Denali Discovery Camp

 

Are you looking for an affordable, local, homegrown, Alaskan summer camp experience for your 1st-8th grader? If so, join us for Denali Discovery Camp! 

Program Overview

Since 2000, Denali Discovery Camp has been connecting young people and the wonders of Denali National Park and Preserve through exploration, teamwork, and fun. 

Have your child join us at the Denali Education Center as a Nature Scout (1st-2nd grade), Denali Detective (3rd-4th grade), Ecosystem Explorer (5th-6th grade), or Wilderness Researcher (7th-8th grade), and let the learning begin!

Because using the wilderness as a classroom is a privilege, Denali Discovery Camp teaches and adheres to the principles of Leave No Trace and strives to maintain a low-impact camp experience for current and future campers.

Mission

To provide local children with quality learning experiences through hands-on adventures and fun in Denali National Park and Preserve.

Goals

• Provide an opportunity for children to experience the outdoors in a fun and safe manner.
• Develop a sense of inquiry and curiosity about the natural world.
• Cultivate skills of observation, awareness, and reflection about our environment.
• Promote understanding of the subarctic ecosystem.
• Convey the significance of Denali National Park and Preserve as a protected ecosystem.
• Foster stewardship of wilderness and wild places.

Registration

We will update this page as we continue to confirm the details and updates to our 2022 Discovery Camps. You may also email Justine at youth@denali.org or call us at 907-683-2597 with any questions.

Scholarships to fully or partially cover the cost of tuition are available; applications are due within two weeks of registration- along with your other camp paperwork. Please do not submit scholarship applications until your child has been accepted into camp this year.

All paperwork is due two weeks after confirmation of program enrollment. Paperwork includes Medical History Form, Authorization Form, and Code of Conduct. Paperwork can be emailed to youth@denali.org or mailed to Denali Education Center. Failure to submit paperwork by this deadline will result in the forfeiture of your camp spot.

Cancellation and Refund policy is as follows:

5 weeks before camp- Full refund
4 weeks before camp- 75% refund
3 weeks before camp- 50% refund
2 weeks before camp- No refund

Tuition for each camp group:

Please click on the camp name or more detailed information about each group.

Nature Scouts…students entering 1st & 2nd grades, $250
Denali Detectives…students entering 3rd & 4th grades, $275
Ecosystem Explorers…students entering 5th & 6th grades, $300
Wilderness Researchers…students entering 7th & 8th grades, $325

Instructors

In the words of one parent, our instructors are “top notch!” Instructors are hired primarily from our local Denali community, so you know they know their stuff. We strive to maintain for a ratio of no more than four students per instructor. They are hand-picked because of their experience, knowledge, and dedication to quality education. They are classroom teachers, science teachers, English teachers, music teachers, STEM teachers, environmental educators, scientists, authors, former Park Rangers, current Park Rangers, and more! All instructors have previous experience working with youth, wilderness safety and first aid training, and a joy for what they do.

General Information

Denali Discovery Camp runs for 5 days, Monday through Friday. Each day, you will drop your child off either at the Denali Education Center or Murie Science and Learning Center at 9:00 am ready for a full day of adventure. During the day, they will hike, explore, and learn all about Denali. Campers are picked up by parents at 4:00 pm at the Murie Science and Learning Center.

Please Note: A detailed and updated itinerary, including trails, pickup, and drop-off locations, will be provided to all parents and guardians on Day 1 of Camp at orientation.