Let's get outside!

Iñuuruŋa savaktuŋalu Dena’ina-t nunaŋanni Kisaġvigmun. “I live and work on the land of the Dena’ina in Anchorage” ~ We acknowledge that we live and work on traditional Dena’ina Elnena (Country), home to members of the Eklutna (Eydlughet) and Knik (K’enakatnu) tribes.

Minimum 5 participants, maximum 20

Note: There are only four scheduled half-days – two in October and two in February. We will hold these at Westchester Lagoon; we can pick up from nearby schools, or you can drop off your kiddo with us there. We do not offer half-day options on the remaining school break days. Please click here to book a half-day program.

PRICE PER YOUTH: $78/half-day, $88/full day

AGE GROUPS: All age groups start and end the day together, but different ages and abilities may vary by activity challenges, skills focus, and level. 

• Wolf Pups, ages 5-6
• Young Outdoor Explorers, ages 7-9
• Jr. Outdoor Explorers, ages 10-12

WHERE

• HALF DAYS: offering half-day pick up from select schools, or parent drop-off at Westchester Lagoon.
• FULL DAYS: Parent drop-off and pick up at our HQ, 1343 G. St. We will go to local parks and outdoor spaces, depending on conditions and seasonal sport activity. Visits to local museums, zoo, and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, among others.

DATES

• HALF-DAYS:
  
  • 10/26 and 27/2022, 2/22 and 23/2023
• 2022 FULL DAYS:
  
  • 10/21, 28; 11/8, 11; 12/22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
• 2023 FULL DAYS:
  
  • 1/2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 16; 2/20, 24; 3/10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 

TIMES

• HALF DAYS:
  • 12/12:30 pm (depends on school) to 4:30 pm**
• FULL DAYS:
  • 9:00 am* to 4:30 pm** 
  • *early drop-off available from 7:30 am -9 am
  • **Pick up between 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

What We’ll Learn

Our Outdoor Studies Programs are designed for youth to learn season-specific outdoor studies skills and foster an authentic relationship with our local wild spaces here in Anchorage. These programs run August – May specifically on ASD scheduled In-Service days, School Breaks, and Holidays. 

Seasonal Sports meets wilderness education: Safe and sustainable recreation is the foundation of all of our programs.This 2022/23 School Year, our In-Service Day and School Break Day Programs are focused on the many human powered adventures and sports kids can enjoy over the course of our Alaskan fall, winter, and spring seasons. Alaskans love multi-sport, human-powered adventures, and we are fortunate to have many outdoor adventures unfold to us as the seasons change. We teach a variety of recreation activities through the lens of safety and sustainability. 

…and the environmental science – biology, glaciology, ecology, geology, conservation and sustainability – that goes with it: In addition to learning a set of outdoor recreation skills, we dive deep into understanding the environmental science and phenomena behind safe and sustainable outdoor recreation. Understanding the natural phenomena behind our outdoor explorations is often essential in understanding how to be safe and to leave minimal impact on our precious wild spaces. This understanding also provides youth a solid foundation in natural sciences to build from in their future careers and interests. 

Visits to local museums, the Alaska Zoo, and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, among others: here in Anchorage we are very lucky to have world-class museums, wildlife conservation centers, and the Alaska Zoo to supplement our natural sciences curriculum and provide a warmer place to learn and play on the very cold winter days. 

On days that are too cold to be outdoors, we will meet up at our HQ, The Little Blue Shop, near downtown Anchorage to learn outdoor activities in an indoor setting – gear repair, knitting, whittling, art, games, and more. We also have the option to take field trips to local museums to supplement our environmental science curriculum with hands-on experiences and learning.

Schedule 2022/23

Please note that the following curriculum and trips/field visits listed on this schedule are subject to change based on environmental conditions and/or other extraneous factors. We will update parents on Remind and via Email any changes to the schedule with as much advance notice as possible and during the day.

