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Families Key to Idaho Outfitting
Guided Idaho adventures are perfect family vacations, whether you are interested in white water rafting, hunting and fishing, or exploring Idaho's backcountry on foot or horseback.
Like our family visitors, many outfitting companies are family owned and operated. Over the next few issues, we would like to share some of their stories -- of raising families in Idaho's backcountry, how outfitting carries over multiple
generations, and how our Outfitter families can make your family vacation a truly special experience.
Read more.
We know that Idaho outfitters have something special to offer vacationers, but did you know that they are also committed to serving the communities in which they live and work? Meet some of our members and learn about the gifts of
community service they have provided recently.
Read more.
Any way you look at it, Idaho's outfitters and guides can make your visit to Idaho a special experience.
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Family Owned & Operated
 From running the business to entertaining guests, families play a central role in Idaho outfitted
adventures. For a business like the
Wilderness Outfitters, family members are the key to a smooth operation. Owned and operated by the Farrs, who also manage the
Middle Fork Lodge, Dad Scott and mom Shelda started in the business in 1963, raising sons Justin and Jerrod in the backcountry. Both boys officially joined the family trade in 1995. Now married, their wives Trish and Jenni work
alongside them, handling accommodations and logistics for the multi-generational Farr family business.
Raising two sons in Idaho's backcountry held some unique challenges for the Farrs, such as inquisitive bear visits and runaway mules. Shelda remembers that on some trips, they the boys would ride in pack boxes on the side of a mule. Once,
Justin woke up from his nap and startled his mule, which ran off into the woods with Justin in-tow. Fortunately, both the mule and Justin were no worse for the wear!
Ten years ago Scott and Shelda moved to the Lodge full-time; they now host 5 to 25 people at a time for year-round adventures, welcoming many kinds of guest families at the Lodge, from father-daughter and husband-wife excursions, to one
dad who brought his 16 year-old on a trip as a graduation gift.
The Middle Fork Lodge experience includes many family-friendly activities. Guests enjoy group wildlife viewing on horseback or on foot, fishing, hiking and trail riding. In addition, the Lodge offers trap shooting, archery, horseshoes and
other camp activities such as learning about native history, soaking in natural hot springs, improving photography skills, and best of allShelda's home cooking! Says Scott, "How better to enjoy the wilderness than with a family that lives
in wilderness?"
For more information and a list of licensed outfitters in Idaho, please visit
www.ioga.org.
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Idaho Outfitters Embrace Community Service
Idaho's outfitters maintain a strong commitment to bettering lives through community service. Kudos to these outfitters for their contributions to our communities:
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Hughes River Expeditions brings outdoor adventuring to teens each year at Spring Break. For the past three years, Jerry Hughes and his team of community-minded family and friends, including fellow rafter Dave Mills of
Rocky Mountain River Tours, give a taste of outdoor adventure to students from Midvale and Cambridge High Schools with a spring break backpacking trip in Hells Canyon.
Hughes notes, "It's a really fun community event, and for the kids who like it, it's a big deal." Hughes coordinates his own family's annual spring break float trip down the Snake River with the backpacking adventure, having the two trips
intersect when they rendezvous with the backpacking group. There they set up a "river kitchen" and cook up tasty meals, ranging from a chicken and rib dinner with coleslaw and biscuits, to a traditional hearty breakfast of ham and
pancakes. Says Hughes, "The food is high-volume, not fancy. The kids are happy to have a meal that's not dried backpacker grub!"
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Last summer,
Middle Fork Lodge owner Charles Stevenson teamed with Sun Valley Adaptive Sports to host five recently disabled veterans at the Middle Fork Lodge for three days of riding, fishing, trap shooting and other outdoor activities
their disabilities had previously prevented them from enjoying.
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Wilderness Outfitters donated a 2006 full hunt as the grand prize for a calling contest held by soldiers serving in Iraq. The Farrs were deeply touched to receive a special tahank you certificate and an American Flag that had flown
over Kirkuk Regional Air Base in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom III. The Farrs expect the prize to be claimed in October 2006.
For a free copy of Idaho Guided Outdoor Adventures, visit us on the Web at
www.ioga.org.
For additional information on Idaho,
call 1-800-VISIT-ID.
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MEMBER
NEWS
Mark Your Calendars
15th Annual IOGA Lobby Day – February 15
The highlight of the annual IOGA Lobby Day is the "Taste of Idaho Outfitting" Dutch oven reception for legislators and invited guests at downtown Boise's Basque Center.
The purpose of the February Lobby Day is to make contact with elected leaders, share and gather information related to industry issues. We expect and need at least 30 members for this signature event. We especially welcome those who
haven't been a part of this event or have been away for a few years.
Look For Your Advertising Packets
late-May/early-June
DON'T FORGET
Membership Dues are Due JULY 1
SEND OUTDOOR ADVENTURES TO A FRIEND!
Do you know people interested in learning about great outfitted vacations in Idaho? You can send this e-newsletter to them by clicking on the "Send to a Friend" button at the bottom of the newsletter. They can then "subscribe" to
future issues.
GREAT IOGA Cookbooks, Belt Buckles & Briefcases Still Available
Check out these great gift ideas that support your IOGA:
IOGA Recipes & Poetry Book $10 each
IOGA Briefcase $50 each
IOGA 50th Anniversary Belt Buckle $25 each
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OUR MISSION
IOGA is committed
to the conservation and enhancement
of quality outdoor experiences
on Idaho's lands and waters.
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For more information on
Idaho's
Outfitters
and
Guides
visit www.ioga.org or email us for your free guide to outfitted vacations in Idaho at
idoutfitt@cableone.net.
www.ioga.org
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