Manitoba Cabin: June 3rd to June 7th 

This is a week-long program focused 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 Manitoba Cabins. On the trip, campers will go hiking to explore the many trails in the area. They will also put their new camping skills to the test all 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 a night away from home without their caretakers. 

Intro to Camping - Eklutna: June 24th to June 28th

This is a week-long program focused 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 Eklutna Campground. Thursday night will be spent exploring camp and putting 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 in order to learn to hike with crampons on the glacier!

Hidden Lake Kayaking: June 3rd-June 14th

This is a two-week-long program focused on learning about and exploring one of Alaska’s most famous lake systems!! Campers will spend the first week of the program in Anchorage learning about lake ecology and Alaskan ecosystems. Campers will help create a meal plan, practice their camp cooking skills, pack group gear, and prep for their trip. The second week of the program includes a four-day, three-night backcountry camping trip based out of Skilak Lake to Hidden Island. On the first night, campers will frontcountry camp on Skilak Lake in preparation for their kayak trip. Campers will then kayak from the shores of Skilak Lake out to Hidden Island, where they will set up camp for two nights. 

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

Tonsina Point Backpacking: July 8th to July 19th 

This two-week program is designed as an introduction to backpacking, perfect for campers who are excited to grow in their skills and independence! The first week takes place in Anchorage working on camp skills, such as cooking, gear prep, meal planning, and backpacking essentials. The second week of the program includes a four-day, three-night trip to Seward, Alaska. Spend a night at Miller’s Landing Campground discovering ocean life and tidal zones before backpacking 2 miles out to Tonsina Point campground for 2 nights of camping, hiking, exploring, and learning! 

Difficulty: Intermediate - While campers should have the maturity and independence to spend 3 nights camping away from home, they do not need to have technical skills as we will teach them the skills they need to enjoy a backpacking trip.

Halibut Cove Lagoon Sea Kayaking: June 17th - June 28th

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, and partner cooperation, as well as creating a meal plan and packing for their adventure. The second week of the program will be a five-day, four-night trip to Halibut Cove Lagoon. On Monday, campers will take a water taxi across the Homer Spit to camp in Kachemak Bay State Park. Tuesday and Wednesday will be spent exploring tidal treasures while kayaking around Halibut Cove Lagoon. A water taxi will pick the group back 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, June 17th  on a normal day camp schedule for the first week. It departs Monday (6/24) and returns on Friday afternoon (6/28) to derig & unpack!

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

Reed Lakes Backpacking: July 22nd to August 2nd

Join us for a two-week-long program focused on hiking, backpacking, and leadership skills. In this program, you will spend the first week of the program in Anchorage developing hiking skills, as well as creating a meal plan and packing as a group for your adventure. The second week is a five-day, four-night backpacking trip in Hatcher Pass State Park. Explore both the lower and upper Reed Lakes and put your backpacking and leadership skills into action! 

Difficulty: Advanced - Some previous camping & backpacking experience required. Campers will have a chance to practice hiking with packs on, but will need to be able to hike 5 miles & traverse boulders with a pack on to make it to camp.

Youth Leaders in Action🛶 (June 10th to June 14th)

Campers and AYEA teens alike are invited to take part in Trailside Discovery Camp’s Climate Leaders in Action program to bond with peers and get our youth excited about the connection between AYEA’s and Trailside’s mission! This is a week-long program for campers ages 12+ who will soon be transitioning out of camp and into AYEA. Current AYEA teens are encouraged to sign up to learn about opportunities available through Trailside, including summer employment as an Assistant Instructor for our environmental education or high adventure programs. Participants will reflect on their roles as environmental stewards, learn about environmental topics affecting Alaska, bond with peers while kayaking, and design an action project to carry out over the week. Campers can expect to meet members and mentors from AYEA and learn how to apply for their week-long fall summit, where AYEA teens from all over the state come together to create and implement a statewide campaign of their choosing. AYEA teens can expect to apply their leadership and organizing skills as well as be exposed to opportunities for engagement and resume-building through Trailside. 

MORE ABOUT ALASKA YOUTH FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION (AYEA)