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2026 Juneau Nature Seminar

2026 Juneau Nature Seminar

Cultivating Community:
Gardening with Kids in Southeast Alaska

Thursday, May 28 – Sunday, May 31, 2026

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Join us for an immersive outdoor experience focused on exploring how to bring students into the garden. Designed specifically for educators working with children, this professional development program offers hands-on learning for building, maintaining, and using school gardens with students of all ages. 

In Juneau, many of us are disconnected from the source of our food, and from the experience of growing and sharing a communal harvest. This course helps build the knowledge and practical skills needed to grow food within a school community, while helping students develop meaningful connections with the land, their food, and one another. 

Master gardener Joel Bos and naturalist Steve Merli will guide participants through the fundamentals of school gardening and explore the many benefits gardens offer for both children and adults. Over four field days, we will visit thriving school and community gardens and learn directly from the local growing environment. Time and weather permitting, we may also see what’s growing in nearby forests.

Topics will include:  

  • Selecting vegetables that grow well in Southeast Alaska
  • Building and maintaining raised garden beds
  • Tool safety and basic garden skills
  • Strategies for involving students throughout the gardening process

Throughout the program, we will also set aside time for reflection, discussing ways to engage students in nature-based experiences that foster curiosity, connection, and lifelong learning.

Note: Participants must be able to walk on uneven terrain.

COURSE SCHEDULE
  • Thursday, May 28: 6-8 PM | Meet at Sayéik Gastineau Community School
  • Friday, May 29: 6-8 PM | Meet at Kaxdigoowu Héen Elementary School
  • Saturday, May 30: 9:30 AM – 3 PM | Meet at Juneau Community Garden (off Back Loop Rd)
  • Sunday, May 31: 9:30 AM – 3 PM | Meet at Juneau Community Garden (off Back Loop Rd)
REGISTRATION GUIDELINES

Discovery Southeast does not charge for this program. However, teachers seeking Ed 581 professional development credit must register with UAA, pay their accreditation fee, and complete the seminar, independent study, and a final project/journal. We’ll provide you with the information you need, if you’re interested.

Priority registration is reserved for local educators who work directly with children and are interested in starting or sustaining their own school gardens. Members of the general public are welcome to enroll after May 20.

Although there is no cost, be sure to “check out” below to confirm your registration and reserve your spot. You should receive a confirmation email/receipt from info@discoverysoutheast.org.

Please complete our Participant Agreement within 48 hours of registering. You can review or complete the Participant Agreement here.

If the course is full (“out of stock”), you can join our waitlist here.  

The deadline to register is Tuesday, May 26.

QUESTIONS?

Reach out to mclain@discoverysoutheast.org.

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Haadaa Héeni Preschool ProgramOut of stock

Haadaa Héeni Preschool Program

Registration is now closed.

You’re welcome to join our waitlist here. We will notify you if a spot becomes available for your child. 

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Haadaa Héeni (Lingít for “water all around us”) encourages wonder in the natural world and invites children to explore the forest using all their senses. Following a Forest Kindergarten model, we spend all our time outside playing, learning, and discovering together. Each day offers new delights as the seasons change. Our daily routine includes a welcome song, a short walk, pretend play, snack and forest tea, story time, open exploration or a themed activity, and a walk back to meet families. Children leave each day eager to share something new with their loved ones.

The program runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM during the school year. 

Sessions are seasonal:

  • Fall (September 2 – November 25)
  • Winter (January 6 – March 19)
  • Spring (March 31 – May 19)

Fall and spring session take place at Discovery Southeast’s property off Mendenhall Loop Rd in the Valley. Winter session is at Auke Village Recreation Area.

Children must be between 3-5 years old, potty trained, and willing to separate from their parent/guardian at drop-off. Note: Participants must be the requisite age (at least 3 years old) by the time the season starts. 

Browse location and season descriptions here. 

Responses to frequently asked questions are available below under the “Description” tab.

