Wilderness Workshops Kick off Next Week at Paws Up in Montana

The workshops offer guests the chance to grow their artistic, equestrian, literary and musical skills, as well as their expertise about how truly to appreciate the great outdoors.

The Resort's newest offerings include an inspiring writing course, an outdoor watercolor workshop and hands-on training sessions in woodsman skills. Paws Up will also offer the workshops that have become guest favorites, such as ranch-life photography lessons and family drum circles. Wilderness Workshops are an added value for Paws Up's guests throughout the 2016 season and offer the opportunity to develop a new talent, perfect a craft or experience something completely new as a family. When booking a trip to Montana's premier luxury ranch resort, guests can choose from a wide range of engaging and complimentary workshops. Please see highlights below:

Brushes with Greatness: May 20–25, 2016

NEW for 2016: Paint alongside a true American master in an unparalleled Big Sky landscape. Artist George Van Hook, renowned for his impressionistic paintings, conducts this five-day “plein air” watercolor workshop in a variety of inspiring settings throughout The Resort. A successful international artist with experience in teaching to all skill levels, Van Hook will help guests discover new talents, whether they are just learning the basics or brushing up on well-honed techniques.

Gettin' Primitive: July 10–16, 2016, and August 7–13, 2016

NEW for 2016: Learn about the old ways of the great outdoors from an honest-to-goodness mountain man, Gary Steele. For one week at his self-built camp, guests will get 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. Designed for families to come together in an environment that fosters curiosity and confidence, this Wilderness Workshop is sure to ignite your imagination. Steele, Paws Up's resident mountain man, will also make appearances at the Kids Corps of Discovery, around The Resort's luxury camps and on chuck wagon rides.

Wild Writing: July 29-30, 2016

NEW for 2016: For centuries, writers have been finding inspiration out in the wild. And Montana may well be the place where your literary muse resides. So whether you're a professional writer or simply a seeker with a pen, come find your unique voice under the nurturing guidance of an internationally successful author. Veteran writer Laura Munson will lead the Wild Writing workshop. Munson is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir This Is Not the Story You Think It Is. Her writing has also been featured in numerous high-profile publications. Munson is the founder of Haven Writing Retreats, which are ranked in the top five writing retreats in the U.S. by Open Road Media. This custom Wilderness Workshop will give you a renewed feeling of empowerment through self-expression. It's an adventure within, in the great wide open.

Drum Circle Madness and Great Scotts: July 1–9, 2016, and July 30–August 6, 2016

Chicago musicians Scott Besaw and Scott Schaefer (also known as the duo Great Scotts) will join Paws Up for multiple weeks of entertaining and interactive music. Besaw and Schaefer will conduct drum circles and sing-a-long activities for both kids and adults alike. Besaw has been performing for kids around the country, teaching at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music and playing at various Chicago hot spots for years. Schaefer has been a prominent presence on the Chicago scene as a vocalist for two decades. Individual guitar and drum lessons are available while the duo is on property as are exclusive private performances by Great Scotts.

Starry Night Photography and Champion Horsemanship: July 18–21, 2016

Aspiring cowboys and cowgals can join acclaimed ranch-life photographer and Cowgirl Hall of Fame member Barbara Van Cleve for a unique and captivating photography workshop. Guests will spend time indoors and outdoors photographing all that Montana has to offer. Van Cleve is known for her spectacular nighttime imagery, and she will instruct workshop participants 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 instruction from the real deal–champion equestrian and Cowgirl Hall of Fame member Barbra Schulte. With an emphasis on mental toughness, Schulte has helped elite riders from all over the world reach their full potential. Workshop participants will focus on control as they wind through obstacle courses along scenic trails and practice their aim on horseback with mounted water pistol shooting.

For more details on the complete Wilderness Workshop series, please visit here.