ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú

International students arriving for International Student Orientation should be in contact with the Global Engagement Office (GEO) to arrange for airport transportation and any other arrival details. GEO can be contacted at 406-243-2288 or global.engagement@umontana.edu

International students arriving for International Student Orientation should be in contact with the Global Engagement Office (GEO) to arrange for airport transportation and any other arrival details. GEO can be contacted at 406-243-2288 or global.engagement@umontana.edu

Find more info here.

The Freshman Wilderness Experience will introduce students to the incredibly stunning natural surroundings in western ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú. Students do not need any prior outdoor experience to participate. Most importantly, it is a chance for students to meet each other, explore ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú and form lasting friendships before classes begin on campus. Students have the option to participate in a wilderness backpacking ($360) or canoeing trip ($440), but space is limited!

Those students participating in FWE will need to move into their residence hall rooms the day prior or morning-of check-in for FWE, which occurs August 13, 2026 at 1:00 PM. Groups will be in the field from August 14-17, 2026 and will return to campus to participate in the Big Sky Experience beginning on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

Fall 2026 Information - More Info on the FWE Website

In it's sixth year, we are excited to showcase the  for this special overnight experience! Similar to the Freshman Wilderness Experience, this trip will bring a small group of 20 incoming first-year students together for a multiday adventure at UM’s world-class freshwater research and education facility on Flathead Lake.  

The cost is $250 per student and covers transportation, food, and lodging. 

Important Information

This trip is designed for incoming first-year students only and is a special addition to the required in-person Big Sky Experience program, which is held immediately following this trip from August 17 - 21, 2026. 

Students should also complete their online New Student Orientation program (available in July) prior to both this trip and the Big Sky Experience.

The Details

• Thursday, August 13 - Early arrival and Residence Hall move-in
• Friday, August 14 - Depart campus for Flathead Lake Biological Station
• Monday, August 17 - Return to Campus to join all other incoming students for the Big Sky Experience
• Friday, August 21 - River Rendezvous and Freshman Float, end of Big Sky Experience
• Monday, August 24 - Fall Classes Begin

The Big Sky Experience will take place over the course of five (5) days, Monday, August 17 - Friday, August 21, 2026.

Starting in July 2026, students will register for their specific Big Sky Experience Site Activity, which will determine their assigned small group color and schedule track (Maroon Group / Gray Group). 

Students will be informed of their small group color and schedule track assignments during BSE check-in.

• ALL DAY | Dining Plans are Active | The Lodge
  • Your dining plan is now active for the semester so you can enjoy our state-of-the-art, all-you-care-to-eat dining center, featuring seven unique food stations.
  • Meal times throughout the week are staggered to help avoid long lines, so please only head to meals when you are instructed to do so. We want to ensure you make it to your next Big Sky Experience activity on time!
    • The Lodge Dining Center Hours
      • Monday - Friday, August 17 - 21
        • Breakfast: 7 – 9:00 AM
        • Lunch: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
        • Dinner: 5 – 7:00 PM
      • Semester Hours
        • Weekends (Starting 8/22): Open 9:00 AM - 7:30 PM
        • Weekdays (Starting 8/24): Open 7:00 AM - 9:30 PM

• ALL DAY | Griz Student ID Card Assistance* | University Center, First Floor
  • Your Griz Card lives on your phone now! Submit your photo, sign up for DUO, and download the eAccounts App at . Have questions? The folks at the Griz Card office are here to help!
• ALL DAY | Ask an Advo Information Tent* | Griz Statue
  • Whether you need help figuring out which office to go to for the task at hand, how to navigate a tough situation, for help finding where your small group has gone off to, or anything at all related to the UM college experience...you can always Ask an Advo! And it doesn't end there! You will find the Ask an Advo station at all sorts of UM events throughout the school year, so at any time if you wanted to ask a question, or even just chat, the Advocates are here for you!

