Activities and Opportunities in Bozeman, Montana A catalogue of education, arts, and recreation groups and events Bozeman Recreation and Parks Advisory Board

Sponsored by

Bozeman Recreation Department, 415 N. Bozeman, (Beall Park Recreation Center)
The recreation department provides low-cost year-round activities at the swim center and summer programs at Bogert Pool, Lindley Center, and other locations around the city. These programs run the gamut from backpacking to candle making. Swimming lessons are provided during the school year at the Swim Center, 1211 W. Main, and in the summer at Bogert Pool, 303 S. Church. Each pool has scheduled lap swim and free swim times. Several water aerobics classes are offered at the swim center each day. A complete list of all activities provided by the Bozeman Recreation Department is published semi-annually and may be picked up at the swim center or at the new recreation department offices at the Beall Park Recreation Center at 415 N. Bozeman. Fees may be paid daily, monthly or annually, and family memberships are also available. Scholarships or work /study for swim lessons and other recreation activities provided by the City. Contact: Sue Harkin, 582-2290, or click here.

To view the Swim Center Pool Schedule and information click here

For Swim Center information, call 587-4724.

Bozeman Parks Division:

The City of Bozeman, Parks Division is responsible for the development and maintenance of all public parks, trails, open space and sports fields within the City limits. In coopperation with volunteer service clubs, the Parks Department has also developed the East Gallatin Recreation Area and the Bozeman Pond. These two Parks are owned by the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, but are leased and cared for by the City.

There are approximately 10 Community Parks, 10 Neighborhood Parks, 5 Sports Parks, 16 playgrounds, 2 swimming pools, 2 lakes with beaches, a Canine Beach, a Dog Park, 24 miles of trails and more than 200 acres of Natural Parkland within the City limits. The recreational opportunities include hiking, biking, kayaking, swimming, fishing, skateboarding, bird watching, festivals, soccer, baseball, softball, football, hockey, volleyball, ice skating, tennis and much more. All of this is maintained by a very energetic Parks crew consisting of 6 full-time employees and 16 seasonal employees. The Parks Division works extensively with volunteers, organizations such as the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, User Groups, Montana Conservation Corp, and service clubs, to develop and improve Parks, Trails and Park Facilities. See More City Park Details

Parks are open to the public from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. Dogs must be on leash in all Parks, with the exception of Burke Park, the Canine Beach, located on the west side of the Bozeman Pond and the Dog Park on the south end of the Softball Complex. Owners must also pick up after their pets. Doggie bags are provided at most trails heads and Parks.
For Park Reservations, call 582-3200.

back to top

Upcoming Events

Bozeman Recreation Department

 Water Safety Instructor Course

The American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor course certifies you to teach swimming lessons.  The Bozeman Swim Center, 1211 W. Main, will offer the course on Monday & Wednesday, April 9th – May 7th from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. each evening.  Participants must be 16 years or older and possess Level IV or better American Red Cross swimming ability.  Course fees of $185 City of Bozeman residents/$205 non-city includes the American Red Cross Swimming & Diving, Water Safety Instructor’s Manual and Fundamentals of Instructor Training books.  Successful participants will receive a Fundamentals of Instructor Training and Water Safety Instructor certificates.  Registration is being held at the Swim Center.  For more information call 587-4724.

Running

The Big Sky Wind Drinkers sponsor Saturday Morning once a month from October until Mid May. All runs are listed on the BSWD website: www.winddrinkers.org. For trail running information, click here. For trail maps visit GVLT or Rob Maher at MSU

Swimming

For the schedule of events at the Bozeman Swim Center, see the city website at bozeman.net/recreation/swim_center.aspx

Biking

Bike to Work Week, Free breakfast for Bike Commuters: May 12-16, Click for details. Contact: bikeboard@bozeman.net

Ultimate Frisbee

Bozeman Ultimate is hosting a summer league on Tuesday nights, June 3rd through July 22nd, at Bozeman High School. Registration materials and details can be found at www.geocities.com/bozofest

Notes: 1) Nearly every group listed below has a program to cover costs for potential participants unable to afford the fee. Some groups can provide loaner equipment as well.
2) This listing is far from comprehensive. We have limited this brochure to non-profit groups; a wealth of other activities is available in Bozeman, many of them listed in the phone book.

back to top

Other Groups

Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Montana: Youth development programs for boys and girls. The program has Camps and programs from 7:30 am until 10:00 pm during the summer. During the School year there are programs during the day for home schoolers and after school for until 10:00 pm for others. A new facility opened in April of 2005 at 600 Bridger Canyon Rd. Fees: $12/yr. Contact: http://www.bgcswmt.org/ or Jean Bucher, 587-8442 or bgswmt@aol.com.

