Empowering The Next Generation of Alaskan Stewards Trailside Discovery Camp
a program of the alaska center education fund
Trailside Discovery Camp is a program of The Alaska Center Education Fund (AKCEF), a nonprofit driven by the vision of a thriving, just, and sustainable Alaska for future generations. We believe Alaska’s future depends on healthy natural resources and empowered communities working together to protect and steward them. Our mission is to educate and engage Alaskans of all ages to safeguard clean air and water, build resilient communities, and become empowered stewards.
At trailside discovery camp
What we do
Trailside Discovery Camp is dedicated to fostering a love for nature and sense of responsibility in each camper. Through hands-on, outdoor activities, we teach campers about the importance of sustainability, conservation, and the interdependence of all living things.
Trailside’s team consists of diverse, passionate staff who come from across the country and around the world. Every team member, ages 16 and up, is enthusiastic about environmental education and outdoor recreation, with over 40 hours of training to ensure an exceptional camp experience. Our team
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that TDC operates on the traditional lands of the Dena’ina, Ahtna, and Sugpiaq Peoples, who have been the stewards of these lands for thousands of years and continue to care for them today. With deep respect, we honor their enduring connection to this place and recognize all Indigenous peoples who live in and contribute to our community.
A letter from our Director
Dear Trailside Families,
Welcome to another season of exploration and growth at Trailside Discovery Camp! As a mother, I know firsthand the transformative impact camp can have on young lives. Watching my own children thrive in nature and gain a love for the outdoors fuels my commitment to creating safe, enriching outdoor experiences for all kids. Together with our team, I’m excited to continue fostering a space where campers feel welcomed, connected, and inspired to explore Alaska’s wild beauty.
At Trailside, we believe that hands-on experiences with nature are the best way to nurture future stewards of our land. Guided by The Alaska Center Education Fund’s mission to build a thriving, just, and sustainable Alaska, we work to instill respect for our environment and each other. Through outdoor adventures and environmental education, we hope to spark lifelong stewardship values, helping each camper connect to Alaska’s unique ecosystems and gain an understanding of conservation and community care.
Safety, well-being, and a strong sense of community remain at the heart of our camp. Our team is dedicated to creating an environment where children feel empowered to explore, form meaningful friendships, and discover the joy of shared adventure. We understand the trust parents place in us to care for their children, and we take that responsibility to heart.
I look forward to meeting each of your campers and making this a summer of discovery, growth, and unforgettable memories. Here’s to a season full of outdoor learning, creativity, and fun.
See you on the trail,
Cindy Tapia Ruiz Trailside Discovery Camp Director
The Alaska Center Education Fund
About our Programs
Programs run Monday-Friday, with drop-off starting at 7:30 am and pick-up ending at 5:30 pm. The main session takes place from 9:30 am-3:30 pm, though drop-off is available until 10:00 am. Field trips depart promptly at 10:00 am.
Note about Age Groups: Some sessions have overlap for age groups. Please choose the group that best fits your child’s needs (i.e. ages 6-8, 8-10).
Please note that field trip availability varies by age. Some of our programs include exciting off-site excursions (ages 8+), while others focus on on-campus activities and experiences (ages 5-8).
Environmental Education Programs
Explore the wonders of the outdoors through hands-on and sensory activities! Each program is thoughtfully designed to support learning tailored to each age group. These programs nurture a love for nature while helping children strengthen social skills.
Cost: $395 per week for 5-8 groups and $425 for 8+ groups (due to the inclusion of field trips), with prorated rates for 3- and 4-day weeks.
High Adventure Programs
Learn, Practice, Explore! Our High Adventure Programs take outdoor skills to the next level, focusing on outdoor survival, recreation, and exploration. Campers will engage in topics of science, conservation, history, art, and engineering, while discovering Anchorage’s lakes and trails through activities like biking, boating, and archery. High Adventure activities typically occur three days per week, with additional days dedicated to building outdoor knowledge and skills. These programs cost $450 per week, with prorated rates for 3- and 4- day weeks.
Registration for summer 2025 goes live on Monday, January 6th at 5:30 pm!
Ages 5-6 Environmental Education Programs
Under the Sea
Identify and decorate seashells from the Pacific Ocean
Paint fish that live deep under the sea
Learn how fish breathe underwater
Super Seedlings
Plant your own flower seeds
Learn about the parts of plants
Use leaves to make green paint
Puddle Jumpers
Become a detective to figure out how puddles are formed, then go jumping in some puddles!