1. 1. October 2022

• 10/21/22 – Friday

1. 1. 1. 1. Cook Inlet and Turnagain Arm Place-Based Learning
            1. Beluga whale viewing
            2. Trip to the AWCC

• 10/26/22 – Half Day, Wednesday

• Westchester (Chanshtnu) Place-Based Learning

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Whittling, Autumn Ecology and a closer look at Riparian Zones

• 10/27/22 – Half Day, Thursday

• Westchester (Chanshtnu) Place-Based Learning

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Wilderness First Aid Skills

• 10/28/22 – Friday

1. 1. 1. Kincaid Park Place-Based Learning
         1. Nordic Skiing and Sledding
         2. Visit to the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature

1. 1. November 2022

• 11/8/22 – Tuesday

1. 1. 1. 1. Kincaid Park Place-Based Learning
            1. Nordic Skiing Skills
            2. Winter Navigation and Backcountry Terrain Reading
            3. Winter Survival Skills – Shelters and Hypothermia Studies

• 11/11/22 – Friday

1. 1. 1. Kincaid Park Place-Based Learning
         1. Nordic Skiing Skills/Sledding
         2. Ski-Waxing Day
         3. Visit to the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature

1. 1. December 2022

• 12/22/22 – Thursday

1. 1. 1. 1. Potter Marsh Place-Based Learning
            1. Wild Ice Skating Skills
            2. Marshland Winter Ecology
            3. Games and Art at HQ

• 12/23/22 – Friday

1. 1. 1. 1. Kincaid Park Place-Based Learning
            1. Nordic Skiing Skills/Sledding
            2. Ski-Waxing Day
            3. Visit to the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature

• 12/26/22 – Monday

1. 1. 1. 1. Hatcher Pass Place-Based Learning
            1. Sledding, Backcountry Skiing/Snowboarding Skills
            2. Winter Terrain and Avalanche Awareness/Safety Skills

• 12/27/22 – Tuesday

1. 1. 1. 1. Prospect Heights Place-Based Learning
            1. Backcountry Nordic Skiing or Snowshoe Skills, Winter Terrain Navigation and Orienteering
            2. The Winter flora and fauna “-ologies”
            3. Games and Art at HQ
            4. Ski-Waxing Day

• 12/28/22 – Wednesday

1. 1. 1. 1. Eagle River Nature Center Place-Based Learning
            1. The Winter flora and fauna “-ologies”
               1. Glaciology, Lynx/Hare Cycles, Owls, Subnivean Zones
            2. Shelter Building – Where do animals live in winter? 

• 12/29/22 – Thursday

1. 1. 1. 1. Westchester (Chanshtnu) Place-Based Learning
            1. Wild Ice Skating Skills
               1. Ice anchors vs. snow anchors
               2. Tools to carry for wild ice skating
               3. Hypothermia studies and practice
            2. Art and Games at HQ

• 12/30/22 – Friday

1. 1. 1. Westchester (Chanshtnu) Place-Based Learning
         1. Wild Ice Skating Skills
            1. Ice anchors vs. snow anchors
            2. Tools to carry for wild ice skating
            3. Hypothermia studies and practice
         2. Visit to the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature

1. 1. January 2023

• 1/2/23 – Monday

1. 1. 1. 1. South Fork Eagle River Place-Based Learning
            1. Backcountry Nordic Skiing/Snowshoeing
            2. Winter Survival Skills 
            3. Art and Games at HQ

• 1/3/23 – Tuesday

1. 1. 1. 1. Potter’s Marsh Place-Based Learning
            1. Wild Ice Skating Skills
               1. Ice anchors vs. snow anchors
               2. Tools to carry for wild ice skating
               3. Hypothermia studies and practice
            2. Visit to the AWCC

• 1/4/23 – Wednesday

1. 1. 1. 1. Eagle River Nature Center Place-Based Learning – YURT DAY
            1. The Winter flora and fauna “-ologies”
               1. Glaciology, Lynx/Hare Cycles, Owls, Subnivean Zones
            2. Winter Wilderness First Aid Skills 

• 1/5/23 – Thursday

1. 1. 1. 1. Eagle River Nature Center Place-Based Learning – YURT DAY
            1. The Winter flora and fauna “-ologies”
               1. Glaciology, Lynx/Hare Cycles, Owls, Subnivean Zones
            2. Winter Wilderness First Aid Skills 

• 1/6/23 – Friday

1. 1. 1. 1. Westchester (Chanshtnu) Place-Based Learning
            1. Wild Ice Skating Skills
               1. Ice anchors vs. snow anchors
               2. Tools to carry for wild ice skating
               3. Hypothermia studies and practice
            2. Visit to the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature

• 1/16/23 – Monday

1. 1. 1. Kincaid Park Place-Based Learning
         1. Nordic Skiing Skills/Sledding
         2. The Winter flora and fauna “-ologies”
         3. Art and Games at HQ

1. 1. February 2023

• 2/20/23 – Monday

1. 1. 1. 1. Kincaid Park Place-Based Learning
            1. Nordic Skiing Skills/Sledding
            2. Visit to ARLIS
      2.  2/22/23 – Half Day, Wednesday

