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July 10, 2016July 10, 2016

5 Things to Learn In Montana This Summer

This summer The Resort at Paws Up is offering inspirational Wilderness Workshops where guests can grow their artistic, equestrian and literary skills, as well as their outdoor expertise. The Resort’s newest offerings (which start today) include a writing course, an outdoor watercolor workshop, photography workshop, hands-on training sessions in woodsman skills and more. Our top picks include:

Gettin’ Primitive: July 10–16 and August 7–13

Learn about the old ways of the great outdoors from mountain man Gary Steele at his self-built camp, where guests receive hands-on instruction in “primitive” skills such as edible plant identification, fire making, knot tying, longbow archery, music making, orienteering, shelter building, storytelling, tomahawk throwing, tracking and woodsmanship.

Starry Night Photography and Champion Horsemanship: July 18—21

Aspiring cowboys and cowgirls join acclaimed ranch-life photographer and Cowgirl Hall of Fame member Barbara Van Cleve for a captivating photography workshop. Enjoy photographing all the incredible beauty Montana has to offer. Van Cleve, known for her spectacular nighttime imagery, will instruct guests on how to capture vivid, dreamy photographs under a starry, moonlit sky. Additionally, guests can take their horsemanship skills to a whole new level with an emphasis on mental toughness. Participants will focus on control as they wind through obstacle courses along scenic trails and practice their aims on horseback with mounted water pistol shooting.

Block Printing and Mosaics: July 24–30, 2016

Artist in Residency Jill Schulman will teach adults and children alike the art of block carving and printing, as well as mosaic making in this Paws Up Wilderness Workshop. Schulman is a renowned sculptor and ceramic artist who thrives on teaching her craft to others. No previous experience is required to take part in the workshop—just a willingness to think “outside the block.”

Schulman will demonstrate the art of block printing, and then workshop participants will design, carve and pull prints with their own linoleum stamps. In the afternoon, participants will make a mosaic, filling a stepping-stone with colorful tiles and other materials. These stones will then be installed on a special path at the Kids Corps of Discovery. All ages and skill levels are welcome.

Wild Writing: July 29—30th

Learn writing skills from veteran writer Laura Munson as she leads the Wild Writing workshop. Munson is the author of New York Times bestselling memoir “This Is Not the Story You Think It Is.” Participants will leave with a renewed feeling of empowerment through self-expression in the heart of beautiful Montana.

July 5, 2016

Get Hooked At The Resort at Paws Up with Ultimate Fly-Fishing

Fly fishing has been around for hundreds of years, but its popularity continues to increase. What is it about this sport that is so captivating? If you experience fly fishing at The Resort at Paws Up, you will understand after just one outing. Fly fishing gives you the opportunity to relax and spend time in nature, while also challenging yourself with a cool sport that’s perfect for families or individuals. And once you’re hooked, fly fishing may become one of the best excuses for travel.

Montana is known for its abundant fly fishing, and Paws Up itself hosts 10 miles of the Blackfoot River—arguably one of the most famous fly fishing rivers thanks to the movie A River Runs Through It. At Paws Up, we offer spin rods for guests who are more comfortable with this style, but only for independent fishing. All of our guided excursions are strictly fly fishing, and all of our guides are Paws Up staffers, so you’re guaranteed the best learning techniques, assistance and service. We offer a fly fishing experience to remember.

The quality of fly fishing during the next three weeks dramatically increases. “With the water levels continuing to drop and the river getting clearer, the fishing the next couple of weeks will be off the hook! Pun intended,” says Montana Outfitter Justin Capps. “The next couple of weeks we will see most of our summer hatches. With the salmon fly hatch winding down the fish will start to turn their attention toward other aquatic insects. Golden stones, yellow sallies, Pale morning duns, Green drakes and caddis will make up the majority of the bugs we will see. Also, hopper season is just around the corner. Grasshoppers will start moving toward the water for greener grass, and once there they will accidentally get blown into the water by the afternoon breezes. Trout can’t resist them, so it’s a win-win,” says Justin.

At The Resort at Paws Up, we also have an on-site stocked pond that children who are just learning to fish can visit. Spin rods are used here, and it’s always a huge hit. The Resort at Paws Up is an angler’s retreat located within the “golden triangle” of western trout fly fishing. It boasts legendary rivers on property or nearby—including the Blackfoot, Bitterroot, Clearwater and Missouri. So whether you’re checking off a few more Montana rivers from your wish list or are ready to pioneer into some true trout wilderness, this is the place for you.

