Whitefish Middle School eighth graders took a whirlwind history tour of Western Montana earlier this month — a tradition that is marking its 45th anniversary this year.

The routes and stops have varied throughout the years, but come every May since 1970 Whitefish eighth graders have boarded buses and toured the state as part of their study of Montana history.

Students spend four days on the road traveling about 1,000 miles total. This year 95 students were split between three buses, which took two different routes to the same sites.

“We visit a good piece of the western part of the state,” principal Josh Branstetter said. “Very few of the students have been to the exact spots, so for many this is a first-time experience and many of them leave saying they want to go back.”

Highlights of this year’s trip included the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Great Falls, the First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park, touring the Montana State Capitol, the World Museum of Mining in Butte, the Old Montana Prison, the Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, Bannack State Park and the Big Hole National Battlefield.

“It’s a chance to live the history,” Branstetter said. “They get first-hand experience instead of just learning out of a book.”

Stops often involve more than a basic tour. Students played Native American games at the Buffalo Jump, and panned for gold at Bannack. Some years students have gotten the chance to meet with the governor for a round table discussion.

Prior to leaving on the trip, students complete a research project on one of the sites they’ll visit. Students also create a journal of their experiences on the trip, and each evening teachers and students gather together to discuss what they learned.

Teacher Ken Doxtater began the history trips and led them until his retirement in 1994. His involvement continued as a bus driver for Rocky Mountain Transportation. Estimates are that Doxtater spent roughly 35 years participating in the trips.

One local family has four generations tied to the trips as either a student or chaperones.

Eighth-grader Kaylee Hickman went on this year’s history trip. Her mom, Amy Hickman, also went on the trip as an eighth-grader, as did her grandmother, Leslee “Joey” Meyer. Kaylee’s great-grandfather, Les Larrivee, served as a chaperone for his own daughter’s history trip.

Amy Hickman said her daughter has been eagerly waiting for the trip since fifth grade, much as she herself did as a student.

“Growing up, I always looked forward to the trip and I’ll never forget it,” she said. “It gives a whole different appreciation for the history of Montana.”

She said some of the sites have changed, but the biggest difference is the accommodations. On her tour, students stayed on gymnasium floors. Now, they sleep in hotel rooms.

Middle school art teacher Nanette Reed was a chaperone for the first time on this year’s trip after having gone on the trip herself as a student. She said although she was disappointed that one of her favorites, the C. M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, was no longer on the trip, she enjoyed getting to see his work at other stops.

“It really makes the students more aware of the rich history of Montana,” she said. “I’m glad the school supports the trip. Sometimes it’s a one-time experience for the kids.”