• Westchester (Chanshtnu) Place-Based Learning

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Ice Skating and Winter Survival Skills

• 2/23/23 – Half Day, Thursday

• Westchester (Chanshtnu) Place-Based Learning

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Wild Ice Skating and Hypothermia/Cold Injury Wilderness Skills

• 2/24/23 – Friday

1. 1. 1. South Fork Eagle River Place-Based Learning
         1. Backcountry Nordic Skiing/Snowshoeing
         2. Winter Survival Skills 
         3. Art and Games at HQ

1. 1. March/Spring Break 2023

• 3/10/23 – Friday

1. 1. 1. 1. Potter’s Marsh Place-Based Learning
            1. Wild Ice Skating Skills
               1. Ice anchors vs. snow anchors
               2. Tools to carry for wild ice skating
               3. Hypothermia studies and practice
            2. Art and Games at HQ

• 3/13/23 – Monday

1. 1. 1. 1. Potter’s Marsh Place-Based Learning
            1. Wild Ice Skating Skills
               1. Ice anchors vs. snow anchors
               2. Tools to carry for wild ice skating
               3. Hypothermia studies and practice
            2. Visit to the AWCC

• 3/14/23 – Tuesday

1. 1. 1. 1. Eagle River Nature Center Place-Based Learning – YURT DAY
            1. The Winter flora and fauna “-ologies”
               1. Glaciology, Lynx/Hare Cycles, Owls, Subnivean Zones
            2. Winter Wilderness First Aid Skills 

• 3/15/23 – Wednesday

1. 1. 1. 1. Eagle River Nature Center Place-Based Learning – YURT DAY
            1. The Winter flora and fauna “-ologies”
               1. Glaciology, Lynx/Hare Cycles, Owls, Subnivean Zones
            2. Winter Wilderness First Aid Skills 
      2. 3/16/23 – Thursday
         1. Westchester (Chanshtnu) Place-Based Learning
            1. Wild Ice Skating Skills
               1. Ice anchors vs. snow anchors
               2. Tools to carry for wild ice skating
               3. Hypothermia studies and practice
            2. Visit to the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature

• 3/17/23 – Friday

1. 1. 1. Kincaid Park Place-Based Learning
         1. Nordic Skiing Skills/Sledding
         2. The Winter flora and fauna “-ologies”
         3. Art and Games at HQ

Winter Sports: Packing for a day outside

Below is our general guide for what to wear, and how to pack for a day outside with us in the winter. We know it is easy to do this FOR your kiddo, but if you have the time try to get them to take ownership over the packing (then they will know where their things are when they need them!).

In addition to the layers you start out wearing, pack the rest in a duffel or big tote bag. We recommend compartmentalizing different types of gear in water-tight bags withing your duffel or tote. For specific sports, see the seasonal sports gear list below. 

Base Layers: 

Base Layers are worn closest to the skin and tend to be thinner and lightweight. Wear wool, wool-blends, or synthetic polyesters. Getting these layers right can make your day!

• Base Layer long-sleeve top
• Base Layer full-length pants
• Wool or wool-blend socks (thickness depends on temperature and activity)
• synthetic/wool-blend underwear
• wool, wool-blend or synthetic bra

Insulating/Middle Layers: 

Middle, or insulating, layers are thicker layers like softshell, fleece, microfleece, micro-puff down or wool sweaters and pants. Some days, based on your activity and conditions, this middle layer is all you’ll need to wear on top of your base layer.

• Mid-Weight Jacket or sweater
• Mid-Weight full-length pants

Outer Layers

Outer Layers need to block wind, block wet, and insulate to keep cold from getting through to your body. Some products do all three in one, while others do just one or a combo.

• Wind and Water-Proof, Insulating Coat
• Wind and Water-Proof, Insulating Pants or Bib

Hats, Gloves, and Footwear: 

Don’t underestimate how much the wind and cold together can damage the skin on your hands, ears, and face. If you are doing a sport where you are moving fast and creating a wind on your face or it is windy outside, keep you face covered as much as possible. We recommend packing a warm pair of liner gloves that can fit inside an insulating, wind-proof mitt that you can toss a hand-warmer into. Once your hands get cold it is really challenging to get them warm again.

• fleece/wind-stopping liner gloves
• insulated over mitts
• Vaseline (petroleum jelly) for face protection from windburn and frostbite
• cold-weather sunscreen for those sunny winter days on the snow
• balaclava, wind stopping
• goggles for eye protection
• thin hat to wear under helmets
• thick hat if not wearing helmets
• appropriately insulated, waterproof boots for the activity
• if using boots for a specialized sport like skiing or ice skating, pack insulated winter boots to change into when done
• gaiters – waterproof coverings that prevents snow and water from getting into your specialized sporty boots (most good snow pants/bibs come with integrated gaiters that cover the tops of your boots.)

