Lifetime Hobbies

LIFETIME HOBBIES: A LABOR OF LOVE FINDING A HOBBY TO ENJOY THIS SUMMER AND BEYOND

Every student, no matter their grade, has encountered the timeless question: what are your hobbies? Usually asked during an icebreaker activity, these icebreakers usually elicit answers like rock climbing, painting, skiing, or something else kids enjoy in their free time. Having hobbies is important because they help you engage in something that you truly enjoy. It’s an activity where you aren’t doing it because your parents told you to or you are being paid to do it. If you’ve got a job, you’re likely using that money to participate in your hobby. Hobbies are also important because they allow you to meet people interested in the same activities. Whether much of your free time is spent on the golf course or on a mountain bike, hobbies bring you closer to like-minded people and give you the chance to meet lifetime friends. When you’re young, you go through stages of learning your likes and dislikes. Maybe ballet is crossed off the list because you are the least coordinated person alive, or football because of its high contact. Either way, the best time to explore new hobbies is while you’re young. Try a new one out every few weeks and see if it sticks. Here are a few options for lifetime hobbies you can try this summer!

Spire Climbing and Fitness Summer Camps

Spire Climbing and Fitness is one of Bozeman’s rock-climbing gyms open to all ages. This summer they are offering both weeklong summer camps and day camps for kids ages 5-16. Rock climbing provides a great upper body exercise all the while teaching hand-eye coordination skills. It can also teach life skills like trust and determination through repeated work on a challenging climb. Rock climbing’s laid-back attitude will also always remind you not to take the sport, or life, too seriously. The PIR Day Camp will help campers learn the basics of rock climbing and focus on developing some of the life skills essential to succeed in the sport like strength, confi dence, focus, trust, and teamwork. The camp is open to kids of all abilities and tries to introduce rock climbing to kids in a fun and engaging way. Children ages 5-9 will be split into one group, and children ages 10-12 in another. The next available day camp is being offered April 8, but dates the camp is offered do change, so it is best to check Spire’s website. Information on the PIR day camp can be found at https://www.spireclimbingcenter. com/PIR-day-camps. In addition to the PIR Day Camp, Spire also offers weeklong summer camps for kids ages 5-16. Camps are offered just about every week beginning June 14 and go Monday-Friday, 8:30-12 p.m. Afternoon sessions are also offered on special occasions. Campers are split up into one of the three groups: Monkey Mania for kids ages 5-8, Rock Warriors for kids ages 8-11, and Rock Stars for kids ages 1116. Each camp will focus on Spire’s mission to help kids learn the essentials of the sport and take their skills to the next level. Monkey Mania will focus on skills like tying knots, commands and technique through games and activities. Rock Warriors will expand on the basics learned in Monkey Mania and move on to advanced climbing techniques. Rock Stars will try to ascend to rock climbing glory, and will focus on learning to rappel, tying a variety of knots, and understanding the fundamentals of lead climbing. Registration for all summer camps is available now at https://www.spireclimbingcenter. com/summer-camps. Spire is implementing a number of safety guidelines in response to COVID-19, including: limiting all camps to 15 participants, requiring sanitization when leaving or entering their facility, sanitizing high-touch surfaces frequently, and performing activities outdoors whenever possible.

Those seeking more information on camps being offered this summer can check out https://www.spireclimbingcenter.com/, or call 406586-0706 for more information.

If I told you over the course of 16 days you’d be able to backpack in some of Southwest Montana’s beautiful backcountry, raft a raging river, and fly fish the Madison River with expert guides, would you believe me? Well, it’s true, and this summer Wilderness Adventures is hosting the trip of a lifetime. The epic escapade begins on June 27 at Bozeman’s airport and kicks off with camping under the Douglas-Firs stretching as far as the eyes can see. On day two, campers will be introduced to the Gallatin River and get to experience its views via whitewater raft. On days three and four things get serious, and campers participate in a customized, in-the-field fishing seminar where they will learn basic fly fishing techniques. They will also be schooled in fish ecology, fly fishing ethics, and how to protect the beautiful habitat they are in. After that, the two-week trip will be rounded out with putting their new skills to the test through two backcountry fly fishing trips. Campers will venture into the Anaconda Pintlers Wilderness along with Yellowstone National Park, where they will fly fish in some of the most beautiful places Montana has to offer. Along the way, they will learn important skills like meal planning, Leave No Trace principles, and map and compass navigation. The Montana Fly Fishing Camp is available to students entering grades 9-12 and is being offered in two different two-week sessions. The first session will be offered June 27-July 12, and the second session July 14-July 30. Those attending will be required to supply their own personal gear, clothing, and airfare if they are traveling from somewhere other than Bozeman. The trip itself includes all accommodations, activities, meals, and group gear, including fly fishing rods. Those seeking more information on the Montana Fly Fishing camp can check out https://www.wildernessadventures.com for more information.

Wave Train Kayak Team

This summer, Wave Train Kayak Team is offering kayak programs for beginner, intermediate, and advanced paddlers looking to improve their kayaking skills on the beautiful rivers of Southwest Montana. The camp runs as a six-week session, with two sessions available this summer. Session one begins May 21 and session two July 5. Those who sign up for both sessions will get discounted rates.

The six-week camps are available for kids ages 10-18. Kids ages 10-14 will be split into one group, and teens ages 15-18 in another. From there, participants will be divided further into groups by skill level and comfortability in a kayak. Those new to the sport should not be discouraged to apply, as Wave Train sees kids of every skill level every summer. Campers will spend two days each week kayaking on rivers throughout Gallatin Valley, and will get the chance to improve their skills in the process. It’s important to note that Wave Train Kayak Team does not supply equipment for any of its programs, so purchasing or renting a kayak before will be necessary. The Barn offers discounted rental rates to Wave Train Kayak Team participants and can be reached at 406-5866029. All participants will also be required to provide a personal flotation device, helmet, spray skirt, paddle, booties, dry top, wetsuit, gear bag, throw rope, and a whistle. For more information on Wave Train Kayak Six-Week Teams, check out their website at http://www. wavetrainkayakteam.com/sixweekprograms, or call 406-539-4333.