratglacierinstitute.org, or visit the Web site at www. glacierinstitute.org.
June
June 8: Spring Wildflowers Ñ $65
June 9-11: Birding by Ear ÑÊ $135
June 10: Orchids: GlacierÕs Precious Beauties ÑÊ$65
June 9-10: Plants of the Blackfeet Ñ $175
June 16-17: Summer mushroom Extravaganza ÑÊ$125
June 16-17: GlacierÕs Hoofed Mammals Ñ $150
June 20-21: GlacierÕs Birds of Prey Ñ $140
June 20-21: GlacierÕs Grizzlies Ñ $200
June 22: Wilderness Skills ÑÊ$50
June 22-23: Birding GlacierÕs West Side Ñ $80
June 23-24: The Uncommon Loon ÑÊ $120
June 23-24: Wolves of the North Fork Valley ÑÊ $135
June 24: Birding GlacierÕs East Side Ñ $70
June 24-29: Young Naturalist Camp, ages 9 and 10 Ñ $285
June 27: Birding and Kayaking the Owen Sowerwine Ñ $160
June 29: NatureÕs Healers: Wild Medicinal Herbs ÑÊ $65
June 29-30: North Fork River Ecology by Raft ÑÊ$425, includes all meals, float trip and equipment
June 30: Making Wild Herbal Medicines ÑÊ$80
June 30: Photographing Birds in the Burn ÑÊ$90
July
July 1-3: Wolf Pup Mini Camp, ages 7 and 8 Ñ $95
July 5: GlacierÕs Grizzlies and Black Bears ÑÊ $60
July 6: Becoming a Wildlife Detective Ñ $50
July 6-8: Glacier Poetry Workshop ÑÊ$185
July 7-8: GlacierÕs Grizzlies ÑÊ$200
July 8: Middle Fork River Ecology by Raft Ñ $155
July 10-12: Advanced Glacier Poetry Workshop Ñ $185
July 11: Railroad History and Folklore of Glacier National Park Ñ $80
July 12-13: Field Sketching on the Trail ÑÊ$145
July 13: Life in GlacierÕs Streams Ñ $50
July 14: Many Glacier Geology Ñ $75
July 14-15: Native American inhabitants and visitors to the Crown of the Continent ÑÊ$175
July 19-22: Photographing Glacier Country ÑÊ$440
July 20-22: Geology of Glacier National Park ÑÊ$300
July 22: McDonald Creek of Snorkel: Ecology of an Underwater World Ñ $105
July 27: Wilderness Skills Ñ $50
July 27-28: Connections Beyond Borders, the 75th Anniversary of the International Peace Park ÑÊ$175
July 28: Family Flyfishing Ñ $75
July 29: Wildflowers Wanderings at Logan Pass Ñ $75
July 29-Aug. 3: Flyfishing and Aquatic Ecology Camp, ages 12 and 13 Ñ $320
August
Aug. 2-3: Edible and Useful Plants Ñ $125
Aug. 2-5: Bob Marshall Wilderness by Backpack ÑÊ$375
Aug. 3: Becoming a Wildlife Detective Ñ $50
Aug. 4-5: Art and Science of Flyfishing ÑÊ$175
Aug. 4-10: Back Country Wilderness Camp, ages 14-16 Ñ $350
Aug. 5-10: Wild Land Hiking, ages 11 and 12 Ñ $350
Aug. 8: Wild Horse Island by Sea Kayak Ñ $180
Aug. 9-11: Macro Photography ÑÊ$225
Aug. 10: Life in GlacierÕs Streams Ñ $50
Aug. 12-17: Young Naturalist Camp, ages 9 and 10 Ñ $285
Aug. 16-19: Belly RiverÕs Wilderness by Backpack ÑÊ$350
Aug. 17-18: Astronomy by Sea Kayak ÑÊ$225
Aug. 22: Railroad History and Folklore of Glacier National Park ÑÊ$100
Aug. 23: GlacierÕs Grizzlies and Black Bears ÑÊ$60
Aug. 23-24: Beavers: The Best Dam Habitat Builders Around ÑÊ$125
Aug. 24-25: Wolverine Ecology ÑÊ$80
Aug. 24-26: GlacierÕs Grizzlies: An In-depth Look Ñ $285
Aug. 26: Geology Along the Highline Trail ÑÊ$85
September
Sept. 14-16, WomenÕs Nature Journaling and Awareness Retreat Ñ $160
Sept. 19: Wildhorse Island by Sea Kayak ÑÊ$180
Sept. 22: Autumn in Glacier: A Season of Change ÑÊ$65
Sept. 22-23: Heralds of Fall: Ghe Ecology of elk ÑÊ$145
Sept. 29-30: Fall Mushroom Foray ÑÊ$125