SPORTS SPORTS
PUBLISHER MEDIA MAVENS LLC PO BOX 11056, BOZEMAN, MT 59719 INFO@MTPARENT.COM
ADVERTISING/OWNER CORA DESANTIS CORA@MTPARENT.CO M 406-579-0746
EDITOR IN CHIEF/ACCOUNTING/OWNER LEIGH RIPLEY LEIGH@MTPARENT.COM
CREATIVE DIRECTOR/OWNER SHAUNESCY WILLARD SHAUNESCY@MTPARENT.COM
LAYOUT & DESIGN SHAUNESCY WILLARD
COPY EDITORS
ELEONORE SNOW & LEIGH RIPLEY
AD DESIGN BRITTNY CUFF
COVER PHOTO ADP STUDIO
SOCIAL MEDIA BRITTNY CUFF, ANDREA HILL & CORA DESANTIS
PRINT MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTION CORA@MTPARENT.COM
SUBMIT PHOTOS SHAUNESCY@MTPARENT.COM
CONTRIBUTING
VICTORIA VAN GARDEREN ERIC FISHER
MICHAELLA CROSKEY
RAEGAN SPRATT
BLAIR FJESETH
of important issues.
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: ADP STUDIO
GALLATIN ICE
BOZEMAN SPORTS CAMP
LISTING PHOTOS PROVIDED BY INDIVIDUAL CAMPS
• What’s Up? photos are from event social media pages if not supplied by the organization
SPORTS SPORTS
PHOTO ADP STUDIO
STARTING THE YOUTH SPORTSJourney
WRITTEN BY PAM O’DOUGHERTY, SKATING DIRECTOR, GALLATIN ICE AND GEORGE WOLFF, YOUTH HOCKEY DIRECTOR, GALLATIN ICE & BOZEMAN AMATEUR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
PHOTOS GALLATIN ICE
If your child is of age to start playing sports, you may be wondering how to begin. It might not be something you gave much thought to as you prepared to become a parent or in the early years of child rearing. But sports are valuable for a myriad of reasons, and most parents want their child involved in something healthy and fun that also teaches important life lessons. How do you choose? And what are you getting yourself into as the parent of an athlete in Montana?
Early exposure to multiple sports can be one of the best things you do for a young or burgeoning athlete. Allowing your child to explore is important, and when you are just getting started, you really can’t go wrong. Whether a sport is individualized or team-based, athletics offer meaningful benefits.
No matter the sport, participation in any organized activity helps children learn valuable life skills. They learn to accept feedback and keep moving forward after they fall or make a mistake. They learn to communicate more effectively with adults who coach them and with
teammates or fellow competitors their own age. They build confidence and see firsthand how practice leads to improvement.
Team sports offer kids the additional benefit of building community away from devices and working toward a common goal, sometimes alongside peers they may not naturally gravitate toward. Individualized sports, such as figure skating or gymnastics, teach athletes to perform independently and build resilience while still contributing to a supportive team environment when competing in group settings. As you explore different activities together, you and your child will also learn how to communicate about what excites them and what does not.
At this point you may be wondering: If I want my child to try both team and individual sports, how many is too many? And when should they specialize in just one? There is a common misconception that extreme focus on one sport is “what it takes.” Actually, there is significant value in being a multi-sport athlete. Early specialization can potentially increase the risk of
more injuries and burnout. Multi-sport athletes often develop broader skills and sometimes progress further once they eventually choose to specialize. Encourage your child to remain open-minded and help ensure their body is being taken care of. If they remain committed to a few sports as they approach their teenage years, and the seasons align in a manageable way, let them try a handful.
There are a few things for parents in Montana to keep in mind. We live in a large state, and for sports that involve travel, competitors are often spread far and wide. There may be a tournament in Glasgow one weekend and a game in Helena the next. Games are rarely cancelled or postponed due to inclement weather, so be prepared with reliable vehicles, the right tires and know you’ll have many early mornings. If travel feels overwhelming, or if time and financial commitments are a concern, you still have options. Before signing up for a travel team, consider recreational leagues. And depending on the sport and district, if children make it onto their middle or high school teams, travel is sometimes organized through the
school itself. Because children grow quickly, look for ways to save on gear by borrowing, renting or purchasing used equipment. Other parents often have items their children have outgrown, and larger communities in Montana typically have secondhand sports stores.
It is also worth researching localized and nonprofit programs in your area. In Bozeman, Gallatin Ice offers free learn-to-play hockey programs, affordable learn-to-skate lessons, low-cost gear rental and a no-travel house hockey league that allows youth to play through age 18. For figure skaters, there are in-house exhibitions, ice shows and themed performances that allow for showcasing skills in front of an audience without leaving town. If you are outside the Bozeman area, check for these sorts of opportunities in your region.
Beginning your family’s journey into youth athletics is an exciting step. Remember to keep it fun and stay curious alongside your child.
Pam O’Dougherty is the Skating Director at Gallatin Ice and George Wolff is the Youth Hockey Director for Gallatin Ice and the Bozeman Amateur Hockey Association.
FRESH AIR FAMILIES HIKING GROUP:
BUILDING COMMUNITY ONE TRAIL AT A TIME
In a place like Bozeman, it’s easy to think of sport as peak-bagging, singletrack miles or training for your next big race. But anyone who has hiked a trail with a baby strapped to their chest or coaxed a toddler over one more dusty hill knows the truth: Parenting outdoors is a sport of its own. It requires endurance, flexibility, teamwork—and a solid snack strategy.
That’s the spirit behind Fresh Air Families, a weekly summer program inviting parents to explore local trails and parks while building community along the way. At Roots Family Collaborative, they believe getting outside is vital to parents’ health and well-being. A change of scenery can ground us, help us breathe deeper and remind us we’re part of something bigger.
You don’t have to be a Ridge Runner or an extreme climber—child or adult—to feel the benefits of wind in your hair, sun on your face and dirt beneath your feet.
Fresh Air Families welcomes all families, including those who are expecting, with no previous hiking experience required. Come as you are. Hike at your own pace. Stop for snacks. Break off into smaller groups. Turn around whenever you need to. Join one hike or all of them. Because out here, the goal isn’t distance or speed—it’s connection, fresh air and doing it together.
Visit Roots website for more information and to register: rootsfamilycollaborative.com.
February 6 - September 7
Leap into a vibrant, multisensory world of LIVE FROGS from around the globe!
Discover singing, camouflaged, and wildly colorful frogs in habitats filled with live plants and rainforest vibes. Play with hands-on interactives, trigger real frog calls, and get noseto-nose with nature’s most surprising superstars.
Explore every side of these amazing amphibians - their biology, natural history, role in human cultures, importance to ecosystems, and the threats they face in a changing world.
This immersive adventure is fun, fascinating, and ribbit-ing for all ages! Scan the QR code to learn more.
Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland in Allenwood, Pennsylvania, an institution accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, created, tours, and provides a professional keeper for the exhibition.
Two Bozeman Locations
(North campus) 3774 Equestrian Ln. (South campus) 233 Enterprise Blvd. Serving ages 6 mths to 6 yrs
• Hot lunches & snacks from our own school kitchen included with tuition
• Weekly music classes included
• Supportive community of teachers & families
• Licensed early childhood center with DPHHS since 2013
• Children’s developmental needs supported by trained Montessori teachers
• Variety of scheduling options available
• Spacious, beautiful environments
• Best Beginnings scholarships accepted!
Email: enrollment@bozeman montessori.com Ph: (406) 600-8098 www.bozemanmontessori.com Follow us on
FROM THE INSIDE OUT: FINDING our PERSONAL BEST THE MONTESSORI WAY
WRITTEN BY VICTORIA VAN GARDEREN, CO-OWNER AND DIRECTOR OF BOZEMAN MONTESSORI
As the snow melts in the mountains and Montana’s fields turn green this April, many of our children are swapping winter boots for cleats. In the Montessori tradition, we look at physical development and movement through a wider lens than just team sports—one that also champions the internal development of the child as much as any external scoreboard.
THE FOUNDATION: CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
Dr. Maria Montessori wrote extensively about grace and courtesy. While these might sound like simple lessons in social-emotional development, they are actually the bedrock of character development. In a Montessori environment, a noncompetitive atmosphere is cultivated not to avoid challenge but to foster teamwork, cooperation and friendship, which are all strong predictors of lifelong happiness, something we all want for our kids.
