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2025 Juneau Nature SeminarOut of stock

2025 Juneau Nature Seminar

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Walking Woosh eel’óox̱ʼu héen (Mendenhall River)

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Join us for an immersive outdoor experience as we explore Woosh eel’óox̱ʼu héen (Mendenhall River). This professional development program is designed for Juneau School District teachers and staff, offering a hands-on learning opportunity focused on the river. 

The course runs Friday, May 30 – Sunday, June 1 from 9 AM – 3 PM each day.

As Juneau’s relationship with Woosh eel’óox̱ʼu héen becomes increasingly complex, we will study the river’s geology, landforms, and how it has changed over time. We will examine its natural and cultural history, as well as its relationship with surrounding organisms, including humans. 

Naturalists Steve Merli and Richard Carstensen will guide our off-trail exploration. Over three field days, we will walk the river’s path from its source to the ocean – starting at Sit’.áa (Mendenhall Lake) and ending at the delta on Taashuyee (Mendenhall Wetlands). 

Throughout the program, we will set aside time for reflection and discuss ways to engage students in immersive experiences that foster lifelong learning.

Note: Participants must be able to walk 2-3 miles per day, including through sometimes rough terrain, off-trail areas, and potentially wet conditions.

COURSE SCHEDULE
  • Friday, May 30: Meet at Back Loop Bridge
  • Saturday, May 31: Meet at Brotherhood Bridge
  • Sunday, June 1: Meet at the Airport Dike Trail

Since we’re walking along the river, we’ll end each day at a different location. We’ll use private vehicles to shuttle participants back to cars at the starting point of the day’s hike.

Final project/journal due: July 15, 2025 (only for those seeking credit through UAA)

For additional details, check out the “Description” tab below.

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.

Members of the general public (outside of the Juneau School District) 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 27.

QUESTIONS?

Reach out to mclain@discoverysoutheast.org.

Details
Discovery Days

Protected: Discovery Days

Join us for outdoor exploration, hands-on learning, and play when school’s not in session!

PROGRAM DETAILS
  • Discovery Days are designed for kids in grades 1-6. Guided by Discovery Southeast naturalists, campers spend the whole day outside exploring, playing, learning, and making discoveries.
  • This fall, the program dates are: Thursday, October 16, Friday, October 17, Monday, November 10, and Tuesday, November 11. Please note: In October, there will be two age groups (grades 1-3 and 4-6). In November, there will only be one age group (grades 2-4) due to staff availability.
  • Discovery Days run 9 AM – 3 PM, with pick-up and drop-off at Twin Lakes Park (Caouette Cabin). Campers will be transported in our 15-passenger vans to different natural areas around Juneau.
  • For additional details about what to expect and what to bring, please see the “Description” tab below.
REGISTRATION GUIDELINES
  • You’re welcome to sign up for more than one Discovery Day! 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 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 (unless you already completed one in 2025 for another program like summer camp).
  • If a program is full (“Out of Stock”), you can join our waitlist here. We pull from the waitlist when another participant cancels and will contact you if a spot becomes available.
TUITION

We proudly offer sliding-scale tuition for all programs, 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.

For Discovery Days, recommended tuition is $58 per day.

QUESTIONS?

Email us at info@discoverysoutheast.org.

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Haadaa Héeni Preschool Program

Haadaa Héeni Preschool Program

Update 9/24/25: We are now enrolling for winter session. Families who already registered for another season are welcome to sign up.

If your preferred season is full (“out of stock”), you’re welcome to join our waitlist here.

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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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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