

ALASKA
LEADERSHIP IN THE LAST FRONTIER
A 21-Day Leadership & Wilderness Adventure Program







Alaska

Program Details
2023 Dates: | June 28 – July 18 July 12 – August 1 |
Duration: | 21 days |
Tuition: | $5,995* |
Arrive: | Anchorage |
Depart: | Anchorage |
Grade: | 9th, 10th, 11th & 12th |
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Program Highlights
- Backpack and Camp in the Heart of the Last Frontier With Breathtaking Views of Majestic Denali
- Travel by Foot Across the Stunning Matanuska Glacier and Learn the Basics of Ice Climbing From Professional Guides
- Whitewater Raft the Mighty Nenana River to Experience Exhilarating Rapids and Unbelievable Mountain Views
- Explore the Famous Landscapes of Denali National Park and Watch for Alaska’s “Big Five”: Moose, Caribou, Dall Sheep, Wolves and Grizzly Bears
- Witness Massive Glaciers Crashing Into the Ocean and Spot Whales, Dolphins, Sea Lions and Puffins in Kenai Fjords National Park
- Explore the Wilds of Alaska While Learning Important Wilderness Techniques and Leave No Trace Principles
Spotlight Experience
Backpacking in Denali State Park
Composed of lowland streams, alpine tundra, and high mountain ridges, Denali State Park’s diverse landscape offers the perfect opportunity for building our backpacking skills in a safe and unique setting. We take a day to make final preparations and discuss important leadership and wilderness components, and then don our backpacks for a five-day trek along the wildflower-covered K’esugi Ridge Trail with panoramic views of the Alaska Range to the west and the Talkeetna Range to the east. As we hike we watch bald eagles soar over our heads and might also spot Dall sheep, moose, arctic foxes, and caribou in the distance. Gaining the ridge, we bask in stunning views, and if the skies are clear, we find the massive Denali looming over us. Along the way, we apply important Leave No Trace principles and wilderness ethics, while building our self-confidence and leadership abilities.
Program Overview
Build your wilderness and leadership skills by exploring the untouched wilderness of America’s “Last Frontier.” Savor the sight of the Alaska Range stretching for hundreds of miles as you trek through alpine tundra and a kaleidoscope of wildflowers to unbelievable mountain views. Feel the exhilaration of whitewater rafting class II and III rapids or spotting a grizzly bear in the wilds of Denali National Park. Experience the thrill of crossing a seemingly endless glacier and climbing a shimmering ice wall. Sea kayak to the far reaches of the incomparable Prince William Sound and watch humpback whales and orcas swim just feet away from you during a ferry tour of Kenai Fjords National Park. For a journey beyond the extraordinary, there is certainly no place quite like Alaska!
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Program Details
Arrival in Anchorage & Reindeer Farm
Leaving home far behind, participants are met by their leaders at the Anchorage airport. Our first destination is our campground on the outskirts of Anchorage where we spend time getting to know each other through introductory games and activities. Here in the “Land of the Midnight Sun” the sun doesn’t set until close to midnight in Anchorage. This gives us lots of time to get to know each other, introduce ARCC’s comprehensive leadership activities, and discuss our personal and group goals for our epic Alaska adventure. We also visit a local reindeer farm to come face-to-snout with some of these friendly Arctic creatures that call Alaska home.
Ice Climbing & Glacier Hiking
Braided glacial rivers, endless snowfields, jagged peaks, and ancient glaciers dominate the landscape during the next stage of our adventure. Partnering with a local guiding service we get the unique opportunity to explore the Matanuska Glacier while further building our technical skills. Through guided instruction, we learn the art of glacier travel and ice-climbing, including using an ice ax, tying specialty knots, and belaying your adventure partners. At night we make our way to our riverside campsite and watch the midnight sun reflect off a landscape of ice that we will never forget. Past students have raved about glacier climbing as one of the most unique and exciting activities they have ever done!
Denali National Park & Whitewater Rafting
With more than 6 million acres of protected land and only one ribbon of road throughout the entire park, we immerse ourselves entirely in the wilds of Alaska – and at its heart towers Denali. Taken from the Tanana Indian word meaning “The High One,” Denali holds a special place in the hearts of many adventurers and those who have called these wildlands home for thousands of years. We board park service buses and travel the lonely road deep into the park, watching the landscape turn from Taiga Forest to high tundra and snowy mountains. We learn about this unique and wild landscape from a trained naturalist and keep our eyes peeled for amazing wildlife like moose, caribou and grizzly bears. We can step off the bus anywhere we like along the way to hike and explore, and then hop onto the next bus to continue our journey.
Hiking in the park is fun, but next we explore the Denali landscape in a different way, from the waters of the beautiful Nenana River. We begin our day with a calm and scenic float through the Denali landscape but by afternoon we drop into the Nenana Canyon to tackle thrilling rapids such as “Razorback”, “Coffee Grinder”, and “Ice Worm”.
Backpack in the Shadow of Mt. Denali
From Anchorage we travel north to Denali State Park where we get our first real taste of Alaska’s famous wild landscapes and a front row view of Denali, North America’s highest peak at 20,310 feet. Composed of lowland streams, alpine tundra, and high mountain ridges, Denali State Park’s diverse landscape is the perfect setting for our first adventure. We take a day to make final preparations and discuss important leadership and wilderness components, and then don our backpacks for a five-day trek along wildflower-covered ridges with panoramic views of the Alaska Range to the west and the Talkeetna Range to the east. As we hike we watch bald eagles soar over our heads and might also spot Dall sheep, arctic foxes, and caribou in the distance. Gaining the ridge, we bask in stunning views, and if the skies are clear, we have a front row seat to the massive Denali looming over us.