When a child learns how to let someone go first or how to offer help to a peer, they are practicing the same self-regulation required in many team sports, even if it looks a little different on the field. We also believe that every child has a unique gift to give. As they grow, those gifts may manifest in drama, speech and debate or varsity sports. However, the “win” isn’t in the trophy; it’s in exploring their potential and the refinement of the human spirit. All of the skills kiddos learn in these early years help shape the adults they will become.
UNDERSTANDING THE SELF: THE PROPRIOCEPTIVE JOURNEY
In early childhood, sports look a lot like selfdiscovery. Before a child can effectively pass
a ball to a teammate, they must understand where their own body exists in space—a concept known as the proprioceptive sense.
We use specific language to help children tune into their bodies. You might hear a Montessori guide ask:
Ç “Are you feeling floppy today?”
Ç “Do you need some movement to help your brain come ‘online’?”
Ç “Does your body need a little challenge right now?”
For children with high spirits and boundless energy, activities involving big muscle groups are provided. These “deep tissue” activities—like carrying heavy buckets of water or moving small furniture—help them find balance. As children work out their sense of body-in-space, movement activities are awesome tools for regulation. By learning to listen to these internal cues, children develop the physical autonomy necessary for any future athletic endeavor.
Personal Best vs. “Me First”
There is a vital distinction between athleticism and the cultural pressure of competition. In Montessori, they distinguish between team sports and the act of competing against oneself to find a “personal best.” Competition can be a lot of fun, and when you focus on personal best, the goal is mastery and self-satisfaction within a group dynamic. When the focus shifts to “me first” or putting ourselves over others, the joy of movement often gets lost in the anxiety of performance. As children become ready to work in teams, the Montessori approach
emphasizes that when the team wins, everybody wins. This collective mindset shifts the energy from tension and stress to support and shared celebration. It is a powerful contrast to the “win at all costs” mentality that can sometimes overshadow the joy of sports.
Modeling Grace and Courtesy
As parents, we are our children’s first coaches in the art of grace and courtesy. So, as you head to the sidelines this spring, remember that your child is watching to see how you handle what happens. When a referee makes a call we dislike or the opposing team scores, it is an opportunity to practice the same self-regulation we ask of our children. Whether they become star athletes or find their “arena” in a laboratory or on a stage, they will carry with them the most important skill of all: The ability to move through the world with confidence, awareness and respect for others, something the world could use a little more of these days.
Victoria van Garderen is the co-owner and director of Bozeman Montessori. She specializes in early childhood development, focusing on how coordination and control of movement supports self-regulation to build a foundation for lifelong success. Learn more about her school’s mission at bozemanmontessori.com.
IDEAS FOR HOME
When a child seems restless or “unplugged” from their body, Montessori teachers often turn to “Heavy Work.” These activities provide proprioceptive input, which helps organize the central nervous system. Try these at home this spring:
Ç Give your child a small wheelbarrow or a sturdy bucket. Have them move rocks, mulch or even heavy toys from one side of the yard to the other.
Ç Let them push or pull the full laundry basket to the washing machine. The resistance against their muscles is incredibly grounding.
Ç If a child is feeling overwhelmed or “floppy,” have them place their hands flat against a wall and “push” as hard as they can for 10 seconds.
Ç Use a large scrub brush and a bucket of soapy water to clean outdoor furniture, stepping stools, garbage pails or the kitchen floor. The repetitive, large-muscle movement is deeply satisfying for young children.
THE POWER of MULTIPLE SPORTS
WRITTEN BY ERIC FISHER | PHOTOS BOZEMAN SPORTS CAMP
In the world of youth athletics today, it can be easy to get caught up in the excitement of one sport and the competitive spirit that goes along with it. As parents, we want the best for our children, plain and simple. This may cause us to focus on helping our child be the best at only one sport. We think that extra instruction, extra camps and potential specialization in that sport will help our child to be the best.
Kids, however, will not become the best in a sport by focusing on it year-round. Children flourish when they’re able to play multiple sports and be exposed to new opportunities, new challenges and new skills from one season to another. The benefits are not only physical variety and skill-building, but also developing mental capabilities and approaches that can carry over from one sport to another.
At Bozeman Sports Camp, their goal is to expose children to multiple sports to lay a foundation of athletics and the skills each sport requires. Their goal as a summer camp is to create a level of confidence for kids to then pursue those sports they are interested in.
Whether kids get involved in team sports, individual sports or a combination of both, the skills and mindset can complement each other to find success. A swimmer’s inner drive to push through and finish a race strong can carry over
to a relay race in track and field, helping their team win a race. A wrestler’s ability to escape the grip of their opponent, then turn around to score a takedown can carry over to shedding a block in football and then making a tackle. A gymnast’s aerial contortion can carry over into pole vaulting success. Every sport has components that can connect to another sport and create more successful skills and mindsets.
As a former high school coach, I saw first-hand the power that playing multiple sports had on young student-athletes. I was fortunate enough to coach track athletes who were successful on the track, which helped improve their speed and stamina for their volleyball and soccer seasons. I got to coach football kickers who were also standout soccer players. My fellow coaches and I worked with long and triple jumpers that used their abilities to then jump and score touchdowns on the football field. These kids found success because they developed the skills and mindsets that complemented multiple sports. A simple look at the backgrounds of college athletes shows that a majority of those high-performing student-athletes grew up playing multiple sports.
Playing a variety of sports is also healthier for young, developing bodies. Overuse injuries come into play when a young body is performing the same skills and training routines year-round. Rest is imperative between seasons. By doing the same motion for multiple seasons, specialization causes injuries that are difficult to heal.
An additional reason to keep kids active in multiple sports is the uncertainty of future opportunities and development. My own story is evidence of that. In elementary school and middle school, I was focused on soccer and basketball. But I had an open mindset, and when the chance came during high school to use my soccer skills on the football team as a kicker and punter, I took it and ultimately earned a scholarship for college in football. I competed in Track and Field to train my body in a competitive environment. My coaching career brought opportunities to be an assistant high school football coach and a head high school track coach. My multi-sport approach gave me the knowledge to ultimately coach the last two sports I became involved with. Exposure to four sports and more led me to a career teaching Health Enhancement and running a youth summer sports camp. Young athletes cannot predict the future to know where opportunities may arise; keeping options open can lead to shared success.
Multiple sports are fun for kids and keep families engaged around their school and town. Being a multi-sport student-athlete is simply healthier and can ultimately be what’s best for our children.
Eric Fisher is an elementary school principal at Monforton Elementary and has owned and operated Bozeman Sports Camp with his family for 10 years.
MOVEMENTis LEARNING
WRITTEN BY MICHAELLA CROSKEY
Across classrooms nationwide, educators are noticing a worrying trend: More and more children are showing up to school struggling with basic motor skills. Tasks like holding a pencil, cutting with scissors or even sitting upright in a chair are becoming harder for many kids. Teachers are indeed working to address these gaps, but the truth is that much of this groundwork for learning begins long before a child ever steps foot in a formal classroom — through movement.
When children move (running, skipping, climbing, skiing, dancing) they’re not just exercising their bodies or burning off energy. They’re wiring their brains for learning. Coordinated movement supports the neural connections that underpin focus, coordination, reading fluency, handwriting and even emotional regulation.
The Brain-Body Connection
The brain develops through patterned, rhythmic movement. When a child crawls, swings or kicks a ball, both hemispheres of the brain must communicate across the corpus callosum — the bridge of nerve fibers linking left and right. These “crossing the midline” activities build synchronization between both sides of the body and both sides of the brain, which forms the foundation for higher academic skills such as reading and writing.
One of the most effective types of movement for this is rhythmic and bilateral; motion that repeats in a cadenced, alternating pattern between opposite sides of the body. Think about walking, swimming or the diagonal stride of Nordic skiing: left arm forward with right leg, then right arm with left leg. These patterns strengthen the brain’s timing, rhythm and coordination systems in ways that static table-top work simply cannot replicate down the road.
