Anchorage Camps- Multiple locations
Find the Camp that works for you
Trailside Discovery Camp is excited to expand our Anchorage camp selections to 3 locations: Kincaid Park, Ruth Arcand Park, and Lidia Selkregg Chalet at Russian Jack Spring Park.
Kincaid
Kincaid Bunker, 9401 Raspberry Rd, Anchorage, AK 99502
Download the Grid
Beaks, Bugs, & Bark
- Dissect and discover the world inside of a log.
- Explore our wild backyard on a Nature walk.
- Make bug art!
Silly Science
- Create super slime!
- Blow giant bubbles.
- Launch a rocket.
Rock n Roll
- Hunt dino eggs.
- Learn the Rock Cycle dance.
- Explore Volcanic eruptions.
Buzz & Beyond
- Grow a plant!
- Learn about pollination.
- Meet a real bee keeper.
Super Salmon
- Play the salmon life cycle game.
- Learn the Alaska Flag song.
- Create mountain art!
Outdoor Orchestra
- Make your own maracas!
- Become a Rhythm master.
- Learn to make music with water.
Little Rangers
- Design a park ranger badge.
- Make Alaskan animal print art.
- Learn the 7 principles of Leave No Trace.
Branching Out
- Learn “Hoo- Lives Here”- bird lesson.
- Make bark rub art.
- Join a scavenger hunt for types of trees!
Ocean Buddies
- Make a whale of a flower pot.
- Explore the food chain.
- Learn about blubber.
Creative Chemists
- Form fireworks in a cup.
- Make a magic milk.
- Blast off balloon rockets!
Woodland Wizards
- Decorate magic wands
- Create a spellbook of Leave No Trace principles
- Build fairy houses in nature
Dino Days
- Classify rocks.
- Become a paleontologist and excavate a dinosaur.
- Paint a dino egg!
Alaskan Allstars
- Get moving with the Alaska Native Youth Olympics!
- Create Alaska Flag crafts.
- Meet a dog musher!
Out of this World
- Explore the Solar System through art.
- Grow a garden.
- Explore the world beneath us- earthworm activity
Colors of the Wind
- Explore wind chimes in nature.
- Build a beautiful paper kite.
- Play weather pattern games.
Water Wonder
- Create river wind chime art.
- Discover renewable energy!
- Explore a lake ecosystem.
S’more Fun
- Build a first aid kit.
- Race to build the perfect campsite!
- Learn fire safety & eat S’mores.
TDC Bonanza
- Dance with us to say goodbye to Summer.
- Celebrate with Water balloons!
- Join our Scavenger hunt and playground games.
Mighty Mammals
- Learn animal classification.
- Paint a spotted owl with watercolors.
- Get to know moose and bear safety!
Forest Forensics
- Write secret messages in invisible ink.
- Pick up animal tracking skills.
- Learn Compass and Map Skills for a scavenger hunt!
AK Ocean Commotion
- Explore the effects of oil spills.
- Create sand art.
- Play the ocean ecosystem game.
Mountain Mindfulness
- Meditate in nature.
- Hike and watercolor paint.
- Explore endangered species yoga.
Fire & Ice
- Make a homemade ice creation!
- Watch a volcano explode.
- Explore kinetic energy.
TDC Outdoor Theatre
- Act, sing, and dance together!
- Improvise and explore saying yes.
- Create your own short play.
Carnival in the Chugach
- Tye-dye t-shirts.
- Join an outdoor scavenger hunt.
- Celebrate the end of summer with a bouncy house & games!
Arctic Adventures
- Pan for gold.
- Get moving with the Alaska Native Youth Olympics!
- Dog sled presentation and Iditarod lesson
High Adventure
Trail Travelers:
- Bike along local Anchorage trails.
- Design a group 3-D Map and learn navigation skills.
- Hike in local parks and look for signs of wildlife.
Fantastic Fishers:
- Practice canoeing, kayaking, & paddleboarding.
- Learn and practice fishing.
- Create Alaskan fish prints.
Backcountry Bikers:
- Explore dirt trails.
- Learn biking skills for single tracks.
- Compete in biking games & challenges.
Venture Bound Vikings:
- Practice canoeing, kayaking, & paddleboarding.
- Explore Norse Mythology!
- Build your own Viking shield.
Fire Away:
- Learn archery skills, and safety.
- Get to know how fire affects our ecosystems.
- Give it your best shot in an archery competition!
Nautical Knowledge:
- Practice canoeing, kayaking, & paddleboarding.
- Make nautical knot bracelets & keychains.
- Build an aluminum boat.
Paddling Pirates:
- Practice canoeing, kayaking, & paddleboarding.
- Learn map skills to find your gold during a scavenger hunt.
- Create a flag & defend your ship with dodgeball!
