Work with Yellowstone River scientists and build real-world technology to protect the Montana wilderness!

At Big Sky Code//Camp, our Code//Campers will spend their first week learning to code and working with local scientists to address a unique problem in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. They will then spend six days technology free hiking and camping in the extraordinary Beartooth Mountains.

Code//Campers will develop lifelong friendships, real-world coding skills, and a deep appreciation of the natural world around them.

Code//Campers will be introduced to five river health experts, who will each present a current challenge facing the Yellowstone River. In small groups, Code//Campers will choose a water resource problem to solve and work through their solution informed by our 20-hour coding curriculum. Their goal: A functional mobile app or game that presents a solution or raises awareness of the issue.

Code//Campers will present their ideas (and their working technology) to that same panel of experts, who will provide feedback and judge the solutions. Winners will have their app promoted by the agency whose problem they tackled.

In addition to learning new skills, Code//Campers will build relationships with local experts and experience the wilderness in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem as they gain a robust and empathetic appreciation for the natural world they are seeking to protect.

In week 2, Code//Campers will enjoy a life changing hiking, camping and backpacking adventure through the breathtaking Beartooth Mountain range, ending with whitewater rafting on the exciting Yellowstone River.

Over the next 7 days, Code//Campers will learn from our team of experienced backcountry guides as they prepare to enter the backcountry (Days 1&2), hike and camp in the Beartooth Mountains (Days 2 – 5), whitewater raft down the Gallatin River (Day 6) before heading home on Day 7.

This fun-filled adventure will expose Code//Campers to the natural beauty of Montana while telling stories on the trail, learning about the region and enjoying the serenity of the area’s wilderness, all while keeping an eye out for local wildlife! The trip wraps up with a celebratory final banquet with our entire #HikeCampCode staff before heading home the next day.