Experience Alaska's raw wilderness and make a meaningful impact through service on this 11-day summer adventure designed for high school students in grades 9–11. You'll explore some of Alaska's most stunning destinations—from the charming port city of Seward to Homer, the halibut capital of the world, and the outdoor recreation paradise of Girdwood—while combining thrilling outdoor activities with hands-on community service work.

Your adventure begins in Anchorage, where you'll stay in a college dorm and experience campus life before heading to Seward for world-class whitewater rafting down Six Mile Creek (up to Class IV rapids) and sea kayaking in Resurrection Bay surrounded by coastal rainforest and wildlife. In Homer, you'll hike to a glacial-fed alpine lake filled with icebergs, explore the historic Homer Spit, and optionally join a halibut fishing charter in one of Alaska's premier fishing destinations. You'll also visit an Iditarod sled dog training camp, where you can meet the dogs and learn from mushers' incredible stories.

The service component is central to this experience. You'll volunteer at Alaska's Wildlife Conservation Center, working alongside expert staff and naturalist interns on husbandry, maintenance, and enrichment projects for 13 species of Alaskan wildlife including bears and moose. You'll also contribute to coastal studies at a field station and help repair trails in an Alaskan State Park, earning up to 15 hours of community service. These aren't passive observation experiences—you'll directly improve the lives of animals and contribute to conservation efforts while gaining insight into wildlife management.

Beyond adventure and service, you'll immerse yourself in Alaskan culture and history. Visit the Anchorage Museum to learn about traditional Inuit ways of life through indigenous crafts, staged dances, and dwelling replicas. You'll enjoy fresh Pacific seafood at local restaurants, stargaze under Alaskan skies (with a chance to see the Northern Lights), and view the magnificent Matanuska Glacier. Throughout the trip, you'll stay in carefully selected, safe accommodations—college dorms in Anchorage, yurts in Seward, and family-run hotels in Homer—all chosen for their location near attractions and ability to facilitate group supervision.

This program is ideal if you love the outdoors, seek meaningful service opportunities, and want to challenge yourself with adventure activities alongside new friends from around the world. All meals (breakfast and dinner) are included and feature authentic local cuisine with accommodations for dietary restrictions. Ground transportation and expert guides are provided throughout, so you can focus on making memories and connections that will last a lifetime in one of America's most remarkable frontiers.