Exciting week-long summer day camps for ages 7-12, exploring the trails and beaches, flora and fauna of Juneau's spectacular wilderness setting. Each day's destination is a new place and experience, learning to be safe, confident, and responsible outside while having a great time with old and new friends. In addition to hikes and explorations, each week features role-play games, an art project, and an age-appropriate outdoor presentation by a local expert on the natural history of Southeast Alaska.

Registration process
Download the following Registration Form, print it out, complete it, and return with payment to our offices at PO Box 21867, Juneau, AK 99802. There is no need to call us about spce availability unless you see a note listed next to the week of camp you desire. Member price of $165, non-member price of $195.

2010 Outdoor Explorers Summer Day Camp Schedule
Session 1:        June 14-18             7-9 year olds
Session 2:        June 21-25             7-9 year olds
Session 3:        June 28-July 2        7-9 year olds
Session 4:         July 5-9                  10-12 year olds
Session 5:        July 12-16              7-9 year olds
Session 6:        July 19-23              7-9 year olds
Session 7:        July 26-30              7-9 year olds
Session 8:          August 2-6             10-12 year olds
Session 9:        August 9-13            7-9 year olds

Groups consist of 13 participants ages 7-9 or 10-12, with two adult naturalists. Participants must dress appropriately for each day's weather and terrain, and need to bring their own water and lunches.

Daily camp times are from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Fridays are a half day picnic excursion at Auke Rec or Sandy Beach from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Parents join their campers at noon on Fridays for an oceanside potluck picnic and a celebration of the week's fun activities and accomplishments.

Transportation is provided from Mendenhall River Community School and Harborview Elementary School. Drop off time is at 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM and pick up time is at 3:30 PM and 4:00 PM (Friday drop off time is 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM and pick up time is 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM)
 
Itineraries vary from week to week. Locations we often use include Point Bridget/Cowee Meadow, Windfall Lake, Point Louisa, Outer Point, Eaglecrest, Montana Creek, Dredge Lakes, West Glacier Trail, and the Dan Moller Cabin. Fridays are typically spent at Auke Village Recreation Area or Sandy Beach.

Scholarships are also available.  Please contact us to learn more.

Check out the new videos of Outdoor Explorers 2010 below!

PLEASE CALL (907) 463-1500 TO REGISTER FOR THESE PROGRAMS. ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOT YET AVAILABLE. FILLING FAST, CALL TODAY!

Earn three professional development (500 level) credits from the University of Alaska, Anchorage, while exploring Southeast Alaska's Inside Passage. Expeditions are led by veteran naturalists with many years of field experience, accompanied by outstanding professional guides from Alaska Discovery and Spirit walker Expeditions, two of Southeast Alaska's premier wilderness adventure companies.

These professional-level courses devote five days to field study of the habits of some of the region's most iconic animals as the key to understanding the broader ecology of the area. For each trip, opportunities abound to closely observe the behavior and habitat of some of Alaska's world renowned animals to more fully understand how humans interact with other species and what it takes to keep those relationships healthy. Exploring the American wilderness ideal is an integral part of each course.

In addition to natural history, you will learn the kayaking, hiking and camping skills needed to safely and comfortably travel in wild country. We provide group gear and all meals, and can advise you on personal items you may wish to bring along. Each expedition is limited to 10 participants.

These expeditions are made possible by the joint efforts of our outstanding partners: Alaska Discovery, Spirit Walker Expeditions, Alaska Geographic Association, USDA Forest Service, Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Prices / Payment / Cancellation Policy Information:
Prices include round trip transportation (air and water) between Juneau and each remote camp site, kayak and camping gear rentals, kayak training, permit and guide fees, food and the professional development credit fee. Participants are responsible for round trip transportation between their home town and Juneau as well as food and lodging for the first night of the trip which is spent in Juneau.

A $100 deposit is required at the time of registration. Cancellations more than six weeks before the trip begins, will receive a full refund. Cancellations between 4-6 weeks will be assessed a $25 administrative fee and the remaining balance will be refunded. Cancellations between 2-4 weeks will be assessed a $100 fee due to the difficulty of filling that opening on such short notice and the associated logistical costs. You will receive an email 4 weeks before your trip begins stating that 2 weeks before your trip begins your remaining balance will be charged to the credit card you provided for the deposit.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

EQUIPMENT LIST

2010 Teacher Training Expeditions:

Bears of Admiralty Island: May 31-June 6   $850 
THIS CLASS IS FULL!
Walk in the footsteps of brown bears and paddle the waters of Seymour Canal as you explore various bear habitats to learn the needs and vulnerabilities of bears and the importance of wilderness protections and proper management of human uses. Bear expert and veteran wilderness manager John Neary will introduce you to brown bear behavior and wilderness management issues in the heart of Admiralty National Monument's Kootznoowoo Wilderness.

Floatplanes will transport 10 participants and two guides to base camp near the world famous Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area sanctuary. From there, you will paddle in stable double kayaks to nearby locations to observe how brown bears use different habitats, with opportunities to hike along trails established by the bears themselves. A more strenuous hike into the alpine zone is an option. Evening gatherings and daytime breaks will give participants an opportunity to compare notes and share insights.

The class starts in Juneau the evening of the first day, with an orientation and get-to-know-you meeting. We will depart early the following morning for our camp on Admiralty Island. After five days of field exploration, we will gather on the morning of the final day to review our experiences, debrief and summarize the results of our expedition. Afterwards we will break camp and return to Juneau.

