Montana students take three day horsepacking trip into Bob Marshall Wilderness

Nine students from Ovando Public School in Montana traveled into the Bob Marshall Wilderness for a three day horsepacking trip in late August 2026.

The students, who range from fourth through eighth grade, traveled into the wilderness area which is located near Glacier National Park. Rich Ranch Outfitters provides the pack animals and support for the trip every two years. During the trip, students rode horses and learned various outdoor skills from local guides.

Bill Hooker and his wife Deena led demonstrations on horse handling, using a crosscut saw, and identifying grizzly bear prints. The students also learned about the history of the area, including the Big Burn of 1912 and the Wilderness Act of 1964. They spent time hiking through burnt timber from a 2017 wildfire, building handmade boats, and writing cowboy poetry. Andrea Tougas, one of the school's teachers, accompanied the students to facilitate the experience.

The school, which houses only 19 students in two classrooms, uses this trip as a way to build trusting relationships outside of academic pressure. The outing allows the small school to provide unique experiences that larger institutions cannot easily replicate.