What we’ll do:

Join us for an authentically Alaskan outdoor after school program designed for Alaska kids. We pick up from Aquarian, Inlet View, and Chugach Optional.

After school times are spent playing in our local Chanshtnu (Westchester) Lagoon. This is our amazing outdoor classroom, where we have an abundance of wildlife and natural spaces to learn about outdoor studies, seasonal sports, and wilderness safety skills through place-based, experiential learning and play! 

In between playing, we may choose from any of the following options, or similar, depending on the weather, our group, and the season: 

• practice whittling skills;
• art; 
• games;
• practice and learn about paddling safety and learn paddling skills on our SUPs (stand up paddleboards); 
• play running and sports games;
• go for walks along the coastal trail;
• learn about the abundant wildlife and seasonal environmental science topics in this rich ecosystem; 
• ice skating and pond hockey;
• winter wilderness surivival skills; 
• avalanche/backcountry terrain education; 
• nordiic skiing;
• enjoying the opportunities to play and learn that each day and season brings us!

Pick-Up Times: 

• Chugach Optional: 2:50 pm
  • Chugach Optional 1/2 day Fridays: 11:15 am
• Aquarian: 3:15 pm
• Inlet View: 3:30 pm

Where we’ll go:

• We pick up from one of three schools: Aquarian, Inlet View, or Chugach Optional, and drive to Westchester (Chanshtnu) Lagoon – Anchorage’s gem of an outdoor space.
  • Margaret Eagan Sullivan Park 1824 W 15th Ave Anchorage, AK 99501
• While our program is nearly 100% outdoors, on very cold days we will utilize an indoor space at our office/workshop in the south addition for the afternoon program, either coming in briefly to warm-up, or staying in for the afternoon, depending on the temperature and wind-chill.
  • 1343 G St., ste. 105, Anchorage, AK 99501

What to Pack

• Dress for the weather, pack extra snacks. 
• We will communicate any outdoor gear needed for the day, in advance (like ice skates, etc).

Communication: 

We use “remind” to communicate directly and easily messages to parents/caregivers. We will also send out messages via the registration app we use, “Hi Sawyer”, to communicate any news. 

• Sign up for remind: text @westanchak to the number 81010

Dates of Operation: 

We are a registered program provider through Tiamuna! 

If you are eligible for Tiamuna Funding, please contact Tiamuna program coordinator or email us at hello@intothewoodsalaska.com for information on how to sign up!

Tiamuna Program – Click for information on how to sign up!

Payment: 

Monthly billing (auto-prorates): 

How to book:

1. Option 1: Regular Programming

   1. If you need regular after-school care each week, select the day(s) of the week per month you would like to book. You can book 1, 2, 3, 4, or all 5 days of the week.

   2. Payment is Pro-rated according to how far into each month it is when you make your booking.

   3. This option signs up your kiddo for the days of the week you chose until the end of the school year.
   4. Payment occurs on a monthly basis, charging on the 1st of every month.
   5. Cancellation: if you need to cancel the following months’ registration, you must do so at least 3 weeks before the next month starts to receive a refund. *See Cancellation Policy below.
2. Option 2: Drop-In Days
   1. If you only need random days here and there, the drop-in day option lets you chose specific days you need. 
3. Chugach Optional 1/2 days:
   1. The same instructions above apply to the CO 1/2 day programs, which occur 2 fridays per month of the school year. 

Cancellation Policy – After School Program: 

For all programs and memberships on a monthly billing cycle: We require at least 3 weeks written notice before the start of the following month to cancel future installments in the monthly billing contract. Email us at hello@intothewoodsalaska.com, or use the “contact us” link above to initiate cancellation of enrollment. 

1. Cancellation Policy:
   1. 75% refunds will be provided 21 or more days prior to the next month/start of next billing cycle;
   2. 50% refunds will be provided 15-20 days prior to the next month/start of next billing cycle.
   3. No refunds or cancellations will be provided within 0-14 days of the next month/start of next billing cycle.
   4. If a student/participant is expelled due to behavioral issues:
      1. There will be no refund for their current month of enrollment; 
      2. Registration for future months will be cancelled and any payment plans cancelled, or any payments made refunded. The participant is responsible for any costs incurred from or associated with their expulsion.
2. Transfers:
   1. For participants on a monthly billing cycle, we can transfer youth to other days of the week as long as there is space available on the roster to do so.
   2. For participants on drop-in days, we need at least 15 days notice prior to the registered drop-in date to complete transfers; a transfer request 14 days or less before the registered date will be considered a cancellation and those cancellations policies will apply.