BEARS OF ADMIRALTY ISLAND SYLLABUS

Whales of Icy Strait: July 23-30   $950
THIS CLASS IS FULL. WAIT LIST ONLY!!
Study the behavior, habitat and management issues of humpback whales and other marine mammals such as sea lions, seals and killer whales while kayaking in Icy Strait and camping along the north shore of Chichagof Island. We will explore the ecological connections between terrestrial and marine systems and the effects of human use patterns on the landscape through forest, meadow and stream walks in the uplands bordering these rich marine mammal feeding waters.

Veteran Discovery Southeast and SEAWEAD naturalist Bob Christensen will lead our inquiry into the natural systems of this wildlife rich area, including mapping exercises to facilitate an understanding of how ecological “hot-spots” are identified and managed. In group gatherings, participants will have opportunities to discuss methods of incorporating natural resource lesson plans into class curriculums.

On our first day, we will meet in Juneau for an orientation and information session. The following morning we will travel by small plane to the town of Gustavus, near Glacier Bay. Once in Gustavus, we will gather equipment, meet our guides and review details of the expedition. That afternoon we will board a boat for the trip across Icy Strait to Chichagof Island. At our drop off point, we will make base camp and practice kayaking skills in anticipation of our journey toward the Humpback Whale hot-spot at Point Adolphus. On our final morning, we’ll reflect on our personal experiences and the expedition's accomplishments before boarding a boat for Gustavus and then our flight back to Juneau.

WHALES OF ICY STRAIT SYLLABUS

Wild Alaska in a Changing World: June 15-21   $850
ONLY 3 SPACES REMAIN ......... CALL TODAY TO REGISTER!
Paddle your kayak among drifting ice bergs. Place your hand in the footprint of a wild bear. Relax at camp listening to nearby whales. You might even hear a wolf howl. These experiences are at the heart of Wild Alaska in a Changing World, a multi-day exploration of the wildlife, forests and glaciers of southeast Alaska. Special emphasis is placed on how the region is responding to global climate change and what changes in the north mean for the rest of the world.

The class is led by long-time Forest Service ranger and naturalist, Tim Lydon. The classroom is a wild stretch of Alaska’s famed Inside Passage. The group will travel by boat to a base camp on a remote island. Each day, participants will camp, walk and sea kayak in the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness, at a pace suitable to the group.

The class will assemble at the Forest Service office in Juneau on the evening of the first day for an orientation session. The following morning we will travel by boat through the scenic Inside Passage to Holkham Bay. For the next five days, we will camp, kayak and explore this area which is home to harbor seals, sea lions, humpback whales, bears, wolves, eagles and more and is surrounded by old growth temperate rain forest. After some reflection and expedition debriefing, we will return to Juneau by boat on our final day.

WILD ALASKA IN A CHANGING WORLD SYLLABUS

Have you waxed your boards already?  Is your winter gear where you can grab it and go immediately when the first big dump of the season hits?  Do you whoop every time you see even the slightest skiff of the white stuff in the mountains?  Get an early winter fix and join fellow winter addicts at this year’s Backcountry Film Festival.   

Now in its fifth year, the Winter Wildlands Alliance Backcountry Film Festival highlights the beauty, diversity, and fun of the winter backcountry.   Filmmakers that travel every corner of the globe submit their best backcountry work, and the top films are assembled into a night of fun for all—whether you like to ski, snowboard, snowshoe, or even just stay indoors by the fire in the winter.

This year, festival goers will vicariously surf the snow with a Japanese calligrapher, test extreme snow conditions in Vermont and ski the brief but majestic winter of Australia.  As always, there will be plenty of world-class riding set to killer tunes in dramatic locations both familiar and far-flung. 

The films are as diverse as the backcountry experience and will put a smile on the face of even the most winter-averse viewer. 

The Film Festival benefits Discovery Southeast’s efforts to preserve and conserve winter landscapes for quiet users.  The festival is put together by Winter Wildlands Alliance and travels to 30 communities throughout the western United States, from Alaska to Santa Barbara.  Funds raised will go to support the nature education programs provided by Disovery Southeast!

Where?

The Goldtown Nickelodeon.

When?

February 23rd and 24th. The movies begin at 7pm and doors open at 6:30pm.

Tickets?

Tickets can be purcahsed at the door or in advance at the Goldtown Nickelodeon. You may also call the Discovery Southeast office at 907-463-1500. Tickets are $10 for adults ages 18+ and $8 for youth. There is also a special opportunity to purchase a ticket and a Discovery Southeast membership for $20!

Why?

The Backcountry Film Festival is a way for snow lovers to connect in the community and with people around the world through movies. The proceeds also benefit Discovery Southeast, which is an organization that educates the youth of today to protect the winters of tomorrow!

Prizes!

There will also be door prizes, which were generaously donated by Heritage Coffee, Alaska Powder Descents, Foggy Mountain Shop, and Alaskan Nugget Outfitters.

Film Schedule for Both February 23rd and 24th: For more information on the films, visit www.backcountryfilmfestival.org!

Gentemstick  (10:00) Best of Festival 

                Sweetgrass Productions     

 Generations  (17:00) Best Environmental Message

                Teton Gravity Research                       

 Winter Dreaming (20:28)

                Eucalypt Productions

                   *** Intermission ***

  Flakes  (13:28)                            

                Powderwhore 

 Red Lady  (13:13)        

                Snow Lion Productions 

  Fast Grass and Dirty Corn (4:18) Best Short Short

                Ember Productions 

For more information on the films, visit www.backcountryfilmfestival.org!

So purchase your tickets (and a Discovery Southeast membership!) and come join us for the Winter Wildlands Alliance and Discovery Southeast Backcountry Film Festival!