Stay Wild, Child

Connecting Kids with the Wild Places of Idaho

“Stay Wild, Child” is Mountain West Recreation Alliance’s signature youth program, created to help children build a meaningful connection with Idaho’s incredible public lands. We believe the best way to foster future land stewards is to start young—by giving kids opportunities to explore, play, and learn in the great outdoors.

What We Do


Through seasonal events, field days, and partnerships with local schools and youth organizations, the program offers hands-on outdoor experiences designed specifically for children. Activities include guided hikes, wildlife tracking, leave-no-trace lessons, plant and ecosystem identification, and trail clean-up projects. Each adventure is tailored to help kids develop a sense of wonder and responsibility for the natural world.

Why It Matters


In a world increasingly driven by screens and schedules, “Stay Wild, Child” encourages kids to slow down, get dirty, and discover the joy of wild spaces. Beyond just fun, the program teaches practical outdoor skills and builds confidence, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of Idaho’s landscapes and the importance of preserving them.

Our Impact

By investing in outdoor education today, we’re helping shape tomorrow’s advocates for public lands. Every child who participates in “Stay Wild, Child” walks away with a stronger sense of place—and the knowledge that they belong in, and are responsible for, Idaho’s wild places.