Make different types of clouds in an art project
Learn how things float and make clay boats
Little Saplings
Take a nature walk and create journey sticks to remember your adventure
Learn what different trees smell and feel like
Learn how plants drink water
The Great Galaxy
Complete Astronaut training to get ready to go into space
Build & decorate your own spaceship
Design a planet walk with chalk and learn about our solar system
Buzzy Bees
Play “Pollination Tag" to understand the role of bees in our environment
Learn about where bees live and paint your own beehive
Go on a pollinator scavenger hunt
Knock, Knock, Hooo’s There?
Create an owl puppet
Learn what it means to be nocturnal
Listen to bird calls and practice your own
Fossil Finders
Make a dinosaur mask and walk like a dinosaur
Become a paleontologist and dig for fossils
Learn about the earth’s layers
Salmon Snoopers
Learn about Alaska's five types of salmon
Practice going through a salmon’s life cycle in a game
Create your own salmon hat
Berry Bonanza
Make your own field guide of Alaska’s berries
Dissect a berry to learn about the parts of a berry
Make a berry basket
Forest Friends
Read about environmental superheros and make a superhero puppet
Make a treasure chest and find treasures in the woods
Play Habitat Bingo to discover what is in the forest
Bear Cubs
Learn the difference between a brown bear and a black bear
Build a den and explore how bears keep warm in the winter
Create your own bear mask
*These programs offer immersive on-campus experiences (no field trips)
Ages 6-8 Environmental Education Programs
Creatures of the Deep
Make friends with Alvin, a deep-sea scientific robot, and create your own submarine
Learn how fish breathe underwater
Make your own paper anglerfish
Space Racers
Build your own rocket to blast into space
Participate in astronaut training
Design and create your own planet
Wacky Weather
Take daily weather observations to create a field guide
Make a tornado in a bottle
Learn about how thunderstorms are formed and paint a thunderstorm
Roots & Shoots
Learn about the different parts of plants and trees
Use nature to create a paintbrush
Learn about forest fires and how they affect trees and plants
Dancing in the Daylight
Learn about the sun and how it cast it shadows
Use the sun to make an art print
Celebrate the summer solstice using song and dance
Creative Crawlers
Go on a bug hunt and discover what lives under logs
Make magic slime and learn about the importance that slimy slugs have in our ecosystem
Create your own super bug while learning about how bugs adapt to their environment
Ducking Detectives
Practice migration and discover how far birds travel to get to Alaska every summer
Learn about where birds nest, and build a nest in the woods
Become a bird by building your own bird wings
Moose Mania
Create your own moose and moose antler headband
Learn the difference between predators and prey during an interactive game
Fill in a map of Alaska with the different ecoregions
Jewels & Gems
Learn about and create a picture of your birthstone
Mine for chocolate chips out of a center of a cookie
Go on a scavenger hunt to search for different types of rocks
Jammin’ with Salmon
Make your own salmon picture book to read to friends
Dance and sing to “The Salmon Song” to learn about salmon’s life cycle
Learn about the five types of salmon and paint one
Farm to Feast
Learn how chicks hatch and create your own chick in an egg
Make your own butter
Put your cooking skills to the test with a TDC
Junior Chef cook off
Fire & Ice
Learn how glaciers stay frozen and how we can save our glaciers
Create a firefighting art project
Make and eat ice cream
*These programs offer immersive on-campus experiences (no field trips)
Ages 8-10 Environmental Education Programs
Marine Magic
Create origami sea creatures
Learn about different types of sharks
Discover and test marine animal adaptations
Tectonic Titans
Learn how to identify different types of rocks
Simulate tectonic plate movements with graham crackers and frosting
Create your own volcanos using paper mache and watch it explode
Walking on Sunshine
Create a sheet of bioplastics using agar-agar
Grow algae in a jar and see how sunlight affects growth
Experiment with different textures to make landscape art
Birds & Beaks
Sleuth around with magnifying glass for clues about bird habitats
Explore how birds use their beaks when finding different foods
Measure your wingspan and make your own wings
Arctic Zookeepers
Take a field trip to Alaska's Wildlife Conservation Center to learn about Alaska's wildlife
Learn about animal adaptations and engineer a super animal
Design and build habitats using materials from nature
TDC Junior Chef
Learn the basics of outdoor cooking and Leave No Trace principles
Forage for berries to make jam
Go head to head in a chopped-style kitchen competition
Environmental Explorers
Learn and practice the fundamentals of orienteering
