Quest Trips and Adventures- The Alaska Center Education Fund

Quest Trips

Our Alaska Quest Trips are designed for campers who are ready to learn or expand their backcountry camping skills and push themselves in a safe and fun environment. Our Trip sessions include a day camp portion and an overnight portion (1 or 2-week programs depending on age group). The day camp portion runs out of Kincaid Park, where campers will learn and practice their backcountry skills, prep their gear, and bond with their peers. Then, campers and trip guides will set out on overnight adventures (1-4 nights, depending on the trip) for an unforgettable experience on Alaska’s trails, rivers, and oceans! Specific COVID-19 Mitigation plans will be released later in 2023.

enrollment opens January 11, 2023

Hello Trailside Families,

My name is Ally, and I am the Program Manager for Trailside Discovery Camp. Last summer, I drove my campervan from New Hampshire all the way up here to Alaska to spend my summer experiencing nature with campers as an Instructor and Trip Guide based out of our Kincaid Park location. It’s been quite the adventure that has taught me so many life lessons while allowing me to understand the beauty of our world on a more intimate level. And that is exactly what our Quest Trips are all about!

The outdoors has always been a calming constant throughout my childhood and young adult life. It is a place where one can reflect, relax, and feel grounded amidst everything else that is going on in life. Not to mention the sense of accomplishment that comes with thriving in the backcountry - building your own fire, cooking your own hot meals, and pitching your own tent make you feel like you can do anything!

This summer, I’ve worked to create Quest Trips that reflect my sense of adventure, so I know that our campers will love them! Quest Trips give campers the perfect amount of freedom and independence while also providing a safe, supportive environment to learn outdoor skills and stewardship values that will last a lifetime. All of our 2023 trips are overnight adventures that I have personally done, ranging from 1-night frontcountry trips where you can drive a vehicle to your tent spot to 4-night backcountry trips where you get to take a water taxi that drops you off in true wilderness! These trips will be an experience that your camper will never forget, forging long-lasting friendships, building confidence, and instilling a love for our natural world.

See you at camp!

Ally Merrill

Enrollment Opens Jan 11

Intro to Camping in Portage Valley: June 12th to June 16th ($430)

This week-long program focuses on camping skills, leadership, and outdoor exploration! In this program, campers will work as a team Monday through Wednesday to prepare for their camping trip on a normal day camp schedule. In these first few days, they will gain skills in outdoor cooking, setting up camp, building a campfire, and safety in the outdoors. Then, they will leave Thursday morning to spend one night at Williwaw Campground in Portage Valley. On the trip, campers will explore the Begich Boggs Visitor Center and go on a hike to see a glacier up close! They will also test their new camping skills while making memories to last a lifetime. The trip will return Friday afternoon to unpack.

Difficulty: Beginner- No previous experience necessary. Campers will learn the skills needed but must be able to spend anight away from home without their caretakers.

Exploring Matanuska Glacier: July 24th to July 28th ($430)

This week-long program focuses on camping skills, leadership, and outdoor exploration! In this program, campers will work as a team Monday through Wednesday to prepare for their camping trip on a normal day camp schedule. In these first few days, they will gain skills in outdoor cooking, setting up camp, building a campfire, and safety in the outdoors. Then, campers will leave Thursday morning and head to Matanuska Glacier for a guided hike on the ice. Thursday night campers will explore the camp and put new camp skills to work, all while making new friends and gaining confidence in the outdoors! The trip will return Friday afternoon to unpack.

Difficulty: Beginner -No previous camping experience needed. Campers will learn the necessary skills but must be comfortable spending a night away from home without their caretakers. Campers must also be competent hikers to learn to hike with crampons on the glacier!

Kenai Fjords National Park Camping: June 19th-June 30th ($920)

This is a two-week-long program focused on learning about and exploring one of America’s most pristine National Parks! Campers will spend the first week of the program in Anchorage, learning about sea life in Alaska and how glaciers have carved the varied landscapes we recreate on today. Campers will help create a meal plan, practice their camp cooking skills, pack group gear, and prep for their trip. The program’s second week includes a four-day, three-night front country camping trip based out of Miller’s Landing in Seward. Campers will go on a full-day marine tour of Kenai Fjords, having the opportunity to see and learn about massive glaciers, seals, sea lions, otters, puffins, whales, and more! Campers will also hike to Exit Glacier and Tonsina Point as day hikes, learn about the natural environment and build bonds with campmates. This program begins June 19th and will be on a normal day camp schedule the first week and Monday of the second week. The trip will depart Tuesday morning (6/27) and return Friday afternoon (6/30).

Difficulty: Intermediate- While campers should have the maturity and independence to spend 3 nights camping away from home, they do not need technical skills or backcountry experience as this will be a front-country trip.