Play as Prevention
While a series of OT sessions can remediate motor deficits once they arise, the easiest fix is prevention — integrating movement-rich
activities from the earliest years. Early childhood sports, dance, climbing, swimming and even simple playground time develop muscle tone, coordination and a sense of body awareness (proprioception) that pay academic dividends later. Play-based, full-body experiences lay down neurological pathways that strengthen both gross and fine motor skills, the real prerequisites for writing, math and another ever-increasing concern: attention.
Past generations likely benefitted from different social norms regarding play, supervision and perhaps access to areas that encouraged organic movement. Today in the Gallatin Valley, we are fortunate to have a plethora of wonderful programs to explore. Enrolling in structured settings, whether a class for a session or a team for a season, guarantees your child is exposed to various types of movement for a set amount of time. Commitments and schedules help keep parents accountable on the many days it feels easier to say, “Go play in the yard,” or, “Let’s watch an episode.”
A Simple Plea: Start Early, Move Often
If there’s one takeaway for parents and educators alike, it’s this: Movement is not a break from learning. Movement is learning. Every skip, jump and stride is a vital brain-building exercise.
So please — for the love of child development — sign your kids up for tiny tot sports, encourage outdoor play and make movement a joyful, everyday part of family life. Their future teachers (and their growing brains) will thank you.
Some of my personal coed favorites locally are GymKids at Lone Mountain, Learn to Skate at Gallatin Ice and team sports provided by YMCA.
Resource for Support: Potential MT scholarships reduce financial pressures and increase the opportunity for local kids to gain all the benefits that sports provide (www.potentialmt.org).
Michaella Croskey is the Founder and Head of OptOut Learning Center: OptOudoors.School.
Activities + GUIDE
your kids' summer fun here for more information about these camps, visit our interactive Summer Camp & Activities Finder at
Big Timber
Camp Mimanagish
Ç info@mimanagish.org
Ç (406) 290-9096
A camp for those who don’t have a camp, Camp Mimanagish is located just south of Big Timber in the scenic Boulder Valley. With plenty of opportunity to hike, play and explore the landscape, this camp is great for the whole family. With a wide variety of family-friendly camps and offerings, you’re sure to find one that fits your needs. Their mission is to offer opportunities to foster relationships, nourish mind, body and spirit, unplug from distraction inviting solace and creativity and build a beloved community that values justice, equality and love.
Bozeman
406Cirque Circus Camp
Ç registrations@406cirque.com
Ç (406) 404-6208
Ç www.406cirque.com/summer-camp
406Cirque Camp is a hands-on performing arts experience where kids and teens explore circus through movement, creativity and collaboration. Campers train in acrobatics, aerial arts, juggling, balance and clowning while building strength, confidence and focus. Days are structured yet playful, emphasizing skill development, teamwork and self-expression. Options are available for single week camps or three-week sessions. The threeweek session culminates in a showcase, giving campers the chance to share their work.
Art
Camp by State of Play: Littles (3-7 years old) and Bigs (6-9 years old)
Ç info@stateofplay.co
Ç (406) 404-2374
Ç www.stateofplay.co
State of Play summer camps are designed to spark imagination, build confidence and let kids explore creativity through handson art and play.
EMPOWERING YOUTH: INSPIRING POSSIBILITY
Give
JUNE 22-26, JULY 6-10 JULY 13-17, AUG 3-7
Beth Kennedy Studio redartgirl1987@me.com (406) 570-6404
Weekly summer camp is a little bit of everything: painting, ceramics, LED, drawing with thread, watercolor, puppetry, paper marbling, book making, printmaking, applied math, badminton/croquet, improv activity breaks and board games at 3:30. You provide campers lunch and snacks. Camp runs Mon.- Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. with late or early drop-off. Cost is $200 per week (plus $25 per week for late or early drop-off). Space limited to eight campers. Ask about the neighborhood pricing. Beth has an MFA and a Montana teaching license. This camp has been a part of the Gallatin Valley on since 1992.
Big Sky Tutoring
Ç admin@bigskytutoring.info
Ç (406) 312-1558
Ç www.bigskytutoring.info/2026-summerprograms
This summer, Big Sky Tutoring is offering a selection of both enrichment and foundational skill-building programs to help your student excel and tap into their motivation. Their foundational programs are designed to close learning gaps from last school year and prepare students to start the next school year with the tools they need to excel. Enrichment programs offer students expert guidance to grow as writers, scientific thinkers and mathematicians. Big Sky Tutoring programs are conducted with a small student-to-instructor ratio that allows for individual support and attention.
Bozeman’s Best Summer Camp
Ç info@bozemansummercamp.com
Ç (406) 306-0800
Ç www.bozemansummercamp.com
Join Bozeman’s Best Summer Camp for an unforgettable summer filled with adventure, learning and fun. The mission is to provide a safe, nurturing environment where your child can grow, make new friends and create lasting memories. Each week, your child will participate in an exciting variety of activities, including sports, martial arts, tumbling, dance, arts and crafts, educational lessons, splash days, field trips and much more. There’s never a dull moment, and your child is going to love being there. Camp runs MondayFriday, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Full summer and weekly enrollment options available.
Bozeman Children’s Theatre Summer Camp
Ç bozemanchildrenstheatre@gmail. com
Ç (406) 539-3153
Ç www.bozemanchildrenstheatre. com/new-product
Campers will go from auditions to performances in less than two weeks with the Bozeman Children’s Theatre’s staff of licensed educators!
Bozeman
Montessori Summer Program
Ç enrollment@bozemanmontessori.com
Ç (406) 600-8098
Ç www.bozemanmontessori.com
Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Bridger Mountains, our summer program is designed to be an extension of the Montessori classroom, blending discovery of the natural world with the joy of creative expression. Children will engage in hands-on activities that foster independence, curiosity and a deep connection to our local Montana environment. Weekly themed options are available for children ages 6 months through 6 years, Monday-Thursday.
Bozeman Sports Camp
Ç bozemansportscamp@gmail.com
Ç (406) 661-5496
Ç www.bozemansports.camp
Bozeman Sports Camp is an active summer sports camp for kids entering grades K-6. They provide fun and engaging activities, games and instruction covering sports of all kind. Camp directors are Bozeman-area teachers and college students studying education. Counselors are trained to provide quality instruction of sports skills, strategies and sportsmanship while creating an active setting for kids to spend their summer.
HELENA
Camp Equinox
Summer Theater Day Camp
Ç registrar@campequinox.com
Ç (406) 522-7623
Ç www.campequinox.com
“What a magical, magical place. You guys really have a gift.” - camp parent
Since 1996 Camp Equinox has been an exciting place for kids to learn all about the theater, and explore their own creativity. The goal is to give students the opportunity to meet challenges, build self-confidence and see their success in final performances, all in the environment of a supportive community. The positive growth that takes place through the performing arts is thrilling. You may not recognize your kids after four weeks at Camp Equinox.
Camp Pinspiration
Ç bozeman@pinspiration.com
Ç (406) 219-3786
Ç www.pinspiration.com/locations/bozeman
This pin-spirational art camp is sure to entertain your kids, offering campers ages 6-12 the opportunity to learn and grow as they explore their creative spirit. Each week of camp has a unique theme, so your child can enjoy multiple sessions and walk away with an armful of creations, learned techniques and long-lasting memories. Campers will make two to three themed projects per day, and also enjoy themed activities and games. Choose which camp speaks to your child or enjoy them all.
Cedar Ridge Equine
Ç Cedarridgeequines@gmail.com
Ç (530) 263-3433
Ç ww.cedarridgeequine.com
Cedar Ridge Equine offers several dates for horsemanship clinics and lessons for youth of all ages, from beginner to advanced riders. In all of the clinics, Cedar Ridge Equine teaches life skill development and personal growth as an intricate component of the horsemanship program. They have several options for adults available as well. Lesson horses and tack are provided.
Creative Arts Summer Camp
Ç erin.creativeartspreschool@ gmail.com
Ç (406) 579-7692
Ç www.creativeartspreschool.org
Creative Arts Summer Camp is a nature-inspired art camp where outdoor exploration and creative expression go hand-in-hand. Children spend time outside each day observing the world around them, then bring those experiences to life through hands-on art projects, music and imaginative play. Designed for children ages 3-7, weekly themes offer a thoughtful balance of nature, creativity and connection in a warm, supportive environment.