Outdoor Survival:
- Develop hiking & camping skills such as cooking and animal safety.
- Build an outdoor shelter.
- Learn important wilderness first aid skills.
2 Week Program: Land vs Water:
- Practice canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and biking skills.
- Go fishing in a local lake!
- Increase your outdoor skills through shelter building & navigation lessons.
2 Week Program: Wilderness Explorers:
- Practice canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and biking skills.
- Learn archery skills & safety.
- Design a meal and participate in camp cooking!
Photography in the Wild
- Develop photography skills.
- Create a storyboard and direct a video.
- Meet a wildlife photographer!
Backcountry Artists
- Make friendship bracelets & felt art.
- Paint a mural as a group.
- Get out in nature and sketch.
Extraordinary Engineering
- Build a rockin’ rollercoaster.
- Paper Towel Competition
- Explore exploding experiments and launch a rocket!
Ocean Conservation
- Zoom Call with SeaLife Center
- Explore the effects of an oil spill
Gold Miner 49er
- Dive into the history of gold panning in Alaska.
- Show off your smarts in an AK trivia competition!
- Pan for gold.
Summer Festival
- Join in on Minute to Win It games & competitions
- Practice soccer, basketball, and ultimate frisbee
- Build a wilderness obstacle course
TNT, Teacher Naturalist in Training - (12+)
- Develop leadership and teamwork skills
- Design an environmental education lesson that aligns with your interests
- Run an activity for a younger age group
High Adventure
1 or 2 Week Program: FABB:
- Go fishing!
- Learn archery skills, and safety.
- Explore with canoeing, kayaking and bicycling excursions.
2 Week Program: Xtreme AK:
- Learn archery skills, and safety.
- Practice canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and biking skills.
- Create a camp cook-out.
2 Week Program: Ride & Rescue:
- Practice canoeing, kayaking, & paddleboarding.
- Learn wilderness first aid skills & practice rescue missions.
- Join a single track skills workshop.
TDC Olympians:
- Play Minute to Win It games.
- Compete in archery, boating, and outdoor relay races.
- Find global flags on a bike scavenger hunt.
Fire Away:
- Learn archery skills, and safety.
- Get to know how fire affects our ecosystems.
- Give it your best shot in an archery competition!
Iron Moose Challenge
- Push yourself to complete the entire Anchorage Moose Loop.
- Explore complex single tracks of Kincaid.
- Compete in hiking and geocaching races.
#Savage Seas:
- Develop and practice kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding skills
- Direct, and film videos with underwater GoPros!
- Create digital content to teach water conservation.
Trail Travelers:
- Bike along local Anchorage trails.
- Design a group 3-D Map and learn navigation skills.
- Hike in local parks and look for signs of wildlife.
Ruth Arcand
Ruth Arcand Park: 3766 Abbott Rd, Anchorage, AK 99507
Download the Grid
Paws and Claws:
- Learn Alaska animal print identification through finger painting.
- Meet a big bird from Bird TLC.
- Discover and practice what it’s like to eat with a beak!
Beaks, Bugs, & Bark:
- Dissect and discover the world inside of a log.
- Explore our wild backyard on a Nature walk.
- Make bug art!
Baby Belugas:
- Learn who lives in the sea
- Sing & dance the Baby Beluga!
- Make art with sand and seashells.
Silly Science:
- Create super slime!
- Blow giant bubbles.
- Launch a rocket.
Peaks & Creeks:
- Learn about water bugs
- Color an Alaska map
- Play the Park Ranger game
The Fab Five:
- Observe nature with all 5 senses.
- Create art you can touch from nature you find.
- Taste wild Alaskan berries.
Rock n Roll:
- Hunt dino eggs.
- Learn the Rock Cycle dance.
- Explore Volcanic eruptions.
Super Salmon:
- Play the salmon life cycle game.
- Learn the Alaska Flag song.
- Create mountain art!
Doodle Bugs:
- Paint a mural with your fingers.
- Build your own rock bug.
- Hunt for water bugs, butterflies, and honeybees!
Outdoor Orchestra:
- Make your own maracas!
- Become a Rhythm master.
- Learn to make music with water.
Buzz & Beyond:
- Grow a plant!
- Learn about pollination.
- Meet a real bee keeper.
Little Rangers:
- Design a park ranger badge.
- Make Alaskan animal print art.
- Learn the 7 principles of Leave No Trace.
Branching Out:
- Learn “Hoo- Lives Here”- bird lesson.
- Make bark rub art.
- Join a scavenger hunt for types of trees!
Ocean Buddies:
- Make a whale of a flower pot.
- Explore the food chain.
- Learn about blubber.
Creative Chemists:
- Form fireworks in a cup.
- Make a magic milk.
- Blast off balloon rockets!
