Denali Youth Camps

Several Youth Camps take place in or near Denali National Park and Preserve. For more information on any of these camps, please call the Education Coordinator at the Murie Science and Learning Center, 907-683-6440.

Denali Discovery Camp
Denali Discovery Camp is a weeklong opportunity to explore Denali National Park and Preserve, usually occuring in June. Local children enjoy activities and destinations that take place in an outdoor setting, while learning about the natural and cultural resources in the park in a fun and safe manner. Through continued partnerships, especially with Denali Education Center, this program has evolved into an important aspect of summer fun for our community’s children.

Denali Backcountry Adventures
Denali Backcountry Adventures is a quality backcountry learning experience in Denali National Park and Preserve, usually occuring in July. Local youth explore Denali as members of a fieldwork team monitoring human impact on the backcountry. During Denali Backcountry Adventures, high school students will spend four days in the backcountry of the park while collecting data that will contribute to its long-term health. This is another youth program offered in partnership with Denali Education Center.

Denali-Susitna Exploration Camp
The Denali Susitna Exploration Camp engages local pre-teens and teens from the Talkeetna area over the course of two weeks (usually in June) to learn more about the local natural and cultural history. In continued partnership with the Upper Susitna Soil and Water Conservation District and Kigluait Educational Adventures, the park education specialist helps students to learn about park science and local cultural history and how it connects to the participants’ roles in the responsible use and stewardship of resources.

Alaska Summer Research Academy
The Alaska Summer Research Academy (ASRA) is a two week academic experience offered by the College of Natural Science and Mathematics in cooperation with the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) and partners organizations. ASRA provides an opportunity for students in grades 8-12 to live on the UAF campus and work with university faculty, staff, and industry professionals. Students choose one module and are immersed in a single subject for two weeks. The approach is hands-on minds-on rather than lecture and worksheets. One college credit is given upon completion. ASRA is typically hosted in Denali in July.