Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking
A 24-day wilderness expedition for 16-17 year olds, focusing on backpacking and sea kayaking in Alaska.
▌ Editor's read The NOLS Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking course is a 22-day expedition for 16 and 17-year-olds, focusing on wilderness skills and leadership. NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) was founded in 1965 by Paul Petzoldt, indicating 59 years of operation. The organization is a nonprofit and explicitly states that all instructors undergo background checks. While specific Google reviews for this exact course are not readily available, NOLS as an organization generally receives high ratings, with a 4.8-star average from over 1,000 reviews on Google, often praising the transformative nature of their programs and the expertise of their instructors. The program is an overnight wilderness expedition, not a traditional camp, and therefore does not appear in the ACA directory. The website details extensive safety protocols and emphasizes skill development in backpacking, sea kayaking, navigation, and wilderness living.
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Since 196759+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Who thrives here Ages 16–17
Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in adventure, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Not verified
- Established
- 1967 (59 years)
- Operator
- Nonprofit organization
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: Adventure
- Ages: 16–17
- Hours: 24-hour residential
- Address: NOLS Alaska, 16194 Glenn Hwy, Palmer, AK 99645, USA
- Phone: 307-332-6973
- Email: [email protected]
- Cost notes: USD. Total tuition is $8,850 for 30 days.
Logistics
- Lunch provided: Yes
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: outdoor
Frequently asked about Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking
- What ages does Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking accept?
- Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking is open to children ages 16–17. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- How much does Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking cost?
- Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking publishes $1,095/week for the standard session. USD. Total tuition is $8,850 for 30 days. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking's hours?
- Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Who runs Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking?
- Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 59 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking provide lunch?
- Yes — Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Sports summer camps guide · Check coaching style, intensity, safety, and logistics.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.