July 8-12th, 2024

Overnight

9th–12th Grade

Program Overview

Denali Backcountry Adventures (DBA) is an introductory backpacking experience for high school students and student groups through Alaskan partner organizations. This is a great opportunity to foster interest in the natural world by exploring Denali’s wilderness.  DBA is open to students entering high school (9th-12th grades) in the fall. No prior experience is necessary – if you or a group of students you work with are adventurous, have a positive attitude, and are interested in improving your wilderness, teamwork, and leadership skills, this expedition could be the highlight of your summer!

DBA registration cost is $425/camper!

Instructors

Throughout this program, DEC and NPS staff work together to create a supportive team with a shared vision to provide students with a fun, informative adventure in Denali National Park and Preserve. We pride ourselves on creating an engaging learning atmosphere in an outdoor setting and strive for a student-to-instructor ratio of four to one.

Backpacking in Denali National Park and Preserve

Denali National Park and Preserve provide a stunning classroom for studying undisturbed taiga and tundra and experiencing firsthand an untrammeled wilderness. Denali has unique backcountry management procedures and few established routes or backcountry campsites. Traveling in this environment requires we design our own adventure by choosing the route.  Along with this opportunity comes the responsibility to protect the wilderness resource for future users by adhering to Leave No Trace principles.

DBA Students Celebrate Wilderness!

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act in 2014, we asked Denali Backcountry Adventures students what wilderness means to them. Watch the video to learn what future stewards had to say.