Putting it all together – In the Duffel: 

Packing extra clothes in a duffle to have on hand will keep you in good spirits all day. We like to compartmentalize our extra-gear/after-activity duffel by keeping the things we don’t want to get wet in watertight bags. We can put our thick outer layers folded up on one side, our extra boots on the other, and our base and middle layers, extra pair of gloves, balaclava, and extra thick hat in a water tight dry bag or Ziploc in the middle. Pack a black garbage sack to toss wet clothes into. Pack handwarmers and and SOL bivy bag. Pack extra plastic turkey bags – if your boots get wet, you can put dry socks on, put your feet into the turkey bag, and then put your wet boots back on. Hopefully you won’t need to bust open your “Oh, Sh*t! Kit”, but it is so nice to have if you do need it. If you don’t, then you’ll always have one ready to go for your next adventure!

• In a water-tight bag:
  • extra pair of base layers
  • a few extra pairs of thick wool socks
  • extra liner gloves, thick hat, balaclava
  • extra fleecy mid-weight top and bottoms
  • plastic bags, like turkey bags
• In the duffel
  • a garbage bag for your wet clothes
  • insulated, water-proof winter boots if you’re doing a specialized sport activity like ice skating or skiing
  • thick outer layers if you are doing an activity where you aren’t wearing them, to put on after
  • hand-warmers
  • SOL bivy bag
  • BIG lunch plus extra snacks
  • water bottle (we carry extra water to refill)
  • thermos of hot tea or cocoa

Click here to go to Booking Page

For most of our youth programs, we use a booking software system called “Hi Sawyer”. This is helpful for us and families because you can build out your profile through a log-in, and your child’s information and payment info are securely vaulted within this software.

When you click “book now” on our website, it will take you to the “hi sawyer” page where you can begin the registration process for a specific program, or look up a program on the main calendar.

After selecting what you would like to sign up for, it will take you to a page where you can either log in or create a new profile. 

It is very important that you fill out your family’s and child’s profile with all adults involved email address and phone numbers, as well as your child’s medical information. Often times when one parent or legal guardian doesn’t receive emails from us, it is because their email address wasn’t added to the profile.

Our Programs are designed to teach wilderness safety skills and knowledge, sustainable and safe outdoor recreation skills, and empower youth to develop confidence, self-reliance, build friendships, and be leaders. 

Every school-break day is planned to include the outdoor sports that suit current conditions – ice skating, sledding, skiing, hiking, and visits to museums on very cold days. While we have a schedule, it is tentative as conditions may be very different than what we planned. Our number one goal is to have a good time and be safe.

A note on daily plans, communication, and weather: Because of sometimes rapidly changing environmental conditions and hazards, and unpredictable seasonal winter weather, we can’t predict exactly what conditions will be best for until a few days before the program starts. Sometimes we have three feet of snow in January, sometimes we have none.

It is essential that parents join our “remind” channel and stay tuned in to their emails from us through our “HiSawyer” reservation system so that you get updates on what gear you may need to pack for the day. We will send out reminders on both of the above channels 72-24 hours before a program’s start.

• Click this link to join our “remind” communication channel.
• or, text @breakday to the number 81010

Email: hello@intothewoodsalaska.com

Phone: 907.406.5651 or 907.229.9780

PARTICIPANT OR PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN INITIATED CANCELLATIONS AND REFUND POLICY: This policy has been established to meet the demands of planning well organized expeditions and programs. If for any reason a program ends early there will be no refund. All cancellations and requests for refunds MUST be submitted via the cancellation form “ITWAK Customer Cancellation Notification” on our website. We have many different types of programs, for which our cancellation policies vary.

In the event that you are unable to join us the following guidelines will apply.

For All Multi-Day Bookings including, but not limited to: Summer Camps – both weekly and “drop-in” days, Multi-Day Expeditions, and school-break full and half-days.

1. 75% refunds will be provided 60 or more days prior to the program/camp date.
2. 50% refunds will be provided 30-59 days prior to the program date.
3. No refunds will be provided within 29 days of the program date.
4. If a student/participant is expelled due to behavioral issues (please see item 10 below) there will be no refund for their current program and the student/participant is responsible for costs incurred from their expulsion. For future programs in which theyare enrolled and expelled, there will be a 75% refund.