Have you ever wondered how the beautiful trails of Alaska became the way they are? Have you looked at the trail under your feet and noticed that it could use some repairs and maintenance? With the Seward Trail-Design & Construction Course you can have those questions answered while being part of a team that fixes them! Spend your days immersed in the Chugach National Forest while working alongside rangers on a timeless project that will be used by Alaskan’s and visitors for generations. You’ll then bring these newfound trail building skills to a large-scale project in partnership with Alaska Trails on June 10th. And after a fulfilling day of work, you will return to the peaceful Trail River Campground, nestled right near Kenai Lake. Eat warm food, enjoy a campfire, and explore the wonders of the area while creating life-long bonds with your crew.

Ages 14-18. Please see “Course Details” for physical requirements. No experience required. 

Adventure into the spectacular peaks, whitewater creeks, and lush forested and alpine terrain of the Kenai Mountains. Backpack 23-miles along a section of the Iditarod National Historic Trail and the old Johnson Military Road, a wagon road that connected the boom towns along the Turnagain Arm. Learn fundamental backpacking skills while contributing to the longevity of the Chugach National Forest by helping with basic trail maintenance such as dispersing fire rings, brushing, trash pickup, collecting GPS coordinates to rangers. You will have the opportunity to explore this area deeply as you move to a new camp every night and meet with Chugach National Forest rangers, staff, and trail crews. 

Ages 13-15. Please see “Course Details” for physical requirements. No experience required.

Spend 7 days living, camping, and working on a glacial moraine beach in a stunning fjord on the western edge of Prince William Sound. Take a water taxi from Whittier to watch marine wildlife and listen to the loud, unique glacial sounds from Blackstone Glacier while working alongside Chugach National Forest backcountry rangers and staff on important conservation projects. Follow in the footsteps of AK Geo Alum by further developing a more sustainable campground at 17-Mile Beach camp and spend each afternoon learning fundamental sea kayaking skills in the calm glacial fjord. Embrace the rest days to explore the coastline wherever the group desires via kayak or foot. Few people get to spend such a long time in this beautiful location; this unique experience will allow you to connect with and learn from the Prince William Sound with it’s community and rangers alongside you. In the evenings, enjoy a large basecamp where you can create life-long relationships with other Alaska teens. 

Ages 15-18. Please see “Course Details” for physical requirements. Participants must be under 250lbs because of the size capacity of our kayaks. No experience required.

Immerse yourself in the rugged peaks, high alpine meadows, alpine lakes, rainforests, and glaciers of the Chugach National Forest and Kenai Fjords National Park in one remarkable experience. Backpack to a new camp every night, enjoying warm food around a campfire while creating life-long bonds with other Alaska teens. Create a unique connection to the Chugach National Forest by participating in basic trail maintenance to keep the Lost Lake and Primrose Trails healthy for continued use. After days of backpacking, enjoy a drive to the exceptional Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park to meet with their rangers and discuss how glaciology affects your community.  

Ages 13-15. Please see “Course Details” for physical requirements. No experience required.

Explore the beauties of Kenai Fjords National Park via the Exit Glacier visitor center and it’s surrounding wilderness. Meet with park staff to learn about glaciology and the wonders of how the park came to be what it is today. Hike and camp along the trail that leads to Exit Glacier and the Harding Icefield. This trip is a wonderful way to get into backpacking while being in an environment that provides stunning views and scenery that people from all over the world come to see. At the end of each day you’ll get to camp out and eat delicious food with your group and trip leaders. There is nothing quite like the ice fields of Alaska, this is sure to be an adventure you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

Ages 14 – 18. Please see “Course Details” for physical requirements. No experience required.

Paddle in this island passage amongst Chugach peaks while developing lasting bonds with other Alaska teens. Learn fundamentals of expedition kayaking, camping, and navigation while your group decides where to paddle and explore each day. Experience unique vantage points of the Prince William Sound on short hikes to vistas and lakes while keeping an eye out for humpbacks, orcas, and seals. Contribute to the longevity of the Prince William Sound by stopping along the way to help with basic maintenance, such as dispersing fire rings, brushing, trash pickup, and sending GPS coordinates to rangers where camps need more assistance.  Spend peaceful evenings at beach camps with your new friends.

Ages 15-18. Please see “Course Details” for physical requirements. Participants must be under 250lbs because of the size capacity of our kayaks. No experience required.

Experience the untamed wilderness of Denali National Park in a way that few get to – a week side by side with National Park Rangers, Scientists, Cultural Specialists, and Sled Dogs. Explore the ecology and cultural heritage of Denali National Park, learn about park science, participate in Citizen Science, and practice wilderness travel skills. You will be able to enjoy the quiet of nature while camping in tents at a peaceful campground in Denali National Park. Deeply immerse into Denali with a night at our AK Geo and NPS Teklanika Field Camp, enjoying the last night with your new friends with a cozy yurt and wall tents.

Ages 13-15. Please see “Course Details” for physical requirements. No experience required.

Look for invasive species and explore the calm, peaceful water of Eshamy Bay. This unique community building experience is your opportunity to create a healthier Prince William Sound while learning from Chugach National Forest backcountry rangers and Chugach tribal members from the Chugach Regional Resources Commission. Guest scientists and local experts will be part of the expedition, including marine and wildlife biologists, community leaders, and public land management organizations. As a group, you will take knowledge from their experiences while you discuss with your AK Geo instructors to plan a full-day kayaking and hiking excursion before your trip ends. Enjoy the marine wildlife and peaceful Prince William Sound while building self-confidence and developing life-long friendships with other Alaska teens.

Ages 13-15. Please see “Course Details” for physical requirements. Participants must be under 250lbs because of the size capacity of our kayaks. No experience required.

Feel like you can’t get enough adventures with Alaska Geographic? Want to meet other folks who have done trips just like yourself? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then this trip is probably for you! This backpacking expedition is for Alaska Geographic Alumni looking to further their outdoor knowledge and expedition experiences. Hike and camp within the forests and mountains off the Denali Highway with other Alaska Geographic alumni. Regale each other with stories of your past expedition experiences and see how they compare to the trip you’ll be doing together. This trip is a wonderful way to meet like minded people all while exploring and adventuring within Alaska’s beautiful wilderness.

Ages 15 – 18. Please see “Course Details” for physical requirements. No experience required.

This sea kayaking expedition takes place in Western Prince William Sound. Participants will learn how to travel among the coves and islands of the Sound and spend their evenings camped out as a team. Beautiful views of aquatic wildlife, glaciers among peaks, and waterfalls where the ocean meets the land are all part of this journey. This is a great trip for anyone who wants to further their knowledge on sea kayaking or just wants to explore the Prince William Sound. Students will also engage in light stewardship projects during their adventure as a way to help maintain the pristine beauty of the Prince William Sound.

Ages 15-18. Please see “course details” for physical requirements. No experience required.