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 the Russian Jack site, 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!
enrollment opens January 6, 2025
Cost for These Programs: $625
Manitoba Cabin
This week-long program introduces campers to essential camping skills, teamwork, and outdoor exploration! From Monday to Wednesday, campers will work together on a day camp schedule to prepare for their overnight adventure, learning skills such as outdoor cooking, camp setup, fire-building, and outdoor safety.
On Thursday morning, campers will embark on an overnight trip to the Manitoba Cabins, where they’ll hike and explore the scenic trails and put their new skills into action, all while creating memories to last a lifetime. The group will return Friday afternoon to unpack.
Difficulty: Beginner — No prior experience is required. Campers will learn all necessary skills but must be comfortable spending a night away from home without their caretakers.
Intro to Camping: Eklutna
This week-long program introduces campers to foundational camping skills, teamwork, and outdoor exploration! From Monday to Wednesday, campers will follow a day camp schedule, learning essential skills like outdoor cooking, camp setup, fire-building, and outdoor safety.
On Thursday morning, the group will head to Eklutna Campground for an overnight adventure. Campers will spend the evening exploring the campground, practicing their new skills, building friendships, and gaining confidence in the outdoors. The trip returns Friday afternoon for unpacking and wrap-up.
Difficulty: Beginner — No prior camping experience required. Campers will learn all necessary skills but must be comfortable spending a night away from home without their caretakers. Campers must also be prepared for light hiking, including learning to hike with crampons on the glacier!
Intro to Camping: Portage
This week-long program focuses on essential camping skills, leadership, and bike-based exploration! From Monday to Wednesday, campers will follow a day camp schedule, learning outdoor skills like cooking, camp setup, fire-building, and safety in the wilderness.
On Thursday morning, campers will set off for an overnight adventure at Portage Campground. Campers are encouraged to bring their bikes (or borrow one from TDC) for a short, beginner-friendly trail ride to the Portage Visitor Center, where they’ll learn about glaciers! The group will return Friday afternoon to unpack and reflect on their adventure.
Difficulty: Beginner — No previous camping experience is required. Campers will learn all necessary skills but must be comfortable spending a night away from home without their caretakers. Biking will be on paved trails and suitable for beginners.
Cost for These Programs: $1,400
Hidden Lake Kayaking
This two-week program offers campers the chance to learn about and explore one of Alaska’s most famous lake systems! The first week is based in Anchorage, where campers will delve into lake ecology and Alaskan ecosystems. They’ll participate in creating meal plans, learning boating skills, practice camp cooking skills, packing group gear, and preparing for their backcountry adventure.
In the second week, campers will embark on a four-day, three-night backcountry camping trip at Hidden Lake. They’ll start with a night of frontcountry camping to get ready for the kayak journey, then paddle from Hidden Lake to Explorer Island, where they’ll set up camp for two nights. Days will be spent kayaking, exploring the lake, and visiting nearby islands. The group will return on Friday to unpack and wrap up their journey.
Difficulty: Intermediate — No prior backcountry experience is required; however, campers should have the maturity and independence to spend three nights away from home. Previous boating experience is not necessary, but campers must be comfortable paddling a kayak for several hours, with skill-building sessions included in the first week.
Tonsina Point Backpacking
This two-week program is an ideal introduction to backpacking for campers ready to develop new skills and independence! The first week takes place in Anchorage, where campers will focus on camp skills like cooking, gear preparation, meal planning, and backpacking essentials.
In the second week, campers will set out on a four-day, three-night adventure to Seward, Alaska. The trip begins with a night at Miller’s Landing Campground, where campers will explore ocean life and tidal zones. From there, they’ll backpack two miles to Tonsina Point for two nights filled with camping, hiking, exploring, and hands-on learning.
Difficulty: Intermediate — Campers should have the maturity and independence to spend three nights away from home. No technical skills are required, as campers will learn everything they need to enjoy a successful backpacking experience.
Cost for These Programs: $1,500
Nancy Lake Canoeing: Lynx Lake Loop
This two-week program teaches the fundamentals of canoe travel and navigation, offering campers an immersive experience on Alaska’s waterways. The first week takes place in Anchorage, where campers will learn gear preparation, meal planning, and essential canoe and portage skills.
In the second week, campers will embark on a 5-day, 4-night canoeing journey across the scenic Lynx Lake Loop at Nancy Lakes. The group will paddle, explore, and make camp along the way, returning on Friday afternoon to unpack and reflect on their adventure.
Difficulty: Advanced – Some prior camping and canoeing experience is required. While campers will practice paddling techniques, they must be comfortable paddling multiple miles as well as portaging up to three quarters of a mile helping carry gear & canoes.
Johnson Pass Backpacking
Join us for this two-week program focused on hiking, backpacking, and leadership skills. During the first week in Anchorage, campers will develop essential hiking techniques, create a group meal plan, and prepare and pack together for their adventure.
The second week takes campers on a five-day, four-night backpacking journey through Johnson Pass in the stunning Kenai Mountains. The group will trek the 23-mile pass, exploring lakes and valleys along the way, before returning to Anchorage on Friday afternoon to unpack.
Difficulty: Advanced – Some prior camping and backpacking experience is required. While campers will practice hiking with packs during the first week, they should be prepared to hike 5-6 miles per day with a loaded backpack.
Youth Leaders in Action🛶 (June 30-July 3)
Campers and AYEA Teens are invited to participate in Trailside Discovery Camp’s Youth Leaders in Action program to bond with peers and get our youth excited about the connection between AYEA’s and Trailside’s mission! 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 program. Participants will reflect on their roles as environmental stewards, learn about environmental topics affecting Alaska, bond with peers, and design an action project to carry out over the week.
Campers can expect to meet members and mentors from AYEA and learn about 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.