Denali National Park Camping: July 5th to July 14th ($900)

This is a two-week-long program focused on hiking, camping, and experiencing Denali National Park! The first week of the program will be in Anchorage, learning about the Alaska Range and the history of Denali. Campers will help create a meal plan, practice their camp cooking skills, pack group gear, and prep for their trip. The program’s second week includes a four-day, three-night front country camping trip based out of Savage River Campground within Denali National Park. Campers will hike the Savage Alpine Trail, plan and hike an off-trail hiking route, meet Denali’s sled dogs, visit the Murie Science &Learning Center to learn about what scientists in the Park study, and get their Junior Ranger badges while talking with a Park Ranger. This program begins July 5th and will be on a normal day camp schedule the first week and Monday of the second week. The trip will depart Tuesday morning (7/11) and return Friday afternoon (7/14).

Crescent Lake Backpacking: June 5th to June 16th ($920)

This is a two-week-long program focused on hiking, backpacking, and leadership skills. In this program, you will spend the first week in Anchorage on a normal day camp schedule. Campers will develop backpacking skills, create a meal plan, and pack as a group for their adventure. The second week is a five-day, four-night trip in the Chugach National Forest. Campers will drive to Quartz Creek Campground on Monday to camp, hang out, and rest up for their journey in the backcountry. Tuesday morning, the group will begin their hike up the Crescent Lake Trail to their camp spot at the shore of the lake. Campers will have a full day to explore Crescent Lake, bond with new friends, and practice their backcountry cooking skills on Wednesday. The group will hike back down Thursday morning for one more night at Quartz Creek Campground, and the trip will return early Friday afternoon to unpack.

Difficulty: Advanced - Previous camping and hiking experience required. Campers with previous backpacking experience are encouraged to go on this trip, but motivated individuals without prior backcountry experience will be taught the necessary skills. Campers will need to be able to hike 6 miles with a full pack to make it to camp.

Kachemak Bay State Park Kayaking: July 10th-July 21st ($920)

This is a two-week-long program focused on sea kayaking, camp skills, and ocean ecology. In this program, campers will spend the first week in Anchorage practicing kayaking, water safety, partner cooperation, creating a meal plan, and packing for their adventure. The program’s second week will be a five-day, four-night trip to Kachemak Bay State Park in Homer, AK. On Monday, campers will take a water taxi across the Homer Spit to camp in Kachemak Bay State Park. Tuesday and Wednesday, capers will explore tidal treasures while kayaking around Sadie Cove and Tutka Bay. A water taxi will pick the group up on Thursday to camp on the Homer Spit for one night before driving back to Anchorage to be picked up Friday afternoon. This program begins Monday, July 10th, on a normal day camp schedule for the first week. It departs Monday(7/17) and returns on Friday afternoon (7/21) to “de-rig” & unpack!

Difficulty: Advanced - Some previous camping & kayaking experience is required. Campers will have a chance to practice paddling techniques but must be able to paddle near the shore in the sea for about 6 miles to explore all that KachemakBay has to offer.

Hope & Kenai Fishing: July 24th to August 4th ($920)

This is a two-week-long program focused on sustainable Alaskan fishing. In this program, campers will spend the first week(7/24 - 7/28) and the following Monday (7/31) at the day camp in Anchorage learning about the different types of Alaskan salmon and fish, how to rig a fishing rod, various fishing techniques, as well as prepping gear & creating a meal plan for the trip. The second week will be a four-day, three-night camping trip (8/1 - 8/4), spending time in Hope & Kenai. Campers will spend Tuesday night in Cooper Landing to wake up early Wednesday for a fishing charter on the Kenai. The group will then move camp to SeaView in Hope for Wednesday and Thursday night, where they can spend time fishing for salmon in Resurrection Creek and bonding with their campmates. The trip will return early Friday afternoon to unpack.

Difficulty: Intermediate+ - Some previous camping experience required, no previous fishing experience necessary. Campers must be okay with camping for three nights, but all fishing skills will be taught during the program.

Sustainability Stewards (July 31st- August 12th)

AYEA teens are invited to join Trailside Discovery Camp’s Sustainability Stewards program to bond with peers and get our youth excited about AYEA’s mission! For Trailside youth, this is a two-week-long program for campers ages 12+ who will soon be transitioning out of camp and hopefully into AYEA. AYEA teens can sign up to join the first week of this program, which includes a two-night camping trip at Eklutna. Participants will reflect on their roles as environmental stewards, design an action project for the following week, and go berry picking to make homemade jam. AYEA teens can volunteer with Trailside for the second week of this program. This is an excellent opportunity to practice your environmental leadership skills by leading workshops about topics of your choice and helping campers complete their action project. Teens will also get to go boating and fishing this week. Come help inspire the next generation of potential AYEA members!

More about Alaska Youth For Environmental Action (AYEA)