July 3, 2016

Fourth of July Paws Up Style

June 28, 2016June 30, 2023

8 Reasons to Visit The Resort at Paws Up in July

What are the components of a magical month of July? My answer would be—hands-down—barbecue, watermelon, live music, epic fireworks, outdoor activities, fly-fishing, horseback riding, picnics, parades, pies (apple, peach, pecan—any variety, really!), kayaking, expansive starry skies, pristine weather (read: no humidity, light breeze), hiking, glamping®, relaxation, mountain air and family time. It’s quite a list, but you can find all of this and even more when you head to The Resort at Paws Up in beautiful Montana. Travel alone, with your family, grandparents, your dog, your favorite person or your best guy or girl friend. It will be an experience you will never forget, and definitely one you will want to repeat. July is an ultimate time to visit the resort, with eight amazing extra events to learn a new skill or just to relax and celebrate life.

1. Great Scotts: Stars at Night Concert Series

July 1–9, 2016 and July 30–August 6, 2016

What do you get when you pair two ultra-talented, cute guys named Scott from the Winder city and bring them to Montana? Join us for a special series of concerts (onstage and in a campfire setting) by Scott Besaw and Scott Schaefer. Scott Besaw has been entertaining music lovers at various Chicago hot spots and all over the United States for almost 30 years. In the past, Besaw has been a featured performer with the Blue Man Group, the Denver Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, the University of Colorado’s Buffoons a cappella singing group and Chicago’s special occasion band Underwater People.

Scott Schaefer has enjoyed a notable presence on the Chicago music scene for two decades as the lead singer of numerous indie rock outfits and has managed several independent record labels in the Midwest. Scott Besaw is available for private guitar and drum lessons. The Great Scotts are also available for private performances. Fees apply to private lessons and performances.

2. July 4^thHappy Independence Day Paws-Up-style!

Celebrate the 4^th with us at The Resort at Paws Up with the ultimate American celebration. Enjoy a craft cocktail mixology demonstration, live music, a live wild west show, line dancing, float decorating contest, lawn games, gunny sack races, chair massages, parades, watermelon eating contest, fireworks and don’t forget s’mores!

3. Gettin’ Primitive with Artist in Residency: Gary Steele

July 10–16, 2016, and August 7–13, 2016

Learn about the old ways from an honest-to-goodness mountain man—Paws Up’s resident outdoorsman Gary Steele. For one week at his self-built camp, you and your kids will get hands-on instruction in primitive skills like edible plant identification, fire making, knot tying, longbow archery, music making, orienteering, shelter building, storytelling, tomahawk throwing, tracking and woodsmanship.

Designed for families to come together in an environment that fosters confidence, curiosity, enthusiasm, responsibility and self-esteem, the Gettin’ Primitive workshop is sure to ignite your kids’ imagination.

4. Montana Long Table: A Locally Sourced Summer

July 16, 2016

For one delicious July evening, we pay special tribute to the people who feed us. Chef Ben Jones and his talented team will prepare a unique multicourse farm-to-white-tablecloth dinner highlighting fresh summertime ingredients. And the close relationships Ben and his kitchen staff have formed with area purveyors will make this a celebration that’s truly inspired.

5. Starry Night Photography with Artist in Residency: Barbara Van Cleve

July 18–21, 2016 spectacular wines included.

Join acclaimed ranch-life photographer and Cowgirl Hall of Fame honoree Barbara Van Cleve for a unique and captivating photography workshop. The workshop will take place both indoors and under Montana’s Big Sky at night. Van Cleve is known for her spectacular nighttime imagery, and she will instruct all workshop participants on how to capture vivid, dreamy photographs under a starry, moonlit sky. With more than 50 solo photography exhibits to her name and a lifetime of experience

6. Champion Horsemanship with Barbra Schulte

July 18–21, 2016

Take your horsemanship skills up a notch with instruction from Barbra Schulte, a veteran professional rider and trainer and member of the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame. With an emphasis on developing tough mental strategies, she’s helped elite riders all over the country reach their full potential. In this workshop, with her guidance, you’ll focus on control as you wind through obstacle courses along scenic trails, and you’ll practice your aim on horseback with mounted shooting (using water pistols). The workshop also focuses on providing riders with inspiration to overcome challenges they might have encountered in the past. A limited group size allows for intimate sessions, which are perfect for mastering new techniques.

7. Block Printing and Mosaics with Artist in Residency: Jill Schulman

July 24–30, 2016

Get your hands messy with Artist in Residency Jill Schulman as she teaches adults and children alike the art of block carving and printing, as well as mosaic making in this Paws Up Wilderness Workshop. Schulman is a renowned sculptor and ceramic artist who thrives on teaching her craft to others. No previous experience is required to take part in the workshop—just a willingness to think “outside the block.”

8. Wild Writing with Writer in Residency: Laura Munson

July 29—30, 2016

For centuries, writers have been finding their inspiration out in the wild. And Montana may well be the place where your muse resides. So whether you’re a professional or a seeker with a pen, come find your unique voice under the nurturing guidance of an internationally successful author.

No matter where you are in your creative journey, you’ll learn how to discover your stories and get them onto the page. This custom Wilderness Workshop will give you a renewed feeling of empowerment through self-expression. It’s an adventure within, in the great outdoors.