Boy Scouts: Serves boys between five and eighteen years of age with a variety of programs during the school year. Fees. Contact: Mike Koosman 388-2721.

Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board (BABAB) The Board operates in an advisory capacity to the City Commission in matters relating to enhanced bicycle circulation, community-wide bicycle education and safety programs, and other matters relating to bicycling in the Bozeman area. Click here. The board has also developed an interactive trail map outlining bike routes throughout the Bozeman Area.

Bozeman City Band Open to adult, university and high school musicians. Members are paid and the band performs eight concerts in the summer. Contact Ron Schimpf 587-4761 or Ralph Challender 586-6248.

Bozeman Folklore Society www.bozemanfolklore.org/ Concerts, contra dancing, and more. Contact Oshi Simsarian 586-0321

Bozeman Senior Center: Located at 807 N. Tracy, the Senior Center offers a wide range of activities and services for adults 50 and older, including travel, recreation and legal services. There is also a wellness center offering fitness classes and some medical services. Meals are served at midday Monday through Friday at a suggested cost of $2.75. Annual membership is $12 per year. For more information, phone 586 2421, e-mail bozsrctr@montanadsl.net, or check www.montanaseniorcenter.org

Bozeman Youth Initiative: (formerly Bozeman TYDE) offers these programs - Dial-up: an under 21 events hotline and event production team. Bridging the Gap: Bozeman's only teen talk radio show Sundays 4-6pm on 1450 AM KMMS. Web Club: a web design and computer skills mentorship program. Youth Squad: community activism and advocacy for youth issues in Bozeman. Office located at 109 S 8th Ave, Bozeman, MT 59715. Contact: Marly Folger, Program Coordinator 585-0294 byi-program@ycsi.net

BWAGS: the Bozeman Women’s Activity Group offers a variety of activities for women of all ages. Specializes in outdoor, backcountry hiking and X country skiing throughout the year. Several different levels are available. bwags.home.bresnan.net

Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center offers both Basic and Advanced workshops, as well as seminars in avalanche awareness for specific groups such as students and snowmobilers. Contact www.mtavalanche.com/.

Gallatin Valley Land Trust: A non-profit that helps build and maintain community trails around the Bozeman area. We can use help on work projects, and have a variety of activities for all ages on National Trails Day, the first Saturday in June. Trail maps and information about the land trust are available. For more information call Gary Vodehnal at 587-8404. www.gvlt.org

Gallatin Valley Newcomers: www.gallatinvalleynewcomers.org Contact Susan O'Hara 586-8254 or Cathy Woody 556-8723

Girl Scouts: Serves girls between five and eighteen years of age with a variety of programs during the school year. Fees. Contact: www.bigskygirlscouts.org or Debra Tew, 587-7553.

Child Care Connection: Offers FREE referrals to help parents find child care. www.childcareconnections.info/, 587-7786.

Eagle Mount: Provides therapeutic recreational activities for mentally and or physically handicapped children and adults. Sponsors swimming year-round, skiing and skating in winter, and horseback riding in summer. Contact: www.eaglemount.org or 586-1781 or eaglemount@prodigy.net.

4-H: For 6-12th graders, this organization includes the traditional agriculture and homemaking projects but also sponsors skateboarding, computers and many other activities. Fees: $15/yr. Contact: gallatin.mt.gov/Public_Documents/gallatincomt_extension/4-H/4H, Todd Kesner, Gallatin County Extension services 582-3280.

Human Resource Development Council: Offers various youth development programs such as work training, life skills, and community involvement incentives. Contact: www.thehrdc.org or 587-4486 or info@hrdc9.org

Intermountain Therapy Animals: Pets helping people. "Enhancing quality of life through the human/animal bond." Contact Nancy Rosen, Bozeman ITA Coordinator, 522-7220 www.therapyanimals.org

Lions Club: Provides vision and hearing help. Also sponsors youth football and basketball. Scholarships are provided for the sports teams. Contact: Stuart Whitehair: 587-4200(w), 586-6752(h)

Montana Conservation Corps: Equipping young people with the skills and values to make a positive difference in the community. We are looking for people to work on projects to conserve our public lands and improve our communities. For more information please visit our website www.mtcorps.org, or call 406 587-4475.