Complete a photography scavenger hunt
Go on a bug hunt to identify local critters
Friendly Foragers
Learn how to forage safely and identify wild plants
Gather edible foods on a hike and incorporate them into a trail meal
Make either spruce tip syrup or tree tea
(depending on what is ready for harvest)
Ages 8-10 High Adventure Programs
Icicles & Bicycles
Practice and learn bike safety
Experiment with what makes ice melt faster or slower
Find the icebox geocache
Backcountry Bikers
Practice and learn bike maintenance
Learn about erosion and how it affect single track trails
Learn how to recycle bike tires by using art
Fire Away
Learn about wildfires and how they affect the environment
Learn and practice archery skills and safety at a local archery range. (3 days with at least 2 hours of archery guaranteed)
Give it your best shot in an archery competition
Wetland Wonders
Practice your kayaking and canoeing skills (3 days of boating guaranteed)
Model the importance of wetlands in a hands on experiment
Go on a scavenger hunt to identify the plants found in a lake or pond
Tidal Explorers
Practice different paddling strokes (3 days of boating guaranteed)
Learn how to identify different types of seashells
Make a diorama of the layers in the ocean
Aquatic Anglers
Explore different types of lake trout
Review and discuss fishing regulations
Understand the basics of gear
maintenance and how to string a fishing pole
Alaskan Adventurers
Practice and learn bike safety (2 days of biking guaranteed)
Explore the mountains on a hiking field trip
Create a nature collage
Happy Hikers
Create a 3D model of the Alaska Range with paper mache
Learn the first aid skills necessary to survive in the backcountry
Hike out and enjoy a picnic with a view on a field trip
Wilderness Explorers (EE/HA)
Practice mountain biking safely on single track trails (2 days of biking guaranteed)
Learn the basics of Orienteering
Build a wilderness shelter
*All of these groups will have at least 1 off-site field trip per week.
Ages 10+ Environmental Education Programs
Energy Einsteins
Learn where energy comes from and how we use it in everyday life
Experiment with energy and build a marble roller coaster
Learn about electricity and help build a robot
Picture Perfect
Explore the beauty of Alaska through different types of photography
Learn the seven principles of art and design
Create an art exhibit to show off your photos
Teacher Naturalists in Training (12+)
Discuss the work naturalists do and gain skills to become one
Take part in hands-on activities to understand the natural world
Teach lessons and activities to younger campers
AK Survival
Learn how to safely forage and cook wild foods
Learn a few wilderness first aid survival skills
Practice your teamwork skills while building a shelter
TDC Master Chef
Pick berries & learn about edible Alaskan plants
Go head-to-head in a Chopped-style cooking competition
Make a group cookbook
Youth Leaders in Action (12+)
Get hands on to learn about the carbon cycle
Participate in an environmental stewardship project
Learn about renewable energy and how to help protect the climate
We strongly believe that All Kids should experience camp. Apply to our scholarships at trailsidediscovery.org.
Pricing: 5-6, 6-7, & 6-8 Groups: $395
8+ Groups (not High Adventure): $425
8+ High Adventure Groups: $450
*High Adventure Groups are denoted with emojis
*All pricing is prorated for short weeks
Berry Bonanza
Arctic
Ages 10+ High Adventure Programs
Boreal Bikers
Discuss what a boreal forest is and why it's important
Review bike safety and learn basic bike maintenance skills
Go biking on local trails
Trail Riders X-Treme
Increase your knowledge and biking skills on single-track trails
Discover how single tracks are built and maintained
Talk about bike repairs and how to be more prepared on the trail
Bull’s Eye
Discuss and learn the basics to archery (3 days with at least 2 hours of archery guaranteed)
Play target games to increase accuracy
Create a model of a bow using popsicle sticks
Oceans Alive
Gain skills in paddling and boating (3 days of boating guaranteed)
Learn about bycatch during a commercial fishing game
Design a microscopic sea critter for a plankton race
Fishing Frenzy
Hook, bait and cast a line in a local lake
Visit a fish hatchery to understand fish stocked lakes
Work together to compete in a game of boating basketball
Lead the Way
Participate in team building activities while on a hike
Learn how to become a good leader
Teach your own lesson about nature, science, or the outdoors
Tours of the Great Outdoors
Take action in learning new photography techniques
Be creative and create your own photo blog post
Participate in a photo finish challenge
Paddling through the Past
Discuss the history behind whaling and the people who rely on it
Design and create your own canoe
Practice paddling strokes and play kayak games
*All of these groups will have at least 1 off-site field trip per week.