• ALL DAY | Residence Hall Move In* | Your Residence Hall
  • Arrive on campus at your assigned move-in time and follow all instructions given by the UM Housing team to make this transition as seamless as possible for you and your classmates. Keep an eye out for Move-In Crew volunteers ready to assist you! 
  • Due to several large events happening concurrently, parking regulations and traffic flow may be different than usual! Please follow all posted signs and any instructions provided to you by Move-In Crew volunteers.
• 1 – 6:00 PM | Big Sky Experience Check-In* | Mansfield Mall
  • Check in anytime between these five hours to get started for your Big Sky Experience. You will receive your name tag and small group assignment, some awesome swag, and a UM t-shirt, and important information about the week.

• 4 – 6:00 PM | BEAR Fair* | The Oval
  • Students, their parents and families are invited to peruse the iconic BEAR Fair (Be Educational, Active and Recreational), where you have the opportunity to learn about more than 90 different student groups, academic departments, and support services.
• 5 – 7:00 PM | First Meal* | The Lodge
  • Campus Dining has an amazing dining experience planned for incoming students and their families in UM’s brand-new, world class dining center. Join them for UM’s much-anticipated First Meal of the academic year, featuring wonderful, chef-crafted local food and produce from their on-campus garden. The evening’s lineup will include the UM Marching Band, our playful mascot, Monte, and more!
  • Incoming students may use their dining plans to gain admission to the event; parents or family members that accompany a new student will be admitted free!

• 8:30 - 10:00 AM | Big Sky Experience Late Check-In* | The Oval
  • If you were unable to check in yesterday, please ensure you arrive before 10 a.m. to get checked in, receive your name tag and small group assignment, shirt, swag and materials, and are ready to kick things off right.
• 10:30 - 11:00 AM | Welcome to the UM Family* | The Oval, in front of Main Hall
  
  • Hear from the President as we kick off your Big Sky Experience! From here, students will be dismissed to follow their UM Advocate small group leader, who will guide them for the remainder of the week. Parents and family are free to depart at this time, or join Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Life Leslie Webb for the Family Send Off.
• 11:00 - 11:30 AM | Incoming Class Photo | The Oval
  
  • Once dispersed to their assigned small group, students should follow all instructions provided to them by their UM Advocate. We will be arranging students on the Oval to take a full incoming class photo with a drone. Students will depart from here with their Advocate for their first small group activity.
• 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Family Send-Off* | Brantly Lawn
  • Join Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Life Leslie Webb for a special farewell, and learn about our Parent and Family Association!
• 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Meet Your UM Advocate | Follow your UM Advocate
  
  • This session will be your first opportunity to get to know your Advocate Small Group Leader and some of your future classmates. You will remain with this small group throughout the Big Sky Experience, and you will all participate in your site work together later in the week.
• 12:00 - 1:30 PM | Small Group Activities
  
  • Gray Groups: Find Your Classes Tour | Follow your UM Advocate
  • Maroon Groups: Lunch | The Lodge
• 1:30 - 3:00 PM | Small Group Activities
  • Gray Groups: Lunch | The Lodge
  • Maroon Groups: Find Your Classes Tour | Follow your UM Advocate
• 3:00 - 5:00 PM | College Afternoons | Follow your UM Advocate
  • Our academic colleges and schools are excited to welcome you to campus! You'll have the opportunity to meet and get to know your academic home(s) on campus.
• 3:30 - 6:30 PM | Missoula College Welcome and Dinner* | Missoula College
  • Join Missoula College faculty, staff and students to get to know the River Campus and it's resources, learn more about your program of study, and most of all have some fun with your new professors, supporters, and peers. Bring the whole family to enjoy a complimentary BBQ meal and some lawn games, too!
  • ASUM Green Line shuttles will be available, just as they are during the school year! Catch a ride on the half hour starting at 3 p.m. with the last shuttle returning to the Mountain Campus at 6:30 p.m. Shuttles depart from the UM Transit Hub and the River Campus. 
    • 3:30 - 3:45 PM | Missoula College Leadership and Student Success Team Meet and Greet
    • 3:45 - 4:15 PM | Getting Ready for the First Week Info Session
      • Covers everything from how to check your schedule, know where your classes are, accessing Canvas, and everything else in between!
    • 4:15 - 4:45 PM | Meet Your Major
      • Meet Program Chairs and Faculty and have the opportunity to learn more about the program, meet and talk with faculty and staff, and make connections with peers!
    • 4:45 - 6:00 PM | Dinner and Social Hour