Crosscut
Mountain Bike Camps
Ç camps@crosscutmt.org
Ç (406) 586-9690
Ç www.crosscutmt.org/youth-bikingcamps
Crosscut’s Mountain Bike Camps help young riders build confidence, skills and trail awareness through fun, progressionbased instruction and plenty of time on the trails. Guided by experienced coaches and grounded in safety, campers develop strong riding fundamentals while exploring Crosscut’s trail system and making new friends.
Dancing from Stage to Sky
Ç info@mountainairdance.org
Ç (406) 595-0909
Ç mountainairdance.org
This fun and unique day camp challenges students physically and mentally with classes in aerial arts, dance technique, choreography, yoga, Pilates, hand balancing, flexibility training, arts and crafts and more. Experienced instructors will guide students through their day in small groups based on age and skill level. Join the fun and learn to fly! No experience required. For ages 6-16.
Emerson Art Camp
Ç education@theEmerson.org
Ç (406) 587-9797
Ç www.theEmerson.org/youth-camps
Unleash your child’s creativity at Emerson Art Camp, which offers eight unique, weeklong adventures packed with imagination, exploration and hands-on fun. Running Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.–3 p.m., each camp features a different creative theme designed to inspire young artists ages 5–12. Campers spend their days creating, playing, laughing and learning outdoors, guided by instructors who encourage curiosity and self-expression. From experimenting with new materials to collaborating with friends, every day is a chance to discover something new.
Explore! Summer Day Camps
Ç recdept@bozeman.net
Ç (406) 582-2290
Ç www.bozeman.net/recreation
It is tough to find the variety, adventure and affordability of Bozeman Parks and Recreation camps anywhere else. Run by leaders who truly care about your children and implementing quality programs, Parks and Recreation summer camps create a safe and fun environment that is spent mostly outdoors where kids will play, laugh, create art of all kinds, learn about their local ecosystem, meet new friends, get a little dirty and challenge themselves by engaging in new activities daily. Bozeman Parks and Recreation is creating community through people, parks and programs.
For the Future Sports Camp
Ç coachmack@forthefuturesports.com
Ç (701) 391-3301
Ç www.forthefuturesports.com
For the Future Sports Camp is a series of weeklong, coed, sports-focused day camps for kids entering grades K-8, held at Sacajawea Middle School in Bozeman. Every day of the nine-week program is full of active, outdoor fun. Campers are split into three age groups according to grade: K-2, 3-5 and 6-8, and will participate in age-appropriate skills, drills and games. For the Future Sports Camp is designed for all skill levels, so whether you child is looking to improve their game, learn a new sport or just have fun and meet new people, there is a spot waiting for them this summer.
Gallatin Valley YMCA Summer Camps
Ç leah.weaver@gallatinvalleyymca.org
Ç (406) 994-9622
Ç www.gallatinvalleyymca.org
Gallatin Valley YMCA adventure day camps, specialty camps and sports camps are more than fun — they help kids build lasting friendships, celebrate achievements and discover a circle where they belong. The Y offers full-day and halfday camps for kids ages 5 through 14. Summer camp is so much more fun in the sun. At the Y, they provide an exciting and safe community for young people to explore the outdoors, build selfesteem, develop interpersonal skills, make-lasting friendships and more.
Girls Stories
Girls Voices
Ç mmalloy@allthrive.org
Ç (406) 922-4246
Join Thrive for the annual Girls Stories, Girls Voices summer camp, held Monday-Friday, July 20-24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year’s theme, “Girls are Powerful,” is designed specifically for middle school girls to discover their inner superhero. Activities include creative writing, art projects, movement, sharing memories and having fun. The event registration fee is $150, and both full and partial scholarships are available for any camper. This camp is for girls moving into sixth, seventh and eighth grade.
Heart and Hand Center Day Camps and Retreats
Ç support@heartandhandcenter.com
Ç (406) 587-4036
Ç www.heartandhandcenter.com
Heart and Hand Center day camps provide life-changing experiences with horses that will enhance and improve understanding of relational boundaries, improve self-awareness and emotional regulation, reduce anger and anxiety, diminish depression and self-doubt and build confidence and self-esteem while adding a wealth of increased understanding about oneself and others. Art and musical activities are included in every camp along with hiking and times for quiet meditation at Heart and Hand Center’s beautiful 286-acre ranch retreat center near Bozeman.
Dungeons & Dragons
GirlSing Music Camp
Singing, Songwriting, Art and Outdoor Fun with Music Kate
Ç KateBryan2000@gmail.com
Ç (406) 570-2839
Ç www.GirlSing.com
GirlSing Music Camp is offered MondayFriday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for ages 7 to 11 (optional early drop-off and late pick-up for small fee). Camp sessions empower girls to explore their creative spirits through singing, songwriting, journaling and self-expressive art projects. Celebrating the beauty in every personality (introvert, extrovert, in-between, etc.) and honoring the gifts that make each girl unique, these indoor/outdoor camps offer engaging activities (daily hikes/outdoor play, picnics, rhythm-making and creative arts). Thursday nights feature an art and music program. Flexible Fridays are available to accommodate family weekend plans.
Innovators in the Making: SUMMER CAMP SNAPSHOT
Ç programs@acrmuseum.org
Ç (406) 582-1288
Ç www.acrmuseum.org/summer-camp
Looking for an exciting and enriching summer experience for your child? You’ve come to the right place! The American Computer and Robotics Museum is thrilled to launch “Innovators in the Making,” a STEM summer camp designed for curious minds entering grades 3 through 8. This camp isn’t just about learning; it’s about doing, creating and discovering. Each week has a fun and engaging theme, and every day is packed with hands-on projects where kids build, experiment and collaborate. Sign up for as many sessions as you want. Come prepared for indoor and outdoor activities. Bring a sack lunch and snacks, and come prepared for both indoor and outdoor activities, Each camper receives a camp t-shirt and water bottle. Weeklong sessions start June 15, June 22, June 29 and July 6.
kidsLINK Summer Camp
Ç kidslink@greatergallatinunitedway.org
Ç (406) 587-2194
Ç www.greatergallatinunitedway.org
kidsLINK Summer Camps offer fun, safe and enriching experiences in Bozeman and Belgrade for preschoolers through rising fifth-graders. Programs include Jumpstart Aftercare, featuring weekly themes, hands-on STEM, creative arts, outdoor play, field trips and special projects with community partners. In Big Sky, kidsLINK Summer Camp (for ages 3–5) focuses on kindergarten readiness through play-based learning, giving kids plenty of time to explore, play, make friends and build confidence, curiosity and new skills in a supportive environment.
Kit Comedy Summer Camp
Ç annie@lastbestcomedy.com
Ç (323) 533-6368
Ç www.lastbestcomedy.com/kit-comedy
Kit Comedy Camp offers children an immersive introduction to the world of comedic performance. Throughout the camp, kids will learn how to work as a team, gain stage confidence and produce their own shows—all while having fun with new friends. Three different weeks are offered, focusing on three core comedy disciplines. With flexible enrollment options, parents can choose to enroll their kiddos in the full three weeks or any of the individual weeks. Each week concludes with a showcase, giving students the chance to shine on stage at Last Best Comedy. Join us for a summer filled with laughter.
Language and Culture Camps
Ç info@wlimt.org
Ç (406) 414-6419
Ç www.wlimt.org/summer-camps
Expand your child’s world. World Language Initiative-Montana (WLI) offers three weeks of dynamic and engaging language and culture camps for kids entering grades K through 5. Spanish, French, Mandarin and Arabic camps will leave your child dreaming of traveling the globe. Camps are filled with games, arts and crafts, songs, making native treats and walking field trips — all led by experienced language coaches. Held at the WLI classrooms at the Emerson Center, camps run Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Lone Mountain Summer Camps
Ç admin@lonemountain.biz
Ç (406) 587-1180
Ç www.lonemountain.biz
Lone Mountain offers a fun variety of summer camp options. Everything from KidVentures camp for little ones to Campapalooza (an all-around day camp offering swimming in the afternoon sessions). Join Trampoline Camp, Gymnastics Camp and don’t forget about swimming lessons. They also have camps for Tiny Dancers (preschool dance) and Ninja Camp. Lone Mountain can keep your kids active, engaged and having fun this summer. Whether you’re looking for fun and movement or progressing with skills, Lone Mountain has you covered. Camp offerings vary by week, so check out the website or call for details.
