Youth Programs
Fresh Air Fridays
Back by popular demand! This year, Fresh Air Fridays is being offered as a month-long day program series and will rotate around KMTA communities. The program is a combination of afterschool, half day, and full days sessions based on the KPBSD calendar.
Pathfinders
Many of our region’s historic corridors are preserved and enjoyed today as multi-use trails. Pathfinders empowers kids to build skills, have adventures, and create lasting connections to the KMTA via these trails across time.
Coastal Connections
Piloted in 2023, expanding in 2024! During an exciting week-long day-based program, participants explore their local coastal ecosystem through a variety of adventure outings, science and art activities, and personal connections.
Scroll down for the 2024 program schedule and descriptions!
Pathfinders
Travel through and across the KMTA NHA’s mountainous terrain has always required creativity, fortitude, and skill. Today, many of these historic transportation corridors are preserved and enjoyed as multi-use trails that provide access to the region’s incredible natural beauty and resources. Our Pathfinders programs empower kids from across Southcentral Alaska to build skills, have adventures, and create lasting connections to the heritage area via these “trails across time.”
Pathfinders is a new program for Summer 2024! This two-day camp (Tuesdays & Wednesdays) is open to KMTA community residents ages 6-12. We have partnered with the Chugach National Forest, Kenai Fjords National Park, and other community organizations to create unique themes for each week and connect kids to some of the incredible stewards, stories, and projects of the KMTA region.
Pathfinders programs are open to all KMTA communities. Each week of camp will have 1-2 “meeting points” where we will offer pick up & drop off to participating kids. Our “basecamp” will be where we will meet our partner staff and begin and end the day’s adventure- these could be visitor centers, trailheads, or other recreation areas/facilities.
2024 Program Schedule:
Salmon & Stewardship
– Basecamp: Russian River Campground
– Meeting Points: Tern Lake, Wildman’s
June 4-5, 2024
June 18-19, 2024
Exploring Portage & Whittier
– Basecamp: Begich, Boggs Visitor Center
– Meeting points: Tern Lake, Hope Y
July 16-17, 2024
July 30-31, 2024
Exploring Exit Glacier
– Basecamp: Exit Glacier Nature Center
– Meeting points: Tern Lake, Moose Pass Library
August 6-7, 2024
Coastal Connections
During an exciting week-long day-based program, Seward kids explore their local coastal ecosystem through a variety of adventure outings, science and art activities, and personal connections. Participants will have the opportunities to safely explore and play outside along with some focused time to connect to the places we visit through art and hands-on science activities. Students explore the coast on foot, kayak the bay, and paddleboard to experience the land and waters of Seward while working on team building, leadership, and strategies for personal balance and resilience. This program is made possible through partnership with the Ocean Alaska Science and Learning Center and Alaska SeaGrant.
Coastal Connections is a 5-day summer camp program. Program fees include snacks, activities, instruction, and transportation.
Participating kids need to bring rain gear, extra layers, rain boots, hiking shoes, lunch, a water bottle, and a backpack.
2024 Program Schedule:
Coastal Rivers & Forests: June 10 – 14
Coastal ReConnections: June 24 – 28 *For 2023 participants! *
Oceans & Intertidal Zones: July 8 – 12, 2024
Coastal Heritage & Culture: July 22 – 26
Registration coming soon!
Fresh Air Fridays
Fresh Air Fridays (FAF) is all about fresh air and FUN! This program is offered across the KMTA region to local families with kids in kindergarten to fifth grade. FAF offers adventure, art, science, outdoor skill-building, and other activities with a goal to build community, foster pride of place, empower kids through skill-building, and support families with safe and supervised fun for their kids.
A big THANK YOU to all participating families. Fresh Air Fridays will be back in September…stay tuned for registration information later this summer!