What is Mountain Belles all about? Mountain Belles is an all volunteer, non-profit organization that provides a wide variety of opportunities for women over 21 to learn and engage in healthy activities. We schedule a minimum of one event every month and welcome adult women of all ages (21 and up) and abilities.  In the past, our members have learned to fly fish, shoot with a bow and arrows, paddle-board, skeet shoot, x-c ski, curl, rock climb, and more. We've also organized informal events such as day hikes, snowshoe trips, beer tasting, clothing swaps, and hot springs soaks. We has also participated in charity events, such as Huffing for Stuffing, the Bozeman Clean Up Day, the MS Walk, and many other worthy causes. 
Who are the Belles? Our members are young and young-at-heart, single and married, Moms and not Moms. We are new to the area and residents of long standing. We want to make new friends, try new things, be active and remain active, and we love the outdoors.
Why only women? Mountain Belles believes women should have some “me” time with other women in a supportive and friendly environment. We provide a way for you to meet and connect with other active like-minded women in a social atmosphere, while learning a new or improving on old skills.
Why do the members have to be 21 or older? Foremost, we wanted to give women the ability to get together with other adult women without the distraction of childcare duties. From a secondary and legal standpoint, we sometimes have events at which alcoholic beverages are served. By restricting the membership age to 21 and over, we do not need to worry about carding members at these events.
Does it cost anything to join? There is an annual membership dues of $20, which allows us to offer most of our events free to members. Occasionally, the event is not free but highly discounted.  Annual dues also cover administrative costs for running the organization, such as the web site fees, food and beverages provided at events, instructor costs, and rental fees for venues.  Your membership starts on the day you pay the fee. 
What do I get for my membership fee?  You get to attend an organized event a month. Our board members continually look for activities that promote a healthy, active lifestyle in a fun and social environment. Most of these events require expert instructors and/or special facilities. Our event hosts plan and put on these events, so all you need to do is show up and enjoy. Most of our events are held outdoors, but occasionally indoor facilities are necessary.  Most of our events are free and the rest are highly discounted.  Announcements (via Facebook and e-mail, if you're signed up to receive them) will clearly state everything you need to know about the event.
Be sure to check out our Spring Fling and the Fall Fling. These are semi-potluck dinners for those who want to learn more about the organization, upcoming events, and contribute ideas for future events. Mountain Belles provides alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and some of the food.

Can I check out Mountain Belles before joining? Yes. While the events that require a venue or instructors are for paid members only (and you can pay at the door), there are many informal events throughout the year. These events are posted on our Facebook page, the group page, and sent out to our email list. The announcements state when the event is informal and open to all.

How do I become a member? You can join the Mountain Belles as a member at any formal event. If a board member is organizing an informal event, you may also be able to join at that time (contact the event coordinator to see if joining at their event is possible). Or you can send a check (including your name and email address) to the following address:
Mountain Belles
Attn: Membership
PO Box 6333
Bozeman, MT 59771     Please include your phone number and e-mail address.

How do I find out about upcoming Mountain Belle events? We post all of our upcoming events to the Mountain Belles website, Facebook page, Facebook Group page, and send out automated e-mail announcements. The Facebook page is open to all but the Facebook Group is a private group, which we do for your privacy. To join the group, click the Join button and one of our Facebook Admins will process your request within a day.  To sign up for our e-newsletter, go to the link on this site.  We send out about 1 - 2 emails a month. It doesn't cost anything to join the Facebook group or sign up for the newsletter. You must sign up for the e-newsletter to get the event announcements and to RSVP for them.
Do I need to sign up for events? Do I need to be a member before I RSVP? Yes, but a qualified yes. Most clinic events have an attendance cap, usually due to instructor and venue restrictions, so signing up is first come, first served. By signing up, your spot is guaranteed and the event host can plan accordingly. This is the case for most events but there are some very rare exceptions.
Some events are very popular (such as our shooting clinics) and fill up very quickly. In these cases, current (paid) members are given preference over non-members. If your membership is not current or you are new to the group, your name goes on the waitlist. Most of the time, non-members make the final list but not always.
The best way to assure yourself a spot is to make sure you are a member prior to the event.
Is the necessary equipment supplied for each clinic? Sometimes yes and sometimes no, it depends on the clinic. If the necessary equipment is highly specialized such as bows and arrows for archery clinic, guns for shooting, or stones for curling then it will be supplied (although we encourage you to bring your own). But for many of our other clinics, you will need to supply your own. Many times you can rent at the venue or at places around town. The event notices will tell you if equipment will be supplied or not.
Can I connect with other Belles outside of events? Yes, our Facebook Group was created with this in mind and anyone in the group can post to the Group page. In the past, members have posted announcements for other events they think the Belles would be interested in, looked for hiking or biking partners, and requested or gave input on equipment sources and repairs.  We ask that you keep posts relevant to the group. Posts that the admins deem inappropriate will be deleted.
I have a great idea for an event. Who do I talk to? We are always looking for new activities and there are a few ways to let us know your idea. You can post your idea to our Facebook group page or contact us via the contact link on this site.
I'd like to donate/give a presentation to Mountain Belles/sponsor or lead an event, what do I need to do? We love new sponsors, although we like to call them Friends of Mountain Belles. To get the ball rolling, contact one of our board members either at an event or Fling, through Facebook or contact us here, below. We'll chat with you and go from there.