Magic Tree House camps at Middle Creek Montessori
Ç info@middlecreekmontessori.org
Ç (406) 587-3817
Ç www.middlecreekmontessori.org/ montessori-summer-forms
Join Middle Creek Montessori as they explore the adventures of Jack and Annie through the Magic Treehouse book series by Mary Pope Osbourne. Each week, camp will focus on one of these captivating books. Campers will work on literacy skills, learn more about each book’s theme and enjoy the natural world on the Middle Creek campus. Enroll in any or all of the eight available weeks.
MBC Summer Programming
Ç info@montanaballet.org
Ç (406) 582-8702
Ç www.montanaballet.org
Montana Ballet Company offers a vibrant lineup of summer programs for dancers of all ages. Open summer classes are available for ages 2 through adult, while Sleeping Beauty Summer invites young dancers ages 4–8 to explore creativity and movement. Aspiring dancers can deepen their training through MBC’s summer intensives, designed to help students grow, learn and refine their artistry under the guidance of exceptional faculty. Programs include Dancing Under the Big Sky for ages 12–18 and MBC’s Junior Intensive for ages 8–11.
Montana Outdoor Science School Summer Camps
Ç education@outdoorscience.org
Ç (406) 740-6677
Ç www.outdoorscience.org
These well-loved, weeklong camps include various outdoor themes: animals, geology, outdoor skills, water ecology, nature photography and more. Montana Outdoor Science School looks forward to another exciting summer full of learning and adventures in our beautiful Montana home. Be sure to sign up early, as camps fill quickly. Please email education@outdoorscience.org with any questions.
Montana Surf Soccer Camps
Ç recreational@montanasurf.org
Ç (406) 600-8146
Ç www.montanasurf.org
This summer, Montana Surf Soccer Club invites players of all skill levels to experience fun, highenergy soccer camps led by a professional coaching staff and guided by the club’s technical philosophy. Summer camps focus on skill development, creativity, confidence and a love for the game through engaging activities, small-sided games and age-appropriate training. Whether your child is new to soccer or looking to sharpen their skills, Montana Surf summer camps provide a positive, safe and exciting environment where players learn, grow and make lasting memories, on and off the field.
MSU Peaks and Potentials
Ç justin.gibson3@montana.edu
Ç (406) 994-6633
Ç www.ato.montana.edu/peaks
MSU Peaks and Potentials invites rising fifth to seventh grade students to the MSU campus for a week of hands-on learning and unforgettable fun. Participants will enjoy engaging educational workshops and exciting activities like robotics with Legos, wilderness survival skills, painting, hiking and s’mores, swimming at the MSU Wellness Center and so much more.
With both daytime commuter and overnight resident options available, families can choose the experience that fits best. Join MSU Peaks and Potentials June 15–19 to explore your passions and make new friends in a safe, supportive and inspiring environment.
Museum of the Rockies Summer Camps
Ç programs@montana.edu
Ç (406) 994-2251
Ç www.museumoftherockies.org/ summer-camps
Join Museum of the Rockies for STEAM-themed summer camps for grades 1 to 8, offering immersive programs in paleontology, history, natural sciences, art, physics and Yellowstone. Campers learn from museum experts and enthusiastic instructors while exploring exhibits and enjoying the outdoors. It’s the perfect place to stay active, make new friends and create lasting memories.
one. Soccer Schools Summer Day Camps
Ç info@onesoccerschools.com
Ç (805) 303-1327
Ç www.onesoccerschools.com/day-camps
one. Soccer Schools day camps use gamebased learning and expert coaching to improve scoring goals, master 1v1 situations and elevate soccer IQ with themed exercises designed to enhance decision-making under pressure.
OptOut Summer Club
Ç admin@optoutdoors.school
Ç (406) 595-7616
Ç www.optoutdoors.school/summer-club
Join OptOut Summer Club, where experienced elementary educators turn every sunny day into a blend of learning, laughter and exploration. They keep curious minds sharp and hands busy with exciting STEM challenges, creative crafts and interactive games—all designed to beat the summer slide and spark discovery. With their very own Magic School Bus ready to roll, kids will explore the best of a Montana summer—one adventure at a time.
Pet Pals Summer Day Camp
Ç camp@heartofthevalleyshelter.org
Ç (406) 388-9399
Ç www.heartofthevalleyshelter.org
This seven-week summer day camp is for children (6–12 years old) who love pets! Campers learn the importance of compassionate pet care through time with pets, games, crafts, humane education lessons and a wide variety of guest speakers. Each week children will have the opportunity to interact with a variety of pets. The camp is Monday through Friday with drop-off between 8:30 and 9 a.m. and pick up between 3 and 3:30 p.m. The weekly cost of camp tuition is $270. Need-based scholarships are also available. To apply for a scholarship, contact the Volunteer & Outreach Manager.
Ridge Athletic Clubs Summer Camp
Ç camps@ridgeathletic.com
Ç (406) 586-2816
Ç www.ridgeathletic.com/kids/camp/ bozeman-summer-camps
Give your kids an unforgettable, movement-filled summer at Ridge Athletic Club. Summer Camps run June 15-August 21 and feature exciting weekly themes based on foundational movements designed to keep kids active, engaged and having fun. Camps are available for ages 3–5 (half day) and 6–10 (full day), with flexible options to attend individual weeks or the entire summer. From sports and swimming to speed, agility and games, each week brings new energy, friendships and adventures.
Rhythms World Drum Camps
Ç chet@rhythmdrums.com
Ç (406) 580-8229
Ç www.rhythmdrums.com/camps
Rhythms World Drum Camps are held in Bozeman (at The Emerson). Children ages 5-12 are invited to join Chet Leach (a.k.a. Mr. Chet) for weeklong drum camps. These summer camps will include drumming from Africa, Brazil, Cuba and Egypt. Your child will learn about world culture through storytelling, games and, of course, lots of drumming!
Rocky Creek Education Summer
Farm Camp
Ç rockycreekeducation@gmail.com
Ç (406) 599-2361
Ç www.gallatinvalleybotanical.com
At Rocky Creek Summer Farm Camp, their mission is to engage campers with local agriculture and landscapes by inspiring connection to the land, sense of place and confidence as members of a natural community. The education staff is committed to experiential teaching, connecting with nature, working cooperatively and intentional play. Many things on the farm might be new or intimidating to campers, and the staff finds it valuable to gently encourage campers to try new things and engage with new experiences they encounter. Camp is held from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday weekly at Rocky Creek Farm.
Rooks
Dungeons & Dragons RPG Camp
Dungeons & Dragons RPG Camp
Ç rooksgamesandmore@gmail.com
Ç (406) 556-2153
Ç www.rooksgamesandmore.com/pages/rooksrpg-camp
Delve into one of the most immersive experiences available: Dungeons & Dragons. This camp is designed to show kids how the worlds of Dungeons & Dragons can be explored and enjoyed. Campers will learn all the fundamentals, from building a character and playing the game to learning the core rules and even how to be a Dungeon Master. Rook's staff has spent countless years rolling dice and casting spells, so they would never lead any of your little heroes astray.
2740 W Main St rooksgamesandmore@gmail.com 406-556-2153
Spire Summer Camps
Ç kids@spireclimbing.com
Ç (406) 586-0706
Ç www.spireclimbing.com/summer-climbingcamps
Spire summer camps are a great way for children ages 5–16 to enjoy rock climbing in a fun, structured environment. At Spire, beginners learn the essentials of the sport while kids with prior experience take their skills to the next level. These are half-day, weeklong camps with tons of climbing time, as well as challenge courses, daily snack, outside play time and much more. Instructors engage campers in fun, challenging activities designed to improve strength, confidence, focus, trust and teamwork.
Tinworks Art Summer Camps
Ç angela.yonke@tinworksart.org
Ç www.tinworksart.org
This is your invitation to explore art with play and creation at Tinworks. Experiment with materials, learn to cultivate creative thinking and showcase your new skills. Activities and topics include sculpture, photography, drawing, printmaking, ceramics, improv, performance, toy making, puppets, costumes, history, science, storytelling, circus and magic. Students will tour the exhibition to observe and discuss artworks, take short field trips and create multiple projects to take home. Camps are led by arts professionals Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Six camps in total; maximum 16 campers per session.
