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