Woodland Wizards:
- Decorate magic wands
- Create a spellbook of Leave No Trace principles
- Build fairy houses in nature
Dino Days:
- Classify rocks.
- Become a paleontologist and excavate a dinosaur.
- Paint a dino egg!
Alaskan Allstars:
- Get moving with the Alaska Native Youth Olympics!
- Create Alaska Flag crafts.
- Meet a dog musher!
Out of this World:
- Explore the Solar System through art.
- Grow a garden.
- Explore the world beneath us- earthworm activity
Colors of the Wind:
- Explore wind chimes in nature.
- Build a beautiful paper kite.
- Play weather pattern games.
Water Wonder:
- Create river wind chime art.
- Discover renewable energy!
- Explore a lake ecosystem.
S’more Fun:
- Build a first aid kit.
- Race to build the perfect campsite!
- Learn fire safety & eat S’mores.
TDC Bonanza:
- Dance with us to say goodbye to Summer.
- Celebrate with Water balloons!
- Join our Scavenger hunt and playground games.
Mighty Mammals:
- Learn animal classification.
- Paint a spotted owl with watercolors.
- Get to know moose and bear safety!
Forest Forensics:
- Write secret messages in invisible ink.
- Pick up animal tracking skills.
- Learn Compass and Map Skills for a scavenger hunt!
AK Ocean Commotion:
- Explore the effects of oil spills.
- Create sand art.
- Play the ocean ecosystem game.
Up, Up, & Away:
- Explore roller coaster creations.
- Launch a rocket!
- Make solar-powered crickets.
Mountain Mindfulness:
- Meditate in nature.
- Hike and watercolor paint.
- Explore endangered species yoga.
Funky Fossils:
- Get to know a glacier.
- Hike to find local fossils.
- Make Alaska dino art!
Arctic Adventures:
- Pan for gold.
- Get moving with the Alaska Native Youth Olympics!
- Dog sled presentation and Iditarod lesson
Fire & Ice:
- Make a homemade ice creation!
- Watch a volcano explode.
- Explore kinetic energy.
Photo-tastic:
- Develop photography and video skills
- Grow a plant and learn about AK flora & fauna
- Join a Polaroid scavenger hunt!
Carnival in the Chugach:
- Tye-dye t-shirts.
- Join an outdoor scavenger hunt.
- Celebrate the end of summer with a bouncy house & games!
High Adventure
Trail Travelers:
- Bike along local Anchorage trails.
- Design a group 3-D Map and learn navigation skills.
- Hike in local parks and look for signs of wildlife.
Outdoor Survival:
- Develop hiking & camping skills such as cooking and animal safety.
- Build an outdoor shelter.
- Learn important wilderness first aid skills.
Earth! A Quest:
- Discover new realms while LARPing on local trails.
- Create a weeklong D&D campaign.
- Concur wilderness challenges!
Backcountry Artists:
- Make friendship bracelets & felt art.
- Paint a mural as a group.
- Get out in nature and sketch.
Backcountry Bloggers:
- Work with digital cameras to create outdoor photos and videos
- Grow your outdoor cooking skills; prepare and photograph a meal!
- Publish your blog skills on the Trailside Instagram account.
TNT, Teacher Naturalist in Training:
- Develop leadership and teamwork skills
- Design an environmental education lesson that aligns with your interests
- Run an activity for a younger age group
High Adventure
Trail Riders Extreme:
- Explore the single tracks of Kincaid and Hillside.
- Learn basic bike mechanics.
- Test your skills with bike challenges.
Trail Travelers:
- Bike along local Anchorage trails.
- Design a group 3-D Map and learn navigation skills.
- Hike in local parks and look for signs of wildlife.
Russian Jack
Lidia Selkregg Chalet at Russian Jack Springs: 1600 Lidia Selkregg Ln, Anchorage, AK 99504
Download the Grid
Paws and Claws:
- Learn Alaska animal print identification through finger painting.
- Meet a big bird from Bird TLC.
- Discover and practice what it’s like to eat with a beak!
Beaks, Bugs, & Bark:
- Dissect and discover the world inside of a log.
- Explore our wild backyard on a Nature walk.
- Make bug art!
Baby Belugas:
- Learn who lives in the sea
- Sing & dance the Baby Beluga!
- Make art with sand and seashells.
Silly Science:
- Create super slime!
- Blow giant bubbles.
- Launch a rocket.
Peaks & Creeks:
- Learn about water bugs
- Color an Alaska map
- Play the Park Ranger game
The Fab Five:
- Observe nature with all 5 senses.
- Create art you can touch from nature you find.
- Taste wild Alaskan berries.
Rock n Roll:
- Hunt dino eggs.
- Learn the Rock Cycle dance.
- Explore Volcanic eruptions.
Super Salmon:
- Play the salmon life cycle game.
- Learn the Alaska Flag song.