Twin Eagles Wilderness Adventure Summer Camps
Ç office@twineagles.org
Ç (208) 265-3685
Ç www.twineagles.org
Discover epic fun, adventure and connection at Twin Eagles day camps for kids ages 6–13. These 100% outdoor camps immerse children in forests, creeks and meadows through hands-on exploration, play and skill-building in small groups led by caring, experienced mentors. Campers build deep relationships with nature through games, stories, songs, wildlife tracking, nature crafts, edible and medicinal plants and age-appropriate wilderness skills. Twin Eagles focuses on mentoring the whole child, nurturing confidence, curiosity, resilience and a strong sense of belonging in the natural world.
UnCamp at Rockhaven
Ç info@rockhavencamp.org
Ç (406) 451-7092
Ç www.rockhavencamp.org
Rockhaven UnCamp is an innovative summer camp program where naturebased free play is front and center. This is a safe environment where creativity, curiosity and imagination can flourish, where kids can be kids, get a little (or a lot) dirty and connect with nature and fellowship together. UnCamp at Rockhaven takes the expectations and strict schedules out of camp and puts back in genuine play, natural curiosity and epic messes. Expect your camper to come home with muddy faces, sticky fingers and awesome memories that will last a lifetime.
Windhorse Equine Learning
Ç programs@ windhorseequinelearning.org
Ç (406) 522-3906
Ç www.windhorseequinelearning.org
Windhorse Equine Learning offers a unique camp experience centered on leadership and partnership. Kids learn beginner horsemanship and riding skills while practicing communication, trust and respect with their horses and peers. Working alongside a powerful animal builds confidence and self-awareness, teaching campers how to be effective leaders and partners. Camps run from 9 a.m. to noon, are open to grades 3–8 and require no prior horse experience.
Yellowstone Alliance Adventures
Ç office@yaacmap.org
Ç (406) 763-4727
Ç www.yaacamp.org
For more than six decades, YAA has provided youth with unforgettable camp experiences just south of Bozeman. They offer day camps, overnight camps and specialty camps for campers entering first through 12th grade, blending active outdoor fun with intentional faith experiences. Whether it’s a camper’s first time away from home or they’re a seasoned YAA veteran, each week at camp is designed to stretch the heart, sharpen friendships and create memories that last a lifetime.
Youth Writing Camp & Young Writer’s Camp
Ç yellowstonewp@ gmail.com
Ç (406) 994-6550
Ç www.ato.montana.edu/ywp/youth
The Yellowstone Writing Project’s summer writing camps are multi-day “unschooled” writing workshops. Youth Writing Camp is for those entering grades 5-12, and Young Writer’s Camp is for children entering grades 3 and 4. In both camps, writers explore various genres, play with form and language and share their writing within a supportive community of peers and licensed educators—the Yellowstone Writing Project teacher consultants. The program includes writing on the move, writing games, writing encouragement and feedback throughout the writing process. Come write with us!
ExplorationWorks Summer Camps
Ç info@explorationworks.org
Ç (406) 457-1800
Ç www.explorationworks.org/ summer-camps
Spend the summer as a scientist and explore the world around you. ExplorationWorks is offering summer camps for kids ages 4 and up. Camps begin the week of June 15 and run through the week of August 17. Registration is now open. View the full lineup and register at ExplorationWorks.org/summer-camps.
Grandstreet Summer Theatre School
Ç marianne@grandstreettheatre. com
Ç (406) 442-4270
Ç www.grandstreettheatre.com
Grandstreet Theatre School offers a wide variety of summer camps. Other than the Theatre for Social Skills camp, camps are sold out for summer of 2026.
HYSA Summer Camps
Ç registrar@helenasoccer.org
Ç (773) 556-6646
Ç www.helenasoccer.org
Helena Youth Soccer Association camps are designed for players of all ages and abilities, meeting each athlete where they are and helping them grow, improve and reach their full potential—on and off the field.
Joy Meadows Farm Days
Ç JackalopeJumpRentals@gmail. com
Ç (406) 422-9358
Ç www.JoyMeadowsFarm.com
Join Joy Meadows Farm in Helena for many family-friendly adventures. Take in the 360 mountain views and enjoy the tipi lodge, park, mercantile and petting zoo and attend the 2026 summer fun activities including bounce houses, Native American story time, live turtle show, lizard and python day, carnival day, Disney dress up and street dance, zoology exhibits and the Queen City Renaissance and Fairy mini festival. Hug baby goats, pet the mini horses and more. School, summer camp, daycare groups and birthday party bookings welcome.
BETH KENNEDY STUDIO
For 30 + years the studio has a little bit of EVERYTHING ARTY all summer long
$200/WEEK • PERSONALIZED FOR YOUR CREATIVE CAMPER SMALL CLASS SIZE: 8 TO 1 RATIO MON - THUR 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (WITH LATE PICK UPS) Book now: Redartgirl1987@me.com (406) 570-6404 (ask about our neighborhood deal)
THE DISCOVERY LAB
Space for Pre-K programs, camps, after-school classes, workshops, and more!
THE ANYWHERE ROOM
Little Fox Learning Center
Ç christina@littlefoxlearningcenter.com
Ç (406) 868-4468
Ç www.littlefoxhelena.com
Journey across the globe and beyond with cutting-edge Igloo Vision technology.
995 Carousel Way | Helena, MT 59601 (406) 457-1800 | explorationworks.org
Little Fox Learning Center balances fun, engaging and educational curriculum with children’s favorite outings and activities, as well as time to learn to relax and rest. Primary focuses include but are not limited to: art, music, science, physical and outdoor education, farming/animals, gardening/plant identification, building, field trips, social-emotional skills, cooking and more. Children work hard during the school year; summer should be full of learning new skills and making wonderful memories. Mentoring programs for ages 13-15 are also offered.
Montana Learning Center
Ç MontanaLearningCenter@gmail.com
Ç (406) 475-3638
Ç www.montanalearning.org/student-programs
Get ready for a summer of curiosity, creativity and campfire stars at the Montana Learning Center. Located on the shores of Canyon Ferry Lake, MLC’s hands-on STEM camps invite kids to launch rockets, solve mysteries, explore Montana’s wild landscapes and cool off with recreation on the lake. Campers also gaze through powerful telescopes under some of the darkest skies in the state. From science experiments to outdoor adventures, kids learn by doing—while making friends and lifelong memories. Summer at MLC isn’t just camp… it’s an adventure in discovery.
Stonetree Climbing Camp
Ç youthprograms@ stonetreeclimbing.com
Ç (406) 543-0325
Ç www.stonetreeclimbing.com/ summercamps
Stonetree Climbing Center offers day camps for ages 6–18, with no climbing experience needed. Younger kids (6–11) enjoy a week of indoor bouldering, games on and off the wall, arts and crafts and confidence-building fun. Teens (12+) tackle outdoor roped climbing at Helena crags. While exploring, campers learn climbing techniques, belaying and “Leave No Trace” principles. All Stonetree camps challenge comfort zones, spark friendships and inspire a lifelong passion for climbing and the outdoors.
La Châtelaine
Ownership Transfers to Son, Ethan Spratt
Our family’s little chocolate shop is an anchor in a maelstrom of rapid growth and change in Bozeman, Montana. We are happy to report that while it seems like everything old is giving way to new, La Châtelaine will stay in the hands of the people who endeavor to bring French chocolate to this small mountain town. My parents, Shannon and Wlady Grochowski, have proudly passed the ownership to their son and my brother, Ethan Spratt.
Naturally, these moments of bold transition provoke nostalgia and reflection. I have found myself (already a self-proclaimed sentimentalist) transported through memory to my youth, when La Châtelaine made its debut. Its creative shepherdess, my mother — a true artist and visionary entrepreneur — saw a place for a chocolaterie in this notoriously rugged yet foodie-driven town of Bozeman. She started as a one-woman show, putting everything on the line. Tempering the chocolate into the night, selling it herself during the day, all while mothering. As a new mom myself, I find this both bewildering and inspiring. Fueled by the energy that only comes from true passion, she launched headfirst and shortly after was joined by Wlady, her husband and my beloved stepdad. A Frenchman from Paris with a love of confectionery equal to the task of working with my mom, he quit his job in network management to co-create decadent desserts, which would go on to win many
awards. Together, they grew the inventory one chocolate at a time, with five kids in tow. There is something special about growing up in a family business, and many of my childhood memories are tethered to the chocolate shop. Its first location when it opened in 2006, was tucked into an old white building just off West Main, next to what used to be Zydeco Cafe. While our parents devoted themselves fully to this venture, the shop became another home for us kids. Whether it was doing schoolwork in the office, memorizing the different names of the chocolates (Nipples of Venus always made us giggle), or picking up a dish shift with our friends, many of whom found their first jobs at La Châtelaine, we were there often. I remember my mom’s impeccable playlist which she had curated and burned onto a collection of CDs. The rhythm of the chocolate process — mixing ganache, enrobing, decorating, trimming, plating — seemed to all move to the soundtrack of bustling gypsy jazz played by the likes of Django Reinhardt.