REGISTRATION GUIDELINES
  • Registration is now open for winter. Fall and spring sessions have sold out. If your preferred season is full (“out of stock”), you’re welcome to join our waitlist here. We will contact you if a spot becomes available for your child. 
  • Consistent attendance is an important aspect of this program. If you know in advance that your child is going to miss more than two days in a season, please choose another session. 
PRICING

We proudly offer sliding-scale tuition — pay the amount that’s right for your family. You can pay less than the recommended tuition, all the way down to zero. You can also pay more. 

Suggested tuition varies per season, based on approximately $35 per day. 

  • Fall session has 23 days, with a recommended tuition of $805
  • Winter session has 20 days, with a recommended tuition of $705
  • Spring session has 15 days, with a recommended tuition of $525

Sliding-scale tuition is made possible thanks to Discovery Southeast members, the U.S. Forest Service, and citizens of the City and Borough of Juneau through sales tax revenue.

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Kax̱dig̱óowu Héen Elementary After School Outdoor Club

Kax̱dig̱óowu Héen Elementary After School Outdoor Club

$0.00

Join Discovery Southeast naturalists to explore, learn, and play in the outdoor classroom. We will spend Monday after school time in the garden, on a hike, or playing games outside. This session, we will focus on free exploration, gaining comfort and confidence in the outdoors, no matter the weather.

To sign up, fill out the info below and “checkout” even though there is no cost. This will ensure a spot is reserved for your child. We will also need a signed permission slip/waiver (see info below).

Please sign up on this waitlist if the group is full (“out of stock” below).  

When and where does the club meet?
Outdoor Club meets Mondays after school from 2:00-4:00pm, February 24 – April 21 (no meeting March 24 during Spring Break). We will meet in Mr. Davidʼs room (room 16) first, before heading outside.

Who can participate?
This club welcomes 3rd-6th graders at Kax̱dig̱óowu Héen Elementary School. Our group will be limited to 12 participants. 

What do participants need to bring?
Come prepared with warm layers, gloves, boots and snow/rain gear. We do have gear to loan and can keep them on hand week to week for anyone who needs it.

What does it cost?
This new program is offered this year at no cost; however, we welcome donations to help continue this and similar programs in the future.

Is food provided?
We will have some snacks available.

Is transportation provided? 
We do not plan to provide transportation. If transportation home is a barrier to your child participating, please talk to us and weʼll see if we can help.

Permission slips/paperwork
If your child has participated in our summer camp or in-service day programs in the past year and already filled out a Participant Agreement form, then registering on this page is your last step. If not, please either fill out or Participant Agreement online here. Or you can print this paper copy of the waiver and turn it in. There will also be paper copies available at school. 

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Outdoor Explorers 2025 Summer Camp

Outdoor Explorers 2025 Summer Camp

We’re so excited for your child to join us at camp this summer!

In preparation, please review important information under the “Description” section below, including what to expect and what to bring.

Most camps have sold out; however, we still have a few spots available for Mountain Goats (ages 11-14). You may sign up for more than one Mountain Goats camp.

If you have any questions, email us at info@discoverysoutheast.org.

Our week-long Outdoor Explorers day camps are designed for kids aged 4-14. Guided by Discovery Southeast naturalists, campers spend every day outside exploring, playing, learning, and making discoveries.

REGISTRATION GUIDELINES
  • We kindly ask that you enroll each child in only one week of camp. Children should be the requisite age by the first day of camp. If you’re interested in additional camp sessions, or your preferred week is full, you can sign up for our waitlist.
  • After signing up, you should receive a confirmation email/receipt from info@discoverysoutheast.org (be sure to check your spam folder!). To complete your registration, please submit a Participant Agreement within 48 hours.
  • Our camp calendar, cancellation policy, and Frequently Asked Questions section can be found below under “Description.” For the full camp catalog with theme descriptions, check out our post here.
  • If you don’t see the age and date combinations you’re expecting below, change both fields to “Choose an option” or click “Clear” to refresh the settings.
TUITION

We proudly offer sliding-scale tuition for all camps, allowing you to pay what is right for your family. You can choose to pay less than the recommended tuition (as low as $0), or contribute more if you are able. Operating costs for camp are approximately $480 per child.