• 8:15 - 8:30 AM | Meet Your UM Advocate and Small Group
  • Meet your UM Advocate and small group at your assigned location to head out to your Big Sky Experience Site Activity.
• 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Big Sky Experience Site Activity
  • Take part in the Site Activity that you selected. Make sure to dress appropriately and to bring a water bottle, along with any other items you made need.
• 12 - 3:00 PM | Lunch | The Lodge
  
  • Gray Groups: Designated lunch session at 12 - 2:00 PM.
  • Maroon Groups: Designated lunch session at 1 - 3:00 PM.
• 3 - 3:30 PM | Small Group Activities
  
  • Gray Groups: Setting You Up for Success at UM | Follow your UM Advocate
    • At UM, students are at the center of all we do, and your academic success and personal growth are our top priority. This session will build upon the many things you learned about during New Student Orientation, but from the perspective of your peers!
  • Maroon Groups: Our Community of Respect | Follow your UM Advocate
    • The ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú recognizes and celebrates diversity, works toward equity, and prioritizes inclusion. This learning session is co-facilitated by the Student Advocacy Resource Center and the Office of Inclusive Excellence for Student Success. Building on the information you received during your New Student Orientation, this session will continue to address topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion, gender and sex based harm and discrimination, and how you can be an active bystander to help maintain UM's Community of Respect.
• 3:30 - 4:30 PM | Small Group Activities
  • Gray Groups: Let's Talk About Setting You Up for Success at UM
    • In this small group session, students will split back up with their UM Advocate to have the chance to ask questions in a much smaller setting, get the real details on what college academics can be like, and share tips and tricks with one another.
  • Maroon Groups: Let's Talk About Our Community of Respect 
    • Students will split back up in to their Small Groups to discuss with their UM Advocate the information they just covered in the previous session. You will have the chance to share your thoughts, hear from your peers, and participate in a short debriefing activity.

• 8:15 - 8:30 AM | Meet Your UM Advocate and Small Group
  • Meet your UM Advocate and small group at your assigned location to head out to your Big Sky Experience Site Activity.
• 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Big Sky Experience Site Activity
  • Take part in the Site Activity that you selected. Make sure to dress appropriately and to bring a water bottle, along with any other items you made need.

• 12 - 3:00 PM | Lunch | The Lodge
  
  • Gray Groups: Designated lunch session at 12 - 2:00 PM.
  • Maroon Groups: Designated lunch session at 1 - 3:00 PM.
• 3 - 3:30 PM | Small Group Activities
  
  • Gray Groups: Our Community of Respect | Follow your UM Advocate
    • The ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú recognizes and celebrates diversity, works toward equity, and prioritizes inclusion. This learning session is co-facilitated by the Student Advocacy Resource Center and the Office of Inclusive Excellence for Student Success. Building on the information you received during your New Student Orientation, this session will continue to address topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion, gender and sex based harm and discrimination, and how you can be an active bystander to help maintain UM's Community of Respect.
  • Maroon Groups: Setting You Up for Success at UM | Follow your UM Advocate
    • At UM, students are at the center of all we do, and your academic success and personal growth are our top priority. This session will build upon the many things you learned about during New Student Orientation, but from the perspective of your peers!
• 3:30 - 4:30 PM | Small Group Activities
  • Gray Groups: Let's Talk About Our Community of Respect 
    • Students will split back up in to their Small Groups to discuss with their UM Advocate the information they just covered in the previous session. You will have the chance to share your thoughts, hear from your peers, and participate in a short debriefing activity.
  • Maroon Groups: Let's Talk About Setting You Up for Success at UM
    • In this small group session, students will split back up with their UM Advocate to have the chance to ask questions in a much smaller setting, get the real details on what college academics can be like, and share tips and tricks with one another.
• 5:30 - 8:30 PM | Griz in the Park with Missoula Downtown ToNight | Caras Park
  
