Alaska Environmental Studies

Overview

Join us for three weeks of hands-on learning about the spectacular Alaskan environment. Deepen your knowledge of the key environmental challenges facing Alaska while exploring its mountains and sea kayaking Prince William Sound.

Alaska’s breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife make it an ideal place to immerse ourselves in a study of the natural world. With experienced instructors and two enthusiastic Overland leaders, our Alaska Environmental Studies program allows students to learn firsthand about the beautiful—but fragile—Alaskan environment. Through day hikes and field lessons in the Chugach Mountains, we’ll learn about Alaska’s wildlife and spectacular landscape—touching upon topics ranging from bears and their place within Alaska’s ecosystem to the problematic interaction between humans and the changing Alaskan environment.

Heading out on an overnight backpacking trip, we’ll explore the landscape we’ve been studying. We’ll then delve deeper into key environmental issues, such as climate change and how it impacts glaciers and marine life in Alaska. We’ll learn through work in the field, including a visit to Kenai Fjords National Park and its spectacular tidewater glaciers. Throughout our time together, we’ll enjoy the beauty of Alaska by spending as much time outdoors as possible, through hands-on experiential learning and regular hikes in the Alaskan wilderness. At program’s end, we’ll celebrate our time together with an exciting sea kayaking trip on Prince William Sound.

“Everyone should have the opportunity to do Overland at least once in their lifetime!” Kelly Tribble Spencer, Catonsville, Maryland

Highlights

• Deepen your understanding of the challenges facing Alaska’s environment
• Hands-on learning at the Denali Education Center and Alaska SeaLife Center
• Hike in the beautiful Chugach Mountains
• Visit Denali National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
• Sea kayak Prince William Sound

Grade

For students who will finish grades 9-12 in June 2010. Call us (800.458.0588) to check on current availability.

Challenge Level

4 (1-10, 1 is easiest)

Start and End Location

Starts and ends in Anchorage, Alaska

Families are responsible for making travel arrangements to and from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Overland’s leaders will be on hand at the airport to provide supervision and assistance at trip start and end.

Dates and Fees

Sunday, June 27 to Friday, July 16
Sunday, July 18 to Friday, August 6

$4595 (airfare is not included)

“Overland made me realize how beautiful the world really is.” Eliza Christman, Simsbury, Connecticut

Itinerary

Trip Start

We’ll meet in Anchorage and spend the first day getting to know each other and preparing for out time in the Alaskan interior.

Denali Education Center

From Anchorage we’ll head north to the Denali Education Center (http://www.denali.org/), where will spend the first night learning about the Subartic ecosystem. Experienced naturalists will guide us on hikes through the boreal forest, teaching us about the flora and fauna of forests, taiga and tundra. Instruction will continue at the Center itself, where we’ll learn about the special adaptations of the fauna residing in the Denali bioregion through interactive lessons.

Visiting Denali National Park

During our time at the Denali Education Center (www.denali.org/) we’ll spend a day in Denali National Park (www.denalinationalpark.com), exploring one of our nation’s greatest national parks. Denali offers over six million acres of wilderness and we’ll explore the park by bus and foot, hoping to catch a glimpse of moose, caribou, wolves, dall sheep and grizzly bears. In the midst of the glacier-draped Alaska Range, we’ll hike across tundra and braided riverbeds, enjoying the lightness of our daypacks and our spectacular setting.

Chugach Backcountry

From Denali we’ll return south to the Chugach Mountains for a 3-day, 2-night backcountry trip. We’ll hike across the Alaskan tundra, climb over passes and camp in beautiful alpine valleys. During our time in the backcountry we’ll learn the basics of Leave No Trace ethics, bear safety, map and compass skills and other essential backcountry skills.

Marine Ecosystems and Climate Change at the Alaska SeaLife Center

Following our backcountry we’ll head south to the Alaska SeaLife Center ( http://www.alaskasealife.org/), the Western Hemisphere’s only cold-water marine research facility, located on Resurrection Bay. Experts from the Center will accompany our groups on a hike to the Harding Icefield in Kenai Fjords National Park, a fieldtrip to the Bear Creek Salmon Weir and an exploration of low tide at Lowell Point, among other activities. During our time at the SeaLife Center we’ll learn about Alaska’s marine ecosystems and how climate change has impacted coastal communities, fisheries and marine animals. Our visit to the Alaska SeaLife Center will include a behind the scene look at careers in marine science along with a tour of the rehabilitation and research facilities of the center itself.

Sea Kayaking Prince William Sound

We’ll wrap up our three weeks in Alaska with a sea kayaking trip on Prince William Sound with Alaska Sea Kayakers (www.alaskaseakayakers.com). We’ll learn paddling techniques and environmental awareness from our experienced guides as we average six to seven miles daily. We'll keep our eyes peeled for calving glaciers and marine life and spend our nights in tents on beautiful, remote beaches. No previous kayaking experience is required.

Trip End

At trip’s end, we’ll head back to Anchorage to celebrate our three weeks of learning about and exploring Alaska’s spectacular environment!

“I loved my group!” Sydney Larkin, Cincinnati, Ohio

Trip Details

Additional Costs

Transportation to and from program start and end locations, spending money and personal gear are not included in the program fee.

