Camper Development

Camper development that promotes growth in the areas of mental, emotional, social, and physical health is woven throughout the activities offered during each camper’s week at camp. We strive to create a safe and supportive atmosphere where campers feel comfortable and confident trying new activities, building relationships, and collaborating with staff to advocate for their needs and feelings.

Our programs encourage campers to ask questions about the environment around them and provide the tools they need to explore and discover answers on their own. This place-based approach to learning, combined with hands-on experiences, fosters mental development and a sense of capability that can inspire new interests, career aspirations, a deeper appreciation for nature, and a stronger understanding of conservation.

Emotional development is also a natural part of the sleep-away camp experience. For many campers, this may be their first time spending extended time away from home. Throughout the week they learn to navigate living with cabinmates, forming new friendships, and experiencing new challenges and opportunities. While campers are able to call home using our landline if needed, we believe much of the magic of summer camp comes from our limited technology environment. Because our camp has no cell service and we do not provide Wi-Fi for campers, children are able to disconnect from the constant stimulation of phones and social media and instead focus on the shared experience of camp. This encourages genuine interaction, strengthens social bonds, and allows campers to fully engage in camp activities. By the end of the week, many campers have forgotten about their electronic devices and have formed strong friendships with their peers.

Finally, our camp promotes physical health through a wide range of outdoor activities. We believe there is no better way to learn about nature than by experiencing it firsthand. As the saying goes, not all classrooms have four walls, and we are fortunate to have the Rocky Mountain Front as our backyard. Throughout the week, campers participate in hikes to observe blooming plants, learn about local flora and fauna, review trail camera footage, and explore the landscape around them. These experiences help campers understand that physical activity can be both enjoyable and meaningful, especially when it takes place in such a beautiful and inspiring environment. 

Environmental Activities

The future of our wildlife and the habitats that support them depends on choices people make. Research and science are key factors in determining what is possible, and Conservation Education provides the knowledge upon which the right choices can be made. The Boone and Crockett Conservation Education Program strives to offer perspectives that will foster shared use of natural resources, conservation, sustainable development, and stewardship of the land to build a common ground for sustaining healthy ecosystems.

Our education program is constructed around a theme of appropriate and shared use of natural resources. It specifically integrates agriculture and wildlife conservation and has an actual model—the TRM Ranch, a working cattle ranch—to base or illustrate the disseminated information. Our efforts differ from others in that we are teaching about the components of the landscape in such a way that people are kept in the picture. The information participants take away will help them better understand the interconnections between the various strands that make up the landscape tapestry. We hope, and believe, that people who take part in our education program come with questions and leave with answers, new questions, and information that helps them discover new ways that can help sustain the land upon which we all depend.

Base Camp

In 2001, the Boone and Crockett Club completed construction of the Elmer E. Rasmuson Wildlife Conservation Center (RWCC), an education and research facility that serves as a hub for the Boone and Crockett Club’s Wildlife Conservation programs. Elementary and secondary school students and teachers, university students and faculty, natural resource managers, local community groups, and others use this facility in the pursuit of the Boone and Crockett Club’s conservation research, education and demonstration mission. This mission seeks to increase humanities’ awareness and understanding of wildlife and the ecosystems we share and our influences on the natural and cultural resources of these ecosystems. The goal of the program is to apply the results of wildlife related research and demonstration techniques that strive to increase wildlife and land use compatibility.

The education program is conducted in a variety of classroom settings, but the very best classroom is the TRM Ranch and the RWCC. The Ranch has an inherent magic that provides a setting for the evolution and discussion of ideas and realism behind multiple-use, sustainable-use, and shared-use issues. The magic comes alive when individuals visit the ranch to participate in an educational function conducted by the program managers. The magic results from the dynamic combination of many influences—the individuals, the activities, and the physical location of the ranch.

From April to October each year the TRM Ranch and the RWCC is a center of activity with a variety of field trips from area schools, workshops, outdoor adventure camps, outdoor classes, and outings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why does my camper need a sleeping bag?
A. We only provide a top sheet and pillow in our bunk rooms so a sleeping bag will keep your camper cozy. We also give our campers the option of setting up a tent on the property for one or multiple nights!

Q. Why does my camper need to bring warm clothes to a SUMMER camp?
A. You may have heard the saying that goes, "if you don't like the weather in Montana, just wait 10 minutes!". The weather here can be very unpredictable, especially at our education center on the Rocky Mountain front, so it's great to be prepared to make the most of the Montana summer camp experience, comfortably!

Q. Where is the Boone and Crockett Summer Camp held?
A. 388 Upper TRM Ranch Rd Dupuyer, MT 5943

Q. Why does my camper need a 40 liter day bag?
A. They will be carrying rain gear, extra clothes, multiple water bottles, snacks, and even some fishing & packrafting gear for our day activities, so with all this gear, we want to make sure they have a pack that will carry everything they need to be comfortable!

Q. How do you handle homesickness?
A. Homesickness happens! We, however, want to provide your camper with the most comfortable and exciting summer camp experience. In attempts to avoid initial homesickness we find it best to persuade campers and parents to not call home the first night. That first night settling in is important, making camp friends and participating in activities. After the first night campers are encouraged to call home if they wish to to tell their parents about all the fun things they have done so far. We often find homesickness is rare at our camp since campers stay so busy with exciting new activities. Our camp is also only four nights of being away from home, so it’s a great opportunity to practice being away from home for a few nights. Our staff is always there to support campers if they are feeling strange from being away from home and aim to make their stay at summer camp as comfortable as possible!

Q. Who are the leaders of your staff?
A. Click here to meet this year's staff!

Q. Is your camp American Camp Association accredited?
A. We have exciting news!! Our Outdoor Adventure Camps Program has begun the process of ACA accreditation and expects to be approved by the end of the 2023 camp season, after our on-site visit. We do however have record of meeting all the accreditation requirements in the meantime and we can walk through those requirements with parents if desired!