WILDERNESS INTENSIVES

ARE YOU READY FOR AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE LIVING GOD?
Week-long backpacking expeditions that forge resilience and ignite transformation.

OUR 2025 COURSE OFFERINGS

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RITE OF PASSAGE INTENSIVE

JULY 12 - 18
Rite of Passage backpacking trip for fathers and sons ages 12 to 14. Experience what few people ever see while becoming more effective in leadership and relationships.

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WILDERNESS INTENSIVE

JULY 22 - 30 (SOLD OUT)
Open to men and women, the Open Enrollment Wilderness Intensive takes a small group of participants and their instructors on a backpacking expedition of a lifetime.

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FREEDOM FIGHTER INTENSIVE

AUGUST 9 - 17
Veteran instructors take other veterans, active duty military, and first responders on an epic backpacking expedition in the mountains of Montana on our The Freedom Fighter Intensive (men only).

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MARRIAGE INTENSIVE 1

SEPTEMBER 20 - 26 (SOLD OUT)
Connect with other couples on Mountain Gateway’s Ranch in Montana while spending quality time cultivating your marriage. This retreat style Intensive is not a backpacking course.

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MARRIAGE INTENSIVE 2

SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 4 (SOLD OUT)
Connect with other couples on Mountain Gateway’s Ranch in Montana while spending quality time cultivating your marriage. This retreat style Intensive is not a backpacking course.

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COURSE TYPES + DESCRIPTIONS

Click on any of the courses below to read more!

WILDERNESS INTENSIVES

Step into the stunning Bob Marshall Wilderness for an unforgettable journey of transformation. This course challenges participants to grow spiritually, physically, and mentally through a rugged backpacking expedition. Designed for men and women, you’ll deepen your relationship with God, develop essential leadership skills, and experience His presence in the beauty of creation. No matter your experience level, this adventure will equip you to thrive in life’s toughest challenges.

MARRIAGE INTENSIVES

Reconnect and strengthen your marriage while staying in the comfort of our cozy log cabin at Mountain Gateway’s Ranch in Montana. This retreat-style course is not a backpacking expedition but includes amazing day hikes and opportunities to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of God’s creation. Through guided teaching, meaningful discussions, and quality time together, you’ll leave refreshed, reconnected, and spiritually renewed as a couple. 

FREEDOM FIGHTER INTENSIVES

Exclusively for veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders, this epic backpacking expedition combines physical challenge with spiritual renewal. Led by experienced instructors, you’ll trek through the wilderness alongside those who understand the unique pressures of your role. In this safe, supportive environment, discover resilience, brotherhood, and an opportunity to hear God’s voice in the stillness of creation. 

YOUTH INTENSIVES

Youth Intensives are designed to inspire and challenge young people through wilderness adventures tailored to their age and needs. From father-son Rite of Passage expeditions that foster connection and growth to teen-focused courses that build leadership and faith, these experiences combine outdoor challenges with opportunities for spiritual transformation. Each course is designed to create lasting memories and equip youth for life’s journey. 

CUSTOM INTENSIVES

Available only upon request, Custom Intensives offer a personalized experience for churches, teams, or organizations. Whether you’re seeking leadership development, spiritual growth, or team building, our expert instructors will design a transformative course tailored to your specific goals. 

We are so grateful for our generous Impact Partners who have enabled us to help others go on a life-changing wilderness adventure. We have a limited number of full and partial scholarships to award based upon a variety of factors. 
Everyone, no matter how gifted they are, experiences challenges in their relationships.
When people can’t get along, they end up burning energy they could have used to accomplish their goals.

GET EQUIPPED WITH THE TOOLS YOU NEED TO SUCCEED IN LEADERSHIP AND RELATIONSHIPS

  • Develop your unique leadership style to become more self-aware 
  • Practice techniques for resolving conflict so you can maintain unity 
  • Hone your communication skills and learn to give effective feedback 
  • Get time alone with God every day to hear His voice 

With over 25 years of experience in wilderness education, our trained instructors have seen transformation in countless teams.

WILDERNESS COMPETENCY

Our instructors have acquired world-class training from industry leaders like NOLS, SROM, BOSS, and the Wilderness Medicine Institute.

LEADERSHIP + RELATIONSHIP BUILDING

Our instructors have led courses of all ages to unify and perform within wilderness, ministry, business, and cross-cultural dynamics for decades.
Since 2006, I have had significant hearing loss in my right ear due to deployments with the military. While taking a break on the Wilderness Intensive, my team prayed for my hearing to be restored and all ringing to stop and – praise God – as they prayed for my ear, all ringing stopped, and my hearing has fully been restored! Today, I get the joy of hearing a whisper from my wife and the sound of my children playing in the other room.

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Wilderness Intensive Participant