- Create mountain art!
Buzz & Beyond:
- Grow a plant!
- Learn about pollination.
- Meet a real beekeeper.
Happy Campers:
- Sing around the campfire.
- Celebrate S’mores and fire safety.
- Earn your camping badge!
Doodle Bugs:
- Paint a mural with your fingers.
- Build your own rock bug.
- Hunt for water bugs, butterflies, and honeybees!
Outdoor Orchestra:
- Make your own maracas!
- Become a Rhythm master.
- Learn to make music with water.
Little Rangers:
- Design a park ranger badge.
- Make Alaskan animal print art.
- Learn the 7 principles of Leave No Trace.
Branching Out:
- Learn “Hoo- Lives Here”- bird lesson.
- Make bark rub art.
- Join a scavenger hunt for types of trees!
Ocean Buddies:
- Make a whale of a flower pot.
- Explore the food chain.
- Learn about blubber.
Creative Chemists:
- Form fireworks in a cup.
- Make a magic milk.
- Blast off balloon rockets!
Woodland Wizards:
- Decorate magic wands
- Create a spellbook of Leave No Trace principles
- Build fairy houses in nature
Dino Days:
- Classify rocks.
- Become a paleontologist and excavate a dinosaur.
- Paint a dino egg!
Alaskan Allstars:
- Get moving with the Alaska Native Youth Olympics!
- Create Alaska Flag crafts.
- Meet a dog musher!
Out of this World:
- Explore the Solar System through art.
- Grow a garden.
- Explore the world beneath us- earthworm activity
Colors of the Wind:
- Explore wind chimes in nature.
- Build a beautiful paper kite.
- Play weather pattern games.
Water Wonder:
- Create river wind chime art.
- Discover renewable energy!
- Explore a lake ecosystem.
S’more Fun:
- Build a first aid kit.
- Race to build the perfect campsite!
- Learn fire safety & eat S’mores.
TDC Bonanza:
- Dance with us to say goodbye to Summer.
- Celebrate with Water balloons!
- Join our Scavenger hunt and playground games.
Mighty Mammals:
- Learn animal classification.
- Paint a spotted owl with watercolors.
- Get to know moose and bear safety!
Up, Up, & Away:
- Explore roller coaster creations.
- Launch a rocket!
- Make solar-powered crickets.
Mountain Mindfulness:
- Meditate in nature.
- Hike and watercolor paint.
- Explore endangered species yoga.
Photo-tastic:
- Develop photography and video skills
- Grow a plant and learn about AK flora & fauna
- Join a Polaroid scavenger hunt!
Arctic Adventures:
- Pan for gold.
- Get moving with the Alaska Native Youth Olympics!
- Dog sled presentation and Iditarod lesson
High Adventure
2 Week Program- Land & Lake Stewards:
- Practice canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and biking skills.
- Learn the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace.
- Explore lake ecosystems & water conservation.
2 Week Program- Alaska Adventure:
- Practice canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and biking skills.
- Explore Alaskan plants and local trails.
- Develop backcountry navigation skills with geocaching.
Pedal & Paddle:
- Learn trail biking basics.
- Practice canoeing & kayaking.
- Join a wildlife Scavenger hunt.
Trail Travelers:
- Bike along local Anchorage trails.
- Design a group 3-D Map and learn navigation skills.
- Hike in local parks and look for signs of wildlife.
Trail Riders:
- Learn trail biking basics.
- Explore & ride on local Anchorage paved trails.
- Get to know bike parts and maintenance.
Backcountry Adventurers:
- Explore dirt trails
- Learn biking skills for single tracks
- Cook up some fun camp meals.
Photography in the Wild:
- Develop photography skills.
- Create a storyboard and direct a video.
- Meet a wildlife photographer!
TNT, Teacher Naturalist in Training (12+):
- Develop leadership and teamwork skills
- Design an environmental education lesson that aligns with your interests
- Run an activity for a younger age group
High Adventure
Pedal & Paddle:
- Learn trail biking basics.
- Practice canoeing & kayaking.
- Join a wildlife Scavenger hunt.
Iron Moose Challenge:
- Push yourself to complete the entire Anchorage Moose Loop.
- Explore single tracks.
- Compete in hiking and geocaching races.
Venture Bound Vikings:
- Practice canoeing, kayaking, & paddle boarding.
- Explore Norse Mythology!
- Build your own Viking shield.
Books & Boats:
- Practice canoeing and kayaking skills.
- Relax by the lake with your favorite book.
- Play Mad Lib Mania and character charades!
Want to learn more about our programs? Contact trailside@akcenter.org or call (907) 274-KIDS (5437).
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 when outside (informed by parental preference) unless in proximity to members of the public or during other times where staff feel masks are necessary.
- Masks are required for all campers & staff when inside buildings.
- 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!