Alaska Quest Trips: Russian Jack
Our Alaska Quest Trips are crafted for campers eager to develop their backcountry camping skills and challenge themselves in a safe and fun environment. Following a week of day camp filled with team building, gear preparation, and skill practice, campers will set off with our skilled staff for an unforgettable adventure in Alaska’s wilderness!
These trips are based at our Russian Jack location, where all programs will begin and depart. These trips take extensive amounts of gear and preparation, and the prices reflect this. Trailside wants to ensure every interested child has access to participating in Quest Trips. Please ask about our scholarships if cost is a barrier.
Alaska Quest I: Ages 8-9
cost for these programs: $625
Manitoba Cabin
This week-long program introduces campers to essential camping skills, teamwork, and outdoor exploration! From Monday to Wednesday, campers will work together on a day camp schedule to prepare for their overnight adventure, learning skills such as outdoor cooking, camp setup, fire-building, and outdoor safety.
On Thursday morning, campers will embark on an overnight trip to the Manitoba Cabins, where they’ll hike and explore the scenic trails and put their new skills into action, all while creating memories to last a lifetime. The group will return Friday afternoon to unpack.
Difficulty: Beginner — No prior experience is required. Campers will learn all necessary skills but must be comfortable spending a night away from home without their caretakers.
Intro to Camping: - Eklutna
This week-long program introduces campers to foundational camping skills, teamwork, and outdoor exploration! From Monday to Wednesday, campers will follow a day camp schedule, learning essential skills like outdoor cooking, camp setup, fire-building, and outdoor safety.
On Thursday morning, the group will head to Eklutna Campground for an overnight adventure. Campers will spend the evening exploring the campground, practicing their new skills, building friendship, and gaining confidence in the outdoors. The trip returns Friday afternoon for unpacking and wrap-up.
Difficulty: Beginner — No prior camping experience required. Campers will learn all necessary skills but must be comfortable spending a night away from home without their caretakers. Campers must also be prepared for light hiking, including learning to hike with crampons on the glacier!
Intro to Camping: Portage
This week-long program focuses on essential camping skills, leadership, and bike-based exploration! From Monday to Wednesday, campers will follow a day camp schedule, learning outdoor skills like cooking, camp setup, fire-building, and safety in the wilderness.
On Thursday morning, campers will set off for an overnight adventure at Portage Campground. Campers are encouraged to bring their bikes (or borrow one from TDC) for a short, beginner-friendly trail ride to the Portage Visitor Center, where they’ll learn about glaciers! The group will return Friday afternoon to unpack and reflect on their adventure.
Difficulty: Beginner — No previous camping experience is required. Campers will learn all necessary skills but must be comfortable spending a night away from home without their caretakers. Biking will be on paved trails and suitable for beginners.
Alaska Quest II: Ages 10-11
cost for these programs: $1,400
Hidden Lake Kayaking
This two-week program offers campers the chance to learn about and explore one of Alaska’s most famous lake systems! The first week is based in Anchorage, where campers will delve into lake ecology and Alaskan ecosystems. They’ll participate in creating meal plans, learning boating skills, practice camp cooking skills, packing group gear, and preparing for their backcountry adventure.
In the second week, campers will embark on a four-day, three-night backcountry camping trip at Hidden Lake. They’ll start with a night of frontcountry camping to get ready for the kayak journey, then paddle from Hidden Lake to Explorer Island, where they’ll set up camp for two nights. Days will be spent kayaking, exploring the lake, and visiting nearby islands. The group will return on Friday to unpack and wrap up their journey.
Difficulty: Intermediate — No prior backcountry experience is required; however, campers should have the maturity and independence to spend three nights away from home. Previous boating experience is not necessary, but campers must be comfortable paddling a kayak for several hours, with skill-building sessions included in the first week.
Tonsina Point Backpacking
This two-week program is an ideal introduction to backpacking for campers ready to develop new skills and independence! The first week takes place in Anchorage, where campers will focus on camp skills like cooking, gear preparation, meal planning, and backpacking essentials.
