Sponsor: AGEYA Wilderness Education
Spend an Awesome week in beautiful Homer, Alaska this summer. Paddle traditional Umiaks and sea kayaks, study marine life, explore the coastline by kayak, go hiking and make new friends! Sharpen your leadership and wilderness skills and learn about the natural history of Kachemak Bay through a variety of fun-filled, hands-on activities.
Age or grade level: 7th-12th grade
When: Check website for dates and details
Camp Location: Homer and Kachemak Bay
Cost to attend: $675
Contact: John Bouman, jbouman12@gmail.com; 299-4258
Anchorage Community YMCA Camp Peggy Lake
Sponsor: Anchorage Community YMCA
YMCA Camp Peggy Lake is surrounded by 320 acres of rustic wilderness located about 100 miles north of Anchorage on the Parks Highway. The camp is a wonderful setting for campers to enjoy water activities, hiking trails, forests, marshlands and the beauty of Alaska's magnificent environment. Campers engage in activities designed to develop the four YMCA Character Values of CARING, HONESTY, RESPONSIBILITY AND RESPECT. It is also our goal to help the campers develop self-esteem, a strong sense of community and an appreciation for our natural environment.
Age or grade level: Entering 1st-8th grade
When: June 15–Aug. 7
Where: 100 miles north off the Parks Highway in Talkeetna
Cost: $275/week
Contact: kids@ymcaalaska.org; 563-3211
HoWL Camps
Where: Homer, Kachemak Bay State Park
Contact: 399-4695; howl@howlalaska.org; 1554 Homer Spit Road, Homer, AK 99603
Kachemak Complete
When we're not climbing, we're bouldering in the sea cave, bear viewing around the lagoon, camping on the beach, hiking to Grewingk Glacier Lake, learning the geology and ecology of the area with local naturalists.
Age or grade level: Ages 13-18
When: Aug. 3-7
Cost: $465 ($515 for non-members)
Peer Leader Training: Red Mountain
On the Peer Leader Training, students will learn how to identify potential problems before they arise and prevent them. They will become experts in: Hot-Spot-Spotting, SHOE-ing, Waterfalls, Curing the Hangries and other acronyms.
Age or grade level: Ages 13-18
When: Aug. 8-14
Where: Homer, Kachemak Bay State Park
Cost: $650 ($700 for non-members)
Alpine Lakes Extreme Capture the Flag – Boys' Team
We start at Humpy Creek. We'll pause in the high alpine to bask in our summitous success before heading down into the Grewingk Basin for an extreme (miles wide, days-long) game of Capture the Flag.
Age or grade level: Ages 12-18
When: July 21-25
Where: Homer, Kachemak Bay State Park
Cost: $415 ($465 for non-members)
Alpine Lakes Extreme Capture the Flag – Girls' Team
We start at the Saddle Trail. We'll pause in the high alpine to bask in our summitous success before heading down into the Grewingk Basin for an extreme game of Capture the Flag.
Age or grade level: Ages 12-18
When: July 21-25
Cost: $415 ($465 for non-members)
Edible Ocean
Join HoWL along with Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies Naturalist Katie as we camp on the beach in China Poot Bay and sea kayak in to harvest clams and mussels and China Poot red salmon.
Age or grade level: Ages 12-18, open to Alaska residents only.
When: July 17-19
Cost: $425 ($475 for non-members)
Fire and Ice
This is designed for students who are new to wilderness adventures. We spend three days learning necessary "Leave No Trace" environmental ethics and survival skills. We test our skills the last two days.
Age or grade level: Ages 10-13
When: June 1-5
Cost: $390
The Woz
Accessible only by float plane, the Woz Valley is a dynamic microcosm of Alaska's great wilderness. HoWL students land on the glacial lake, and set up base camp below some of Alaska's best sport-climbing routes.
Age or grade level: Ages 14-18
When: July 5-11
Cost: $765 ($815 for non-members)
HoWLin' HoWL
The idea is that we'll create something before we leave, such as candles or jewelry. This year we'll be hiking from Homer to Diamond Creek to spend two days on the beach.