“Overland was a pleasure to deal with—very organized and very communicative!” Jan Petersen, Newton Square, Pennsylvania

Photos

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Videos

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Prepare & Pack

Alaska Environmental Studies is rated a 4 on a scale of 1-10 (1 is easiest). This rating places Alaska Environmental Studies in a low moderate category.

Students need to be excited about the challenges that the Alaskan elements offer: dramatic weather changes, almost 24 hours of daylight and often buggy conditions.

Your trip will be significantly more enjoyable if you have a basic level of fitness and well-broken-in boots. We cannot overemphasize the importance of well-broken-in boots. There have been students who have had to leave their trips because of blisters from boots that were not broken in. The training guidelines below are designed to help you properly break in your boots and develop a solid fitness base.

Five weeks before your trip: Wear your boots for 15-30 minutes a day to walk around your house or neighborhood so your boots will begin to conform to your feet.

Four weeks before your trip: Take three 30-minute hikes or walks in your boots.

Three weeks before your trip: Take three 60-minute hikes or walks in your boots.

Two weeks before your trip: Take three 1-hour hikes or walks in your boots with a backpack loaded with 10% of your body weight.

One week before your trip: Take two 2-hour hikes or walks in your boots with a backpack loaded with 15-20% of your body weight.

Your enjoyment of this trip will hinge on several factors:

1. Your fitness. Any reasonably fit, reasonably active teen will do just fine.
2. Your motivation. It’s not always easy—you must be motivated!
3. Your commitment to teamwork. Overland trips require compromise, patience and selflessness. Support your trip leaders and your trip mates, and you’ll find that you will have a great experience.

Experience will vary among participants and no prior kayaking experience is necessary.

Train hard for the trip, be prepared for a challenge and come ready to be an important member of a close-working team.

“Both leaders were always helpful and caring. They were also very entertaining and fun to be with!” Katie Cogar, Baltimore, Maryland

Packing for Your Trip

Our packing list is designed to keep you safe and comfortable while hiking and camping this summer. Nighttime temperatures are much cooler when you are at high elevation than they tend to be in the regions most of us are from. The warm clothing and layers listed may seem unnecessary now, but we guarantee you'll appreciate them this summer! Keep in mind, however, that there are a wide range of products available in terms of clothing and equipment. Overland programs are relatively short, and although you want your clothing and equipment to be durable, this does not mean it has to be top of the line. Oftentimes more basic and less expensive options perform just as well. Some of our favorite brands in terms of quality of product for a reasonable price include REI, EMS and L.L.Bean.

Label the following items with your name, address and phone number.  Bring only what you need and pack everything in your backpack or daypack. You should wear your hiking boots on the plane and carry your sleeping bag and sleeping pad on the plane with you in case your checked luggage fails to arrive on time.

Please bring only the clothes listed below. Do not wear an extra set of clothes for the flight. By layering you will stay cool on warm days, dry on rainy days and warm on cool nights. You will have the chance to do laundry periodically. You will be able to leave some extra items in our van while we are on the trail, but please stick to the packing list. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact our office.

Specialized Gear

Overland will rent specialized gear for any of our non-hiking activities. (e.g., sea kayaking), and this is included in your trip fee.

Clothing

• Fleece Jacket or Pullover & Long Fleece Pants
  The fleece should be medium to heavy weight and reasonably compact. Please don't bring jeans or sweatpants. They are heavy, bulky and will not keep you warm if wet.


• Synthetic Long Underwear Top or Synthetic Long-Sleeve Shirt and Long Underwear Bottom
  Two or three tops and one bottom. Synthetic material will keep you warm in varying weather and is a comfortable layer to wear while hiking or in camp.


• Winter Hat and Gloves/Mittens
  For cool nights in camp.


• Waterproof, Breathable Rain Jacket and Pants
  Your rain gear must be waterproof (not just water and/or wind resistant). GoreTex is one of the better-known waterproof, breathable fabrics, but there are many of these fabrics to choose from. Ponchos are not acceptable as they are difficult to hike in and don't provide the same protection that a rain jacket does.


• Insulated vest
  An insulated fleece, Thinsulate or down vest will help keep your core warm during cool mornings out on the trail. Be sure it's compactable.


• Hiking Shorts or Pants
  Two pairs. Synthetic only, no cotton, as cotton absorbs moisture and will not keep you warm when wet. Instead of shorts, you may choose to wear pants while hiking to keep mud, water and snow off your legs and boots.


• T-Shirts
  Three. Synthetic are recommended; cotton are acceptable. At least one synthetic shirt is recommended because it will dry faster than cotton. One cotton shirt works well for at night in camp.

• Underwear
  Five.


• Socks
  Four pairs of thick wool/synthetic blend socks made for hiking. Synthetic socks dry faster after a day on the trail and help protect your feet better than a cotton sock.


• Pajamas
  One pair only. Pajamas aren't required as many students sleep in shorts and a t-shirt.


• Bathing Suit
  One only.


• Sport Sandals
  With a heel strap for swimming and around camp. No flip-flops or Crocs as these will not be acceptable for kayaking. If you do not have sport sandals, your sneakers will work fine for kayaking and around camp.


• Sneakers or