  • For full-day camps, recommended tuition is $305 per child.
  • For half-day camps, recommended tuition is $205 per child.

We ask those paying less than half of the recommended tuition per child to complete the Youth Scholarship Program application and apply some or all of the awarded funds to Discovery Southeast tuition.

QUESTIONS?

Email us at info@discoverysoutheast.org.

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Outdoor Explorers 2026 Summer Camp Registration

Outdoor Explorers 2026 Summer Camp Registration

APRIL 10 UPDATE: Dragonflies (ages 4-6), Marmots (ages 8-11), and Mountain Goats (ages 11-14) camps are sold out. Spots are still available for Flying Squirrels (ages 6-8) and Porcupines (ages 7-9). If your preferred week is full (“out of stock”), you may join our waitlist here.

***

We’re thrilled to have you join us this summer!

Our week-long Outdoor Explorers day camps are designed for kids aged 4-14. Guided by Discovery Southeast naturalists, campers spend each day outside exploring, playing, learning, and making discoveries.

BEFORE YOU REGISTER

Please review the information below carefully.

Registration Guidelines

  • Please enroll each child in one week of camp only. If you’re interested in additional camp sessions, or your preferred week is full (“out of stock”), you may join our waitlist here.
  • Children must meet the required age by the first day of camp.
  • After registering, you will receive a confirmation email from info@discoverysoutheast.org (be sure to check your spam folder!). To complete your registration, please submit a Participant Agreement for each child within 48 hours if you have not already done so. 
  • You can find the camp calendar, cancelation policy, and FAQ section below under “Description.” For the full camp catalog with theme descriptions, view our post here.
  • If the age and date combinations you expect do not appear, set both fields to “Choose an option” or click “Clear” to refresh the settings.

Tuition & Sliding-Scale Pricing

We proudly offer sliding-scale tuition for all camps—pay the amount that’s right for your family.

You may pay less than, equal to, or more than the recommended tuition.

The cost to operate camp is approximately $480 per child, per week.

Recommended Tuition

  • Dragonflies (ages 4-6): $235 per child, per week
  • All other age groups: $335 per child, per week

Families paying less than half of the recommended tuition are asked to complete the Youth Scholarship Program application and apply awarded funds toward camp tuition.

Questions? Email us at info@discoverysoutheast.org.

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Spring Break Camp

Spring Break Camp

UPDATE 3/18/2025: Registration for Spring Break Camp is currently full, and we are no longer accepting sign-ups. 

Join us for outdoor exploration, hands-on learning, and play!

This year’s Spring Break Camp runs March 24-28 with 2 sessions: a 3-day session (Monday-Wednesday) and a 2-day session (Thursday-Friday). If you’re interested in a full week of camp, you can register for both sessions. 

Camp hours are 9:00am-3:00pm, starting and ending at the Caouette Cabin at Twin Lakes Park. Each day, we’ll transport participants in one of our 15-passenger vans to a local natural area. Locations will be determined by the weather, the amount of time we have, and the focus of the day. Please let us know if your child requires a booster seat.

Recommended tuition is $116 for the 2-day session and $174 for the 3-day session. We proudly offer sliding-scale tuition, so you can enter the amount that’s right for your family.  

When enrolling multiple children or enrolling for multiple dates, please list the price you’ll pay per child per session. The internet will do the math. After registering, you’ll receive a link to our online Participant Agreement, which you need to complete at least 10 days before the program. Please view additional details below in the “Description” tab.

If the program is full (or “Out of Stock”), you can join our waitlist here. We sometimes add participants from the waitlist, so do sign up if interested.

Thank you for your interest. We’re excited to have you join us!

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