🚨 Summer Camp 2023 registration IS OPEN! 🚨
Trailside Discovery Camp
Trailside Discovery Camp is an award-winning camp program in Alaska that provides a broad range of outdoor environmental education experiences for students ages 4 to 14 from all economic, social, and cultural backgrounds.
Spring Break Registration slots are still available!
Spring Break: March 13-17
Trailside will be offering full days of adventure on select ASD In-Service and school release days. Families can register for our camp sessions in Anchorage (Spring Break & In-service Days at Kincaid Bunker) (Eagle River/Chugiak families, see transportation info in Year-Round Programs section). Camp will run 9 am - 5 pm each day; campers will engage in a variety of spring programming such as nature hikes, uncovering animal tracks, investigating changing seasons, wilderness safety, and so much more! Campers will have access to heated spaces through group rotations, but please note that the majority of the day will be spent outdoors! Bring a lunch, snack, weather-appropriate gear, and of course, your mask to use while indoors! Come join us, SPRING into FUN!
We Are Hiring!! Join Our Team!
Dear Trailside Families,
Summer is upon us and we are very excited for an action-packed summer of fun, learning, and adventure.
Site locations & addresses:
Kincaid Bunker: 9401 Raspberry Rd, Anchorage, AK 99502
Ruth Arcand Park: 3766 Abbott Rd, Anchorage, AK 99507
Russian Jack:
- Location TBA, likely an ASD school for weeks 1-10 and weeks 11 & 12 at Lidia Selkregg Chalet. Stay tuned!
Eagle River: Beach Lake Chalet: 17611 S Birchwood Loop Rd, Chugiak, AK 99567
Palmer: Mat- Su Lakes State Recreation Area, 4376 Glenn Hwy, Palmer, AK 99645
What to bring:
General Packing List: (Please label all items)
- Nutritious lunch, extra snack, and water bottle
- Walking Shoes (no flip flops)
- Sunscreen, Bug spray, and Hand Sanitizer
- Rain Gear and Warm Layers Please check the weather forecast prior to camp, we will be outdoors rain or shine and campers must be prepared.
- Daypack, please pack lightly as campers will be responsible for carrying their own packs
- Please check the week at a glance for further items needed (you will be emailed this by the Thursday prior to your session starting)
What to expect at camp?
A typical day at camp:
7:30-9am: Drop off & relaxed morning activities
9:00-9:30am: Welcome, daily schedule review and opening activity
9:30-11:45am: Adventure activities
11:45-12:45pm: Lunch time & reflection
12:45-3:45pm: Afternoon Adventure activities
3:45-5:30pm: Pick up & camper choice activities
Our dedicated staff of students and teaching professionals balance teaching and learning with traditional elements of camp. Trailside Discovery Camp packs a summer of outdoor adventure into each week. Check out our session descriptions and find the adventure that is best for your child.
We look forward to meeting all of our campers this summer, new and returning, and can't wait to make new memories with you all.
See you on the trail,
Cindy
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COVID MESSAGE:
While COVID-19 case rates have decreased significantly, and vaccinations are available to all Alaskans ages 12 and up, we want to ensure that all of the children we serve (which includes children as young as 4 years old) can enjoy camp comfortably and safely. To that end, starting June 7, we are implementing the following mask policy:
Mask wearing for campers is optional (informed by parental preference) unless in proximity to members of the public or during other times where staff feel masks are necessary.
Mask wearing for fully vaccinated staff is optional when outside (Trailside has copies of all vaccinated staff COVID-19 vaccination records). Staff who are not vaccinated will wear masks at all times.
Because we want all campers to feel comfortable, our staff will ensure that the choices families make regarding masks are supported (whether a camper wears a mask outside or not). Our staff is quite comfortable supporting mask-wearing given our experiences in the past year!
American Camp Association Accredited
Trailside Discovery Camp at Spring Creek Farm and Campbell Creek Science Center, are American Camp Association Accredited. To learn more about the ACA Accreditation, click here.
Title VI Compliance
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 2000d, et seq. and its implementing regulations provide that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin under any program or activity that receives federal financial assistance. Trailside Discovery Camp takes reasonable steps to ensure that such persons have meaningful access to the programs, services, and information we provide.

Special Thanks to:
9zero7 Fat Bikes, First National Bank Alaska, CIRI, REI, BLM/Campbell Creek Science Center, CITC, Skinny Raven Sports, Alaska Wildland Adventures, Kaladi Brothers Coffee, Rasmuson Foundation
Do you use a Fred Meyer rewards card?
Trailside Discovery Camp can now receive donations YOU generate when you shop at Fred Meyer. When you shop, you’ll still get every Rewards Point, Fuel Point and Rebate you would normally get AND Trailside gets dollars kicked in, too. Every one of these dollars goes toward helping us provide Alaskan kids with the best early outdoor experiences possible through our award-winning Trailside Discovery Camp.
Sign up here! Type “Trailside” into the organization search box at the prompt, or enter our code:FS273 to link your Rewards account to Trailside Discovery Camp.

Want to learn more about our programs? Contact [email protected]or call (907) 274-KIDS (5437).