Age or grade level: Ages 10-16
When: July 1-2
Cost: $175 ($225 for non-members)
Peer Leader Training: Augustine Island
Students must have participated on HoWL trips for at least one summer before they can apply to be a Peer Leader. Peer Leaders lead day trips, Wilderness Skills sessions and assist HoWL Instructors on expeditions.
Age or grade level: Ages 13-18
When: June 20-26
Cost: $900 ($950 for non-members)
Instructor Training
HoWL instructors are required to participate in at least one IT trip before they can get paid to work in the field. This is where HoWL's unique teaching methodology is explained, examined and re-created.
Age or grade level: Depends on experience
When: June 14-18
Cost: TBA
Teen Adventure Week
Sponsor: Anchorage Alaska Public Lands Information Center
Teens will spend a week outdoors camping, hiking and exploring. The trip will include riding the train to Denali National Park for a four-day, three-night camping trip. Monday we prepare for the trip. Tuesday we board the train to Denali and return Friday night.
Age or grade level: Entering 9th-11th grade
When: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday, overnight Tuesday-Friday
Where: 605 W. Fourth Ave. and Denali National Park
Cost: $50
Contact: Helen_m_fields@nps.gov
Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies Camps
Where: Peterson Bay Field Station on the south side of Kachemak Bay, Homer, Alaska
Contact: Melanie, 907-235-6667; info@akcoastalstudies.org
Family Camp
Fun and adventure for the family. CACS Family Nature Camps are a great opportunity to get families to be together and get outside in an amazing Kachemak Bay setting.
Age or grade level: All ages
When: June 19-20 or Aug. 7-9
Cost: $450 includes two adults and one child, $375 includes one adult and one child; additional family members, $80 each.
Teen EcoAdventure Camp
Camping, hiking, berry picking and preserving, learning about salmon, edible plants, campfire cooking, getting in the kitchen and garden with chefs and farmers, kayaking, oceanography of Kachemak Bay, visit to Oyster Farm, 3-day backpacking adventure.
Age or grade level: Ages 12-15
Dates: July 19-July 28
Cost: $850
Marine Mammal Mysteries
Four nights, five days at the Peterson Bay Field Station learning about marine mammals, being wildlife detectives and articulating a mystery skeleton with "Mr. Bone," Lee Post. Boat tour on Kachemak Bay to view marine mammals.
Age or grade level: Ages 9-15
Dates: Aug. 3-7
Cost: $500
Junior Naturalist Summer Camp
Two days at the Wynn Nature Center and two overnights at the Peterson Bay Field Station. Explore habitats and wildlife of Kachemak Bay. Animal tracking, tide pooling, hiking, fun and adventure. Sleep in Yurts.
Age or grade level: Ages 9-12
Dates: July 15-18
Where: Two-day sessions at the Wynn Nature Center in Homer, two overnights at the Peterson Bay Field Station on the south side of Kachemak Bay
Cost: $300
Where: Most camps will be held at Camp Togowoods, Wasilla; two camps will be held near Juneau
Contact: Amanda Block, 248-2250; ablock@girlscoutsalaska.org
Camp Togowoods-Trekkers
Wilderness trips take courage, confidence and character to the limit. Campers will enjoy an overnight backpack trip in Hatcher Pass and practice camping skills.
Age or grade level: Entering 6th-8th grade
Dates: June 26-July 1
Cost: $425, scholarships available
Camp Togowoods-Hatchers Pass Backpack
Our wilderness trips lay a solid foundation for leadership, self-confidence and teamwork. In this program girls practice their backpacking and camp skills on a 3-day trip in Hatcher Pass.
Age or grade level: Entering 6th-8th grade
Dates: June 26-July 1
Cost: $425, scholarships available
Camp Togowoods-Resurrection Trail Backpack
Challenge yourself on a 6-day backpack trip over the Resurrection Trail in the Kenai Peninsula and a 1/2-day river raft trip on the Matanuska River with Nova River Runners.