Montana Outdoor Science School (MOSS): Since 1994 the Montana Outdoor Science School has offered interactive natural science programs in Southwest Montana. MOSS promotes an appreciation and understanding of the natural world by providing quality education experiences. MOSS offerings range from free festivals to summer courses, year-round outdoor adventures for all ages, and school programs. For more information visit our website www.outdoorscience.org or call 582-0526, visit us at the Emerson Center room 219 and 222B, or write us at P. O. Box 502, Bozeman, MT 59771.

Montana Wilderness Association offers programs such as Wilderness Walks, one of the most enduring and popular outdoor education programs in the country and “Wilderness and…” a series of lectures recommended for area newcomers, families, outdoor enthusiasts and anyone with a passion for wild places and protecting Montana’s wildlands. Wilderness Walks provides a great opportunity to learn about nature and Montana’s wild heritage by exploring the landscape with a knowledgeable walk leader and fellow hikers. The free guidebook features 119 walks this year, in wildlands all across Montana. There’s a walk for everyone from a mile stroll to multiple-day backpack trips. All walks are led by volunteers donating their time, energy and knowledge—and their passion for Montana’s wild landscapes. The "Wilderness and..." program is free and open to the public. For more information call the Madison-Gallatin Chapter of the Montana Wilderness Association at 582-8600. http://wildmontana.org/

Museum of the Rockies: MOR 4 Kids Club is a program at the museum for first through fifth graders. The museum also offers a long list of activities for children and adults. Fees may be waived or reduced for holders of an annual membership. For more information call: 994-2251 or go to: www.museumoftherockies.org.

Optimists: Sponsors various youth activities such as Little Bobcat Track. Currently sponsors this website (Thank You!). Contact: Brian Stoppel 587-0566

Team WinS: Women in Sports supports both competitive athletes and non-competitive women who enjoy the companionship of other women in running, road cycling, mountain biking, Nordic skiing, and triathlon training. The team, open to woman age 16 and up, offers $400 scholarships to women athletes each year. Any woman may apply for the awards, which are not solely based on athletic ability. Contact: co- presidents: Kama Alasker, krae12@aol.com 582-4432 and Shelly Wunch, dogsinbozeman@msn.com 586-1469

Wonderlust provides educational courses for adults on areas as diverse as global warming and modern poetry.  For more information contact the Burns Telecom Center, 994-6683 or visit btc.montana.edu/about/wonderlust/index.htm.

Y.M.C.A. President Bratton DuBose 522-934

Sources of used sports equipment at reduced prices:
Play it Again Sports 1707 W Oak St Ste C, Bozeman 587-7427 - playitagainsportsbozeman.com
Second Wind Sports 15 West Olive, Bozeman 586-7441
Bridger Ski Foundation Ski Swap. Held in early November. Ski equipment and clothing available at reduced prices. Call 587-2445.
Bike swap. Held in April or May. Call Martin Rollefson 585-5632
Sacks 138 W Mendenhall, Bozeman. Limited sports equipment.
Salvation Army 425 E. Babcock, Bozeman. Limited sports equipment.
Pawnshops have some sports equipment.

Neighborhood Involvement:
Brit Fontenot is the Assistant to the City Manager and Neighborhood Coordinator for the City of Bozeman. His role is to act as the liaison between the InterNeighborhood Council and the City. He can advise those interested in starting a neighborhood organization and is a resource for Bozeman residents for City related policies, procedures, news and information. The Neighborhoods Program aids in organizing citizen focus groups, volunteer events, informational charettes and neighborhood and inter-neighborhood meetings in an effort to keep the residents of Bozeman informed and active in their community and local government.
You can contact him at 582-2258 or by e-mail at bfontenot@bozeman.net. Soon he will begin publishing the Neighborhood News. The News is a monthly publication to help Bozeman residents stay informed about community events, meetings and neighborhood happenings. You can get the News online sent directly in your inbox. Go to bozemanmt.virtualtownhall.net/nnews.shtml and make a request. To view the current issue: click here

This site is made possible by a generous contribution from
The Bozeman Noon Optimists's Club
	The Optimist's Club is a service organization dedicated to serving the youth of the Bozeman community
Join our friendly group for lunch any Thursday at the Elks Club on Haggerty Lane		(It's on us.)

back to top

Please direct any comments to info@infobozeman.com