New Lodge at “BASECAMP” Big Lost Campus

We are excited to share that Studio MBJ has recently undertaken the full design, permitting, and construction administration of a new ±5,000 sq ft main lodge for Idaho BaseCamp, a remarkable Ketchum, Idaho 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to getting “Kids Out-side.” IBC is one of a few organizations dedicated to serving the local Latino/Hispanic community in this capacity.

Since 1998, Idaho BaseCamp (IBC) has played a vital role in the community, by providing FREE programming for over 600 students from six Idaho counties. IBC is taking children outside who haven’t historically had access to the outdoors, despite living in Southern Idaho. IBC also runs Mountain Adventure Tours, a camp serving 500 children each summer. These programs foster a love for nature, instill environmental stewardship, and build leadership skills through engaging experiences.

Since 2005 the property on the Big Lost River has enabled IBC to have a home in the wilderness for a variety of programs, from Mat Camp sleep overs to community festivals.
It consists of approximately 45 acres of Old Growth Cottonwood forest and river bottom land with 12.5 acres on the sagebrush bench, and direct access to the remote Big Lost River Basin.

Our goal is to create a warm, durable, and highly functional wood-frame lodge that will serve as the heart of the campus. The program includes a great room, lounge/library, commercial kitchen, dining hall, bathrooms, offices, laundry and storage spaces, and an accessible suite on the ground level. The second floor will provide two suites plus four additional bunk-style rooms, all designed to support camp staff, visiting educators, camper kids, and year-round guests.

In parallel, we are preparing a new site plan outlining future expansion opportunity, and related utility strategies.