Age or grade level: Entering 9th-12th grade
Dates: July 5-16
Cost: $675, scholarships available
Camp Togowoods-Swanson River
Continue refining your padding, portaging and camping skills on a 4-day canoe trip in the Swanson River Canoe Trails. Campers will canoe lakes, not rivers.
Age or grade level: Entering 7th-9th grade
Dates: June 20-July 1
Cost: $675, scholarships available
Camp Togowoods-Voyagers
Our trip programs teach girls outdoors skills. More importantly they give girls a solid foundation of leadership, teamwork and self-confidence. In this program girls gain paddling and camping skills on an overnight on Finger Lake.
Age or grade level: Entering 6th-8th grade
Dates: June 10-15
Cost: $425, scholarships available
Camp Togowoods-Sojourners
Wilderness trips that courage, confidence and character to the limit. In this program girls learn basic camping skills and practice them on a rustic overnight on site at camp.
Age or grade level: Entering 4th-5th grade
Dates: June 20-25, July 11-16
Cost: $375, scholarships available
Camp Togowoods-River Runners
Explore our lake and practice canoeing, kayaking and rowboating. As girls gain paddling skills they have the opportunity to participate in progressively challenging adventures. Campers go on a 1/2 day river raft trip.
Age or grade level: Entering 8th-9th grade
Dates: July 5-10
Cost: $425, scholarships available
Camp Togowoods-Paddlers Paradise
Explore our lake and practice canoeing, kayaking and rowboating. As girls gain paddling skills they have the opportunity to participate in progressively challenging adventures. Campers go on a 1/2 day kayak trip to Cottonwood Lake.
Age or grade level: Entering 4th-5th grade
Dates: June 10-15, June 20-25, June 26-July 1, Aug. 3-8
Cost: $375, scholarships available
Camp Togowoods-Wet and Wild
Campers explore our lake and practice paddling with our Small Craft Safety-certified staff. Togowoods offers canoeing, kayaking and recreational rowboating. As girls gain paddling skills they have the opportunity to participate in progressively challenging adventures.
Age or grade level: Entering 4th-5th grade
Dates: June 10-15, June 20-25, June 26-July 1, Aug. 3-8
Cost: $375, scholarships available
Camp Togowoods-Girl Scout Camp
The Girl Scout Camp program gives girls a classic and timeless summer camp experience. Girls will experience all camp has to offer including hiking, the climbing tower, arts and crafts, boating, outdoor cooking and more.
Age or grade level: Entering 1st-8th grades
Dates: June 10-15, June 20-25, June 20-July 1, June 26-July 1, July 5-10, July 5-16, July 11-16, July 30-Aug. 1, Aug. 3-8
Cost: $185-$600 depending on length of session, scholarships available
Camp Togowoods-Lead On Take Action
Girls who have attended Lead On and want the option to further develop their leadership skills have the option of returning to Togowoods for hands-on experience working with younger campers under the guidance of counselors.
Age or grade level: Entering 9th-12th grades
Dates: June 20-25, Aug. 3-8
Cost: Free
Camp Togowoods-Lead On
Camp develops confident leaders. Girls practice decision making, communication with others, and work on conflict-resolution. Through hands-on activities, girls will put leadership skills to work. Of course, girls will get to experience everything at camp.
Age or grade level: Entering 9th-12th grade
Dates: June 10-15
Cost: $240, scholarships available
Camp Featherwinds-Lead On
Camp develops confident leaders. Girls practice decision making, communication with others, and work on conflict-resolution. Through hands-on activities, girls will put leadership skills to work. Of course, girls will get to experience everything at camp.
Age or grade level: Entering 9th-12th grade
Dates: July 20-25
Where: Eagle River Methodist Camp, Juneau
Cost: $240, scholarships available
Camp Featherwinds-Girl Scout Camp
The Girl Scout Camp program gives girls a classic and timeless summer camp experience. Girls will experience all camp has to offer including hiking, environmental education, arts and crafts, outdoor cooking and more.
Age or grade level: Entering 1st-8th grade
Dates: July 20-25
Where: Eagle River Methodist Camp, Juneau
Cost: $240, scholarships available