In the second week, campers will set out on a four-day, three-night adventure to Seward, Alaska. The trip begins with a night at Miller’s Landing Campground, where campers will explore ocean life and tidal zones. From there, they’ll backpack two miles to Tonsina Point for two nights filled with camping, hiking, exploring, and hands-on learning.
Difficulty: Intermediate — Campers should have the maturity and independence to spend three nights away from home. No technical skills are required, as campers will learn everything they need to enjoy a successful backpacking experience.
Alaska Quest III: Ages 12-14
cost for these programs: $1,500
nancy lake canoeing: lynx lake loop
This two-week program teaches the fundamentals of canoe travel and navigation, offering campers an immersive experience on Alaska’s waterways. The first week takes place in Anchorage, where campers will learn gear preparation, meal planning, and essential canoe and portage skills.
In the second week, campers will embark on a 5-day, 4-night canoeing journey across the scenic Lynx Lake Loop at Nancy Lakes. The group will paddle, explore, and make camp along the way, returning on Friday afternoon to unpack and reflect on their adventure.
Difficulty: Advanced – Some prior camping and canoeing experience is required. While campers will practice paddling techniques, they must be comfortable paddling multiple miles as well as portaging up to three quarters of a mile helping carry gear & canoes.
Johnson Pass Backpacking
Join us for this two-week program focused on hiking, backpacking, and leadership skills. During the first week in Anchorage, campers will develop essential hiking techniques, create a group meal plan, and prepare and pack together for their adventure.
The second week takes campers on a five-day, four-night backpacking journey through Johnson Pass in the stunning Kenai Mountains. The group will trek the 23-mile pass, exploring lakes and valleys along the way, before returning to Anchorage on Friday afternoon to unpack.
Difficulty: Advanced – Some prior camping and backpacking experience is required. While campers will practice hiking with packs during the first week, they should be prepared to hike 5-6 miles per day with a loaded backpack.
youth Leaders in Action
Week 6: June 30 - July 3
Campers and AYEA Teens are invited to participate in Trailside Discovery Camp’s Youth Leaders in Action program to bond with peers and get our youth excited about the connection between AYEA’s and Trailside’s mission! Current AYEA teens are encouraged to sign up to learn about opportunities available through Trailside, including summer employment as an Assistant Instructor for our environmental education or high adventure program. Participants will reflect on their roles as environmental stewards, learn about environmental topics affecting Alaska, bond with peers, and design an action project to carry out over the week.
Campers can expect to meet members and mentors from AYEA and learn about their week long fall summit where AYEA teens from all over the state come together to create and implement a statewide campaign of their choosing. AYEA teens can expect to apply their leadership and organizing skills as well as be exposed to opportunities for engagement and resume building through Trailside.
Volunteer at Trailside Discovery Camp
The ideal volunteer candidates are 14-15 year olds with a love of the outdoors. This program is geared towards building teaching skills and environmental science knowledge for youth interested in working as Instructors at Trailside once they are 16 years old. Teens who have completed the Teacher Naturalist in Training program in previous years are encouraged to apply. Those who have participated in the joint TDC and AYEA programs Climate Leaders in Action or Sustainability Stewards are also encouraged to apply.
Volunteering at Trailside strengthens leadership skills and interpersonal relationships within our community. This is a great opportunity for teens needing service hours and wanting to get involved at Trailside. Adults who would like to volunteer are also welcome to apply. However, we do not allow parents to volunteer for any session their child attends. The application process is necessary to ensure that volunteers are capable of caring for the social-emotional wellbeing of campers and share our philosophy of experiential learning. We will require a background check for volunteers, as American Camp Association standards require. Trailside will cover the background check fee and will provide environmental education training.
Work with Trailside!
We're seeking passionate, creative, and hardworking individuals to join our team! If you love environmental education and outdoor recreation, this is the place for you. Our programs range from science projects and crafts to kayaking an d mountain biking, and we're looking for team members who bring enthusiasm and dedication to each day at camp. Applicants must be 16 years old.
Whether you're helping kids explore science, build crafts, kayak, or mountain bike, you'll find meaningful work and lasting memories with us. Discover a role that fits your interests and skills while making an impact in the lives of young Alaskans.
Apply for Summer 2025 positions today! Applications are available at: trailsidediscovery.org