Holidays were always the busiest season for the shop and therefore even more special for us kids. We hung garland or paper hearts in turns, filled boxes and tied what felt like thousands of ribbons. Sometimes old employees would return just for this season when extra hands were needed. Cheeky jokes were cracked, and staff Christmas parties were notoriously festive (perhaps a bit too much so).
Another era of La Châtelaine began in 2013 when we moved to our current location on Rouse near downtown. This allowed for a larger kitchen and more space in general. Prior, a smaller “petite” location also opened in the
Baxter Hotel lobby in November 2008, where people could find the iconic orange boxes or just a few chocolates after dinner at Ted’s Montana Grill. Back when the Bite of Bozeman was still rocking (bring it back!) I remember my younger brothers, one of them Ethan himself, running around frantically inside our little booth making frozen hot chocolate as fast as they could. The Christmas Stroll and the Farmers Market hold similar recollections: My siblings and I selling chocolate brownies or chocolate-dipped strawberries until they sold out for the evening. La Châtelaine had slowly become a permanent presence at these core community events. These memories are precious, and something which strikes me now is how healthy it was for us to be involved in the shop from a young age. We learned teamwork, spent more time with our parents and were shaped socially by working alongside many adults of various ages. Each person impacted us in big and small ways, and us them, I’m sure.
This new chapter with my brother at the helm will undoubtedly bring more fresh experiences and memories. Bozeman is not the same town it was in 2006, and the landscape of commerce has changed with it. Although we are all grownup now and scattered about, we support Ethan the way only a family can. He has the creative ingenuity and grit needed to carry on the mission of La Châtelaine. Personal, place-based, family businesses are the backbone of a real community. They weave webs of connection, and touch the lives of many in ways that hollow investor-backed luxury chains never could. This consideration is more important now than ever, as the Gallatin Valley enters a new era of its own.
Raegan Spratt, La Châtelaine Chocolat Co.
WRITTEN BY RAEGAN SPRATT
Shannon and Ethan working the farmers market many moons ago
Shannon and Wlady in the early days of the shop
Bozeman Public Library
baby Storytime
Features 15 minutes of songs and movement, one short board book and 45 minutes of sensory play, process art and gross motor exploration. Especially for kids from birth to 35 months and their caregivers. Held every Tuesday and Thursday at 10:15 a.m. in the Community Room.
Toddler & Preschool Storytime
Features 20 minutes of songs and movement, one or two full-length picture books and 40 minutes of sensory play, process art and fine motor exploration. Kids may be invited to use tools like scissors, glue or tweezers during this program and may handle materials that are choking hazards for babies. Especially for kids ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers. Held every Wednesday and Friday at 10:15 a.m. in the Community Room.
Family Storytime
Features 20 minutes of songs, stories and movement and 40 minutes of playtime. Library staff varies this program week to week to meet the developmental needs of the attending little ones. Especially for kids birth through 5 and their caregivers. Every Saturday at 10:15 a.m., check out the Bozeman Public Library events calendar for current location.
Symphony Storytime
The Bozeman Symphony invites families with young children—especially those ages 3 to 5— to experience Symphony Storytime, a free and engaging program presented in partnership with the Bozeman Public Library in its Community Room at 626 E. Main St.
Symphony Storytime is designed to inspire a love of music, reading and creative discovery in young children. Each session coincides with the library’s regular Toddler and Preschool Storytime at 10:15 a.m. There is a special guest reader and a live performance by a Bozeman Symphony musician bringing a beloved storybook to life in an engaging, multisensory experience.
The 2026 season Symphony Storytime dates:
Ç WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22
Ç WEDNESDAY, MAY 13
Ç WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
Follow the Bozeman Symphony on Facebook and Instagram for updates on featured instruments, musicians and readers.
For more information, visit www.bozemansymphony.org or call 406-585-9774.
SpongeBob the Musical
APRIL 17 & 18, 2026
In its 31st year, Anderson School and its Tonynominated theater program proudly present the live-action, high-energy, under-the-sea adventure of SpongeBob the Musical!
Dive down into the colorful world of Bikini Bottom, where SpongeBob and his friends race against time to save their beloved town from disaster. Join the eternally optimistic sponge, his loyal starfish bestie, a cynical squid, a brilliant squirrel scientist and a money-loving crab as they discover that the power of friendship and community can overcome any obstacle. The show is noted for featuring a diverse musical score with songs from various artists like Cyndi Lauper, John Legend and Panic! At The Disco. SpongeBob the Musical, quite a digression from the animated television show, enjoyed a healthy Broadway run and was nominated for 12 Tony Awards. The staged show serves as an allegory for the importance of optimism, cooperation and inclusion in facing a crisis.
This production of Spongebob the Musical is led by the dynamic duo of Stephani Lourie and Laurie Kinna and their incredibly talented staff production crew of dreamers, designers, thinkers and doers. The cast includes more than 60 kids between fourth and sixth grade who devote three months before, during and after school to hone skills in preparation for a production that far exceeds expectations of most middle school, even high school, plays. More recent Anderson productions have included Peter Pan, Oliver!, Seussical, Matilda, The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast and Fiddler on the Roof
Performances are April 17 and 18 on the Emerson Cultural Center’s Crawford Theatre stage. Show times are Friday, April 17 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 18 at noon and 7 p.m.
All seating is reserved. Tickets are on sale now at https://link.andersonmt.org/theatre, and at the door (unless sold out!). Cost is $12 for the main floor and $10 for the balcony.
Friday, April 17, 7pm
Saturday, April 18, noon & 7pm
APRIL 27-MAY 3, 2026
The Downtown Bozeman Association and participating downtown restaurants, pubs and cafés are excited to bring you Downtown Bozeman Restaurant Week. This seven-day event will be filled with good eats and drinks, off-menu specials, exclusive dining experiences and chances to win some amazing prizes from local sponsors A list of participating establishments, as well as all the specials and fun to be found, are available at downtownbozeman.org.
Summer Art Walks
JUNE 12, JULY 10, AUGUST 14 AND SEPTEMBER 11, 2026
Art Walks occur on the second Friday of the month June through September from 6 to 8 p.m. at art galleries and businesses downtown. Participating businesses will feature local artists and often provide hors d’oeuvres and complimentary refreshments. Also, keep an eye out for local musicians performing as your stroll Main Street in downtown Bozeman. Visit downtownbozeman.org for a list of a list of participating businesses and artists.
Daniel Tiger is coming to Bozeman,
and he wants to meet YOU!
JUNE 13, 2026
On Saturday, June 13, Montana PBS will host a free annual family event called Neighbor Day for families with children ages 3 to 8, at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds in Bozeman, from 9 a.m.-noon. This is the third year Montana PBS has hosted this event to help families in Montana kick off summer learning. Neighbor Day events are hosted by PBS stations across the country to connect families with local resources while meeting beloved PBS KIDS characters. Montana PBS is Montana’s public television station located in Bozeman and has been broadcasting PBS programming across the state for more than 40 years. Neighbor Day is a collaboration between multiple departments at Montana PBS devoted to supporting families to learn and grow with PBS programming.
When families enter the building on Neighbor Day, they are greeted by a member of the Montana PBS staff and given a free tote bag to carry with them throughout the event. These tote bags are soon filled with information and freebies collected from tables throughout the building. More than 20 nonprofit and municipal organizations are available on Neighbor Day to meet families. They set up activities for kids to play and learn as they make their way around the room. Organizations you can expect to see at Neighbor Day include Big Brothers Big Sisters, YMCA, U.S. National Forest Service—and many more. All kids and their grown-ups get to make crafts, play games, climb in and out of fire trucks and hold rabbits on their laps.