  • We invite you to enjoy the splendor of downtown Missoula for your dinner this evening. You can either purchase dinner at Downtown ToNight or use your meal plan on campus before heading down to check out the music. The ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú’s UDASH Bus will provide complimentary shuttles to the Missoula Downtown, just as they do for students during the school year! Departing from the Music Building Bus Stop, shuttles will drop you off out front of the historic Wilma Theater, from which you can make your way on foot to Caras Park. There you will find a quintessential Missoula event – Downtown ToNight! Enjoy a plethora of local food vendors and free music! Then hop back on the shuttle to campus for the remaining evening activities. In addition, you can join the ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú Athletics community for Griz in the Park, where you can find all of your favorites from Griz Athletics, including coaches, student-athletes, spirit squad members and Monte! Kick off the fall sports seasons with meet-and-greets, photos, autographs, food, and fun!

Gray Groups

• 8:15 - 8:30 AM | Meet Your UM Advocate and Small Group
  • Meet your UM Advocate and small group at your assigned location.
• 8:30 - 9:30 AM | Advocate Production
  • Adjusting to life in college can be just that, an adjustment! During this session, the UM Advocates will perform a series of short skits that talk about various aspects of college life and put into action some of the bystander intervention strategies you just learned about. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!
  • This session will discuss topics that could be activating for some. Please let your Advocate know if you have questions or concerns.
• 9:30 - 10:30 AM | Let's Talk About the Bottom Lines
  • Now it's time to discuss. Many of the topics can be sensitive for some, and all address serious issues students can face throughout their college experience. This session is meant as a time for you to share your thoughts and reactions, as well as engage in dialogue with others who may feel differently than you. Everyone's perspective is valid, but UM has some bottom lines you need to know.
• 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM | Lunch | The Lodge
• 12:30 - 2:30 PM | River Rendezvous and Freshman Float
  • End your Big Sky Experience with a splash! Join us on Memorial Row for this long-standing campus tradition. Whether you want to hang out with lawn games or float the Clark Fork River with a tube and dry bag, it’s the perfect way to wrap up the week!
  • Things to know:
    • Bring your own innertube if you have one - provided tubes are limited.
    • Bring a waterbottle and the drybag you received at Check-In.
    • UDASH shuttles will run from campus to the Sha-Ron put-in.
    • The float takes about 2 hours.

Maroon Groups

• 10:45 - 11:00 AM | Meet Your UM Advocate and Small Group
  • Meet your UM Advocate and small group at your assigned location.
• 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Advocate Production
  • Adjusting to life in college can be just that, an adjustment! During this session, the UM Advocates will perform a series of short skits that talk about various aspects of college life and put into action some of the bystander intervention strategies you just learned about. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!
  • This session will discuss topics that could be activating for some. Please let your Advocate know if you have questions or concerns.
• 12 - 1:00 PM | Let's Talk About the Bottom Lines
  • Now it's time to discuss. Many of the topics can be sensitive for some, and all address serious issues students can face throughout their college experience. This session is meant as a time for you to share your thoughts and reactions, as well as engage in dialogue with others who may feel differently than you. Everyone's perspective is valid, but UM has some bottom lines you need to know.
• 1 - 2:30 PM | Lunch | The Lodge
• 2:30 - 4:30 PM | River Rendezvous and Freshman Float
  • End your Big Sky Experience with a splash! Join us on Memorial Row for this long-standing campus tradition. Whether you want to hang out with lawn games or float the Clark Fork River with a tube and dry bag, it’s the perfect way to wrap up the week!
  • Things to know:
    • Bring your own innertube if you have one - provided tubes are limited.
    • Bring a waterbottle and the drybag you received at Check-In.
    • UDASH shuttles will run from campus to the Sha-Ron put-in.
    • The float takes about 2 hours.

The fun doesn't stop after the Big Sky Experience. Griz Welcome activities continue on for several weeks, with Student Life activities, athletic games and meets, and community events galore! 

Check out all the upcoming Griz Welcome activities!