Special Sections

Residential Camps

Peninsula Puffers Asthma Camp

Peninsula Puffers offers a residential camp experience for kids ages 8-14 with asthma. Held at Camp Fire Camp K in Cooper Landing, campers participate in traditional camp activities like boating, archery and crafts in addition to daily asthma education. Campers learn about asthma pathophysiology, asthma tools, medications and self awareness. Campers also work with our medical team to learn about their personal asthma medications and asthma plans.

Age or grade level: Ages 8-14

When: June 12 - June 17

Time: Sunday - Friday

Where: Camp Fire Camp K in Cooper Landing, Alaska

Cost: $195 - Scholarships are available

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Contact: Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, Alaska Chapter, aafaalaska@gci.net or 349-0637

YMCA Camp Peggy Lake

YMCA Camp Peggy Lake is surrounded by 320 acres of rustic wilderness, located about 100 miles north of Anchorage, on the Parks Highway. The camp is a wonderful setting for campers to enjoy water activities, hiking trails, forests, marshlands and the beauty of Alaska's magnificent environment. Campers engage in activities designed to develop the four YMCA Character Values of Caring, Honesty, Responsibility and Respect. It is also our goal to help the campers develop self-esteem, a strong sense of community and an appreciation for our natural environment.

Age or grade level: Entering grades 1-8

When: Week 1, June 6 - June 10; Week 2, June 20 - June 24; Week 3, July 5 - July 8; Week 4, July 18 - July 22; Week 5, Aug. 1 - Aug. 5

Time: Monday 8:30 a.m. - Friday 4:30 p.m.

Where: Peggy Lake, 100 miles north of Anchorage, off Parks Highway

Cost: $275/week

Contact: Kari Kenney, 907-563-3211, kids@ymcaalaska.org

Camp K on Kenai Lake

Camp Fire's resident camp is nestled among the spruce forests along Kenai Lake in Cooper Landing. Camp K provides the perfect environment for youth to explore the natural world around them, engage in a variety of challenging activities and form friendships that can last a lifetime. Days are full of challenging activities, like canoeing, target sports and hiking. Program continues in the evening with dynamic all camp games and community building around the campfire, so youth and teens can thrive, experiencing a sense of belonging, contribution and empowerment. Camp K is an overnight camp, and round-trip transportation is provided from Anchorage.

Age or grade level: Ages 6-17

When: July - August

Time: 4-day to 9-day sessions

Where: Kenai Lake in Cooper Landing

Cost: $245 - $535

Contact: campfireak.org

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Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies

Time: Full Days and Overnights

Contact: info@akcoastalstudies.org or 907-235-6746

Introduction to Wilderness Guiding for Teens

Learn the ins and outs of being a Wilderness Guide! Pre-trip planning and prep in Homer, learn basic Bear & wilderness Safety and then… A flight to Katmai National Park and Preserve where you will set up camp and learn to be a Wilderness Guide!

Age or grade level: Ages 14-18

When: June 11 - 14

Where: Begin in Homer and then travel to Katmai National Park & Preserve

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Cost: $600

Junior Naturalist

Four day camp with two day sessions at the Wynn Nature Center and two overnights at the Peterson Bay Field Station. Explore the diverse habitats and wildlife of the forests and beaches around Kachemak Bay. Activities include animal tracking and wildlife cams, tide pooling, hiking, fun and adventure! Campers sleep in Yurts!

Age or grade level: Ages 9-12

When: June 20 - June 23

Time: Full Days + two Overnights

Where: Wynn Nature Center/Peterson Bay Field Station, Homer, Alaska

Cost: $300

Teen Ecoadventure Camp

Yurt camping, hiking to a glacier, berry picking (eating!) and preserving, salmon set netting and smoking salmon, exploring edible plants, campfire cooking, getting in the kitchen and garden with local chefs and farmers, kayaking, oceanography of Kachemak Bay, a visit to an Oyster Farm, a three-day backpacking adventure around Tutka and Jakolof Bays! Explore the changing environment and how this connects to a most basic and delicious part of our lives - food! Teens can make a difference. Anchorage pick-up included. Age or grade level: Ages 12-15

When: July 18 - July 27

Where: Based at Peterson Bay Field Station on Kachemak Bay, Homer, Alaska

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Cost: $850

Gift Scout Camp: Camp Tagowoods

Where: Knik Goose Bay Rd., Wasilla

Contact: Amanda Block, ablock@girlscoutsalaska.org

Helping Hands Family Work Weekend

Help get the camp season off to a great start by lending a hand in a service project, like planting the garden or staining tent platforms. Saturday is a day to complete work projects, while Sunday is a day to hike, canoe and enjoy camp.