The headliner of Neighbor Day is Daniel Tiger! Kids come from all over the state to meet this beloved character from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood— a spin-off of the popular PBS program Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is an award-winning show focused on teaching kids about how to manage their feelings and cooperate with friends and family. Daniel and his family have delighted audiences for over a decade. For many kids, meeting Daniel Tiger and taking a photo with him at Neighbor Day is the best part of the whole experience. Montana PBS gives all kids who come to Neighbor Day a souvenir pair of Daniel Tiger ears to wear home, along with free resources for summer learning featuring PBS KIDS programs.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 13, 2026, and plan to join PBS in Bozeman for a day filled with fun, friends and family. Neighbor Day will be held at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds at the same time as the farmers market from 9 a.m.-noon. Won’t you please be our neighbor?
2026 Big Sky Country State Fair
JULY 15–29, 2026
Once a year, the Big Sky Country State Fair comes to town and is truly an experience unlike anything else. There’s only one place where you and your family can ride a dinosaur, experience a variety of entertainment like lumberjacks and acrobats, pet an alpaca, compete against your friends and family in Minute to Win It games, and so much more all with a standard fair admission fee.
You heard that right, you can ride a dinosaur—an ankylosaurus to be exact! The theme of this year’s fair is Adventure and will bring all sorts of fun and educational entertainment celebrating these prehistoric beasts. The Big Sky Country State Fair is partnering with Museum of the Rockies and Rextooth Studios to bring you two shows a day – Dinosaur Fight Night and Drawing the Dead – where you can ask the question, “Who would win in a fight between dinosaurs?” and learn how to draw these ancient creatures. There will also be a fun show, three times a day, from Prehistoric Nation featuring interactive dinos, a baby dinosaur to take photos with and the previously mentioned rideable ankylosaurus.
Beyond this thrilling dive into dinos, your favorite fair entertainment is back: the petting zoo, agricultural displays and 4-H and FFA animals (please note the barns are closed on Sunday). The Treasure State Stage will feature Tyzen the Hypnotist, Aaron Radatz the mind-bending magician and Break-A-Boyz the amazing street dancers. The Big Sky Plaza will have the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack show and the Accidental Acrobats. Seriously, where else can you have this much fun for the price of $12 per adult ticket, $5 for kids 6-12, and free for kids 5 and under?
The carnival is back, of course. This year the Big Sky Country State Fair is bringing in a new company so things will look a little different. All ticketing, whether unlimited rides or single credits, will be on a wristband that can be reloaded at the fair at the quick and easy self-serve kiosks. You can save $5 by buying your carnival tickets online at 406StateFair.com before July 16 at noon. Check out the fair’s social media to see a list of the rides, number of required tickets and height requirements so you can be prepared as possible. Exciting news – the carousel is back!
If you’re a fan of live music, concerts on the mainstage this year are:
Ç WEDNESDAY, JULY 15: CHASE RICE, PRESTON COOPER & NEON UNION
Ç THURSDAY, JULY 16: MORGAN WADE AND AMERICAN AUTHORS
Ç FRIDAY, JULY 17: STONE TEMPLE PILOTS AND LOCAL H
All concert tickets also include your admission to the fair. You can have a full day of fair fun, head home for a nap (make sure to get your wrist stamped on the way out) and come back in the evening for some dinner on Food Row and a night of live music. The all-ages biergarten keeps the party going with some late-night local bands after the mainstage concerts finish.
If the hassle of parking is keeping you from attending the fair, use the complimentary Park and Ride. This fare-free service picks up at Gallatin High School and runs in continual loops from 3–11 p.m. daily, dropping you off right at the front gate.
This is only a fraction of the fun available to guests at the Big Sky Country State Fair. You can find out more and buy tickets at www.406StateFair.com. As always, kids 5 and under are free.
Keeping It Real
ARTICLE & PHOTOS BLAIR FJESETH
I sit in the outfield pretending I am calm.
The Montana air is sharp. It is April, after all. My son’s turn is up. He pulls on his helmet and jogs toward the plate like he has done this forever. I smile. Inside, I am calculating risks and replaying every headline or TikTok video about sports injuries I have ever read or seen. This is the same feeling I have when my daughter plays soccer, the boys suit up for football and, quite frankly, this is probably how I felt when they first started to walk. That is the mom brain, I suppose. Always worried about the heart that I painstakingly grew from scratch that is now living and walking outside of my body.
I love brain science. I read research papers all the time and follow podcasts on the latest findings. I am intrigued by the discoveries we are making each day about our core systems. So, when I feel like I want to bubble wrap my kids before they head out for sports and other physical activities, I remind myself what science tells us about brain development and sports.
The obvious fact we all know instinctively is that when our children move their bodies, they are building their brains. However, the specifics of what and how that happens are pretty amazing.
For years, we separated learning from athletics. School was for the brain. Sports were for the body.
That is not what neuroscience says anymore. Physical activity increases levels of brainderived neurotrophic factor, often called BDNF. I tell my kids this is fertilizer for the brain. They, being descended from a ranching family, say, “Do not we fertilize with BS?” A smug little reminder that the part of our brain that controls wit and sass is alive and well in my household. But I digress.
BDNF helps neurons grow stronger connections. It supports memory formation. It improves learning capacity. Imaging studies show that children who move regularly have measurable differences in areas of the brain responsible for memory and higher-level thinking. The hippocampus grows stronger. The hippocampus is the brain’s memory maker. It takes the messy, fast-moving moments of childhood, the math lesson, the locker room joke, the play that almost worked, and files them away so they can be remembered later. Think of it as the brain’s internal scrapbooker, constantly deciding what gets saved and what fades.
The prefrontal cortex, which manages impulse control and decision making, becomes more efficient. It is one of the last parts of the brain to fully mature, which means it is especially shaped by experiences in childhood. Regular physical activity strengthens the neural networks in this region, supporting better selfcontrol, focus and resilience not just in the present but also into the adult years. In other words, when kids move their bodies, they are quietly training the part of the brain that will one day help them navigate hard conversations, big choices and adult responsibilities. That is impressive, if I do say so myself.
I find this fascinating because we were always told to sit still in school, when perhaps we should have been moving our bodies before learning those lessons.
There is something uniquely powerful about structured sports. Team sports demand quick processing, anticipation, communication and emotional regulation. A child must follow a play, adjust when it breaks down and manage frustration when it does not go as planned.
That is executive function training. Executive function includes working memory, attention control and flexible thinking. These are the
skills that help children sit through math class, navigate friendships and eventually manage adult responsibilities. Research suggests that children who participate in team sports show stronger executive function compared with peers who are less active. It is not about producing star athletes. It is about strengthening the mental muscles that help kids thrive everywhere else.
Lastly, there is also the emotional side. Physical activity increases serotonin and dopamine. It lowers cortisol, the stress hormone. That chemical shift helps children regulate anxiety and bounce back from disappointment.
Sports also offer built-in lessons in resilience. Losing. Trying again. Supporting teammates. Accepting feedback. Those experiences are uncomfortable. They are also essential.
But there is an important caveat. The environment matters. Encouraging coaches and healthy expectations amplify the benefits. Pressure, shame or toxic dynamics can undermine them. The brain responds to joy and challenge. It does not thrive under chronic stress.
Here is the part that gives me the most comfort. The science is not limited to just sports. Dance. Skiing. Martial arts. Hiking. Biking along Montana’s incredible trail system. Playing tag until the sun disappears behind Mount Helena. All of it counts. What matters most is consistent, meaningful movement. The brain loves challenge and engagement. You do not need a varsity letter for that to happen — a sentiment I share with my kids ad nauseam.
As a mom, I still hold tension, whether we are rafting, playing football, soccer or even a robust game of tag. Because again, mom brain! I will always worry about their safety. I remind myself that risk exists in many forms, including the risk of raising children who never test their limits.
Science does not remove the hard parts of parenting. But it does offer reassurance, at least for me.
Long after the jerseys are packed away and the cleats no longer fit, those brain connections remain. And maybe that is what I remind myself of when the lights flick on and my heart rate rises.
They are not just playing.
They are growing.
Blair Fjeseth is a working professional and proud Montana mom. You can reach her at blairparker.inc@gmail.com.