Kenai Peninsula & Kenai Fjords National Park
The last leg of our journey takes us to the beautiful Kenai Peninsula, a pristine landscape of misty temperate rainforests, glacier-capped mountains and rugged coastlines. The picturesque harbor town of Seward is our home base for this section, which includes a day hike up Exit Glacier to see panoramic views of the massive Harding Icefield, a landscape of ice stretching as far as the eye can see. We visit the Alaska SeaLife Aquarium, then embark on a guided ferry tour into Kenai Fjords National Park, for up-close viewing of calving glaciers and the chance to spot humpback and orca whales, puffins, otters, porpoises, and sea lions.
Our adventure eventually comes to an end back in Anchorage where we celebrate our incredible foray into one of the most remote places in North America and with Alaska forever stamped on our hearts.
Common Questions
Where do we sleep?
This is an entirely camping-based program. The group will camp in National Parks, State Parks, National Forest Service land, and private campsites. The majority of our campgrounds are “front-country,” meaning you will be close to the group’s van while camping. While at these front-country campgrounds you will have restroom facilities and water for drinking, cooking, and washing hands. Many of the campgrounds will also have showers on-site.
As a part of the adventure, you will also set out on a 5-day/4-night backpack in the Alaskan wilderness. For this section you will be carrying your personal gear (clothes, sleeping bag and pad) as well as all group gear (tents, cooking gear) needed for this component. These campsites will be “wilderness sites” and may not have running water or bathroom facilities.
How will we travel?
Each group will travel together, with the leaders, in a combination of 15-passenger van and small equipment truck, which will carry the personal and group gear. The van and equipment truck will become the group’s mobile home base so it will be important that students help keep the van and truck clean and organized through their journey.
What is the food like?
Students are generally pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food on an ARCC program. The group will work together to create each unique menu and prepare the delicious meals throughout the duration of this trip, with occasional meals out at local restaurants. Vegetarian and other dietary needs (i.e., allergies, food preferences) are easily catered for. Students should inform ARCC of any dietary needs before the start of the program.
Do I need some sort of ID to travel?
If you are traveling from somewhere in the United States and are under the age of 18, airlines do not require photo identification. It is a good idea to travel with a picture I.D. if possible, but it is not necessary to bring a passport. A school identification card with your photo on it is best, but a library card or credit card with your name on it is also helpful. If you are traveling to Alaska from somewhere outside of the United States, you will need to bring your valid passport.
What is the time difference between Alaska and the lower 48 states?
Nearly all of the U.S. state of Alaska is in the Alaska Time Zone. It is four hours behind the east coast and one hour behind the west coast.
Do I really need to bring a backpack, or can I bring a rolling suitcase on this program?
As a part of the program, you will be setting out on a traditional wilderness backpacking trip. It is essential that you bring a backpack that is sized to your body and comfortably carries your essential items during this component. For this reason, you should bring a properly fitted backpack (either internal or external frame) for this program. You may also bring a small daypack to use for day hikes and shorter day trips.
During the rest of the trip the group will be navigating through airports, getting in and out of the van, and carrying their personal items to and from their campgrounds. It is essential that everyone is able to carry their own personal belongings and we have found the most effective way to do this is to pack in a backpack or duffle.
What is the weather like during our adventure?
The best time to visit Alaska is during the summer months of June and July which consists of warm, dry days and cooler evenings. The weather will vary throughout our journey depending on location and elevation so it will be important to pack according to our extensive packing list, with an emphasis on proper layering. The interior of the state, near Denali, is usually warm and dry with average highs around 70 degrees and the lows around 50 degrees. In the coastal areas like the Kenai Peninsula, the weather is usually wetter and cooler, so you should be prepared with rain gear and warm layers. Because weather patterns are unpredicable, you should be prepared for rain or other inclement weather conditions at all times.
How often can we take showers and do laundry?
There will be opportunities for regular showers during the trip, however you should not expect to take showers every single day. There will be no shower opportunities during the backpacking section due to the remote nature of the backcountry. There will be at least two laundry stops during the trip. For ease of travel, quick dry clothes are recommended on the packing list.
How much spending money should I bring?
We suggest bringing spending money of roughly $75/week, for a total of $175-$225 for the entire trip. Most cash should come home, but you will want some personal money to pay for airline baggage fees at the airport, souvenirs/gifts, laundry, extra snacks, and emergencies (lost items, clinic visit, etc.). Most students opt to bring small amount of cash, as well as personal debit or credit cards.
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19800 Village Office Ct.
Suite 200
Bend, OR 97702
(415) 332-5075
Email ARCC
Contact Us
19800 Village Office Ct.
Suite 200
Bend, Oregon 97702
(415) 332-5075
Email ARCC