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Age or grade level: Families of all ages

When: May 20 - May 22

Time: Friday 7 p.m. - Sunday 4 p.m.

Cost: Free

Girl Scout Camp

Our Girl Scout Camp program provides a variety of experiences for all campers – new and returning. During the Girl Scout Camp program, girls experience the core of what camp is all about. The Girl Scout Camp program gives girls a classic and timeless summer camp experience.

Age or grade level: Entering grades 1-9

When: June 5 - June 7; June 19 - June 24; June 19 - June 30; June 25 - June 30; July 5 - July 8; July 9 - July 14; July 25 - July 30; July 25 - Aug. 5; July 31 - Aug. 5; Aug. 8 - Aug. 13

Time: 3-day, 4-day, 6-day or 12-day programs

Cost: $185 - $600, scholarships available

Lead On

Camp develops courageous and confident leaders. Girls of all ages practice decision making, communication with others and work on conflict-resolution skills. Our older girls also participate in leadership discovery activities. Throughout a week of hands-on activities, girls will put leadership skills to work. Of course, girls will get to experience everything at camp from hiking to s'mores around the campfire.

Age or grade level: Entering grades 9-12

When: June 19 - June 24, 6 days

Cost: $375, scholarships available

Johnson Pass Trek

Improve your backpacking and wilderness camping skills on a 4-day 4-night backpack trip in Johnson Pass on the Kenai Peninsula.

Age or grade level: Entering grades 7-9

When: June 19 - June 30; 12 days

Cost: $675, scholarships available

Wet and Wild

When your camper participates in one of our water programs, she builds paddling skills during daily program blocks at the waterfront. Campers explore our lake and practice their paddling with our Small Craft Safety-certified staff. Togowoods offers canoeing, kayaking and recreational row boating.

Age or grade level: Entering grades 4-5

When: June 25 - June 30; July 9 - July 14; Aug. 8 - Aug. 13

Cost: $375, scholarships available

Trekkers

Enjoy an overnight backpack trip in Hatcher Pass as you practice your camping skills.

Age or grade level: Entering grades 6-8

When: June 25 - June 30, 6 days

Cost: $425

Hatcher's Pass

Practice your backpacking and camp skills on a 3-day trip in Hatcher Pass.

Age or grade level: Entering grades 6-8

When: June 25 - June 30, 6 days

Cost: $425, scholarships available

Paddlers Paradise

When your camper participates in one of our water programs, she builds paddling skills during daily program blocks at the waterfront. Campers explore our lake and practice their paddling with our Small Craft Safety-certified staff. Togowoods offers canoeing, kayaking and recreational row boating. Paddler's Paradise campers test their kayaking skills on a half-day kayak trip on Cottonwood Lake and Mud Lake.

Age or grade level: Entering grades 6-7

When: June 25 - June 30; July 9 - July 14; July 31 - Aug. 5

Cost: $425, scholarships available

Voyagers

Practice and gain confidence in your paddling and camping skills with an overnight canoe adventure on Finger Lake.

Age or grade level: Entering grades 6-8

When: July 9 - July 14, 6 days

Cost: $425

Lead On Take Action

Girls who attend Lead On at Camp Togowoods and want to further develop their leadership skills have the option of returning to Togowoods for hands on experience working with younger campers.

Age or grade level: Entering grades 9-12

When: July 9 - July 14; Aug. 8 - Aug. 13

Cost: Free

Nancy Lakes

Improve your canoeing and learn how to portage a canoe with a 3-day paddle in the Nancy Lake System.

Age or grade level: Entering grades 6-8

When: July 25 - July 30

Cost: $425, scholarships available

Swan Lakes Canoe Trek

Challenge yourself on a 5-day paddle through the Swan Lakes System on the Kenai Peninsula, and a half-day kayak in Resurrection Bay with Sunny Cove Outfitters.

Age or grade level: Entering grades 9-12

When: July 25 - Aug. 5, 12 days

Cost: $675, scholarships available

River Runners

When your camper participates in one of our water programs, she builds paddling skills during daily program blocks at the waterfront. Campers explore our lake and practice their paddling with our Small Craft Safety-certified staff. Togowoods offers canoeing, kayaking, and recreational row boating. River Runners campers experience the ultimate challenge - and thrill - on a half-day river raft trip on Matanuska River with NOVA River Runners.

Age or grade level: Entering grades 8-9

When: July 25 - July 30

Cost: $425

Sojourners

Learn basic camping skills - cooking, orienteering, minimal-impact camping - and practice them on a rustic overnight on site at Togowoods.

Age or grade level: Entering grades 4-5

When: Aug. 8 - Aug. 13

Cost: $375

This content was originally published as part of the 2016 Summer Camps Guide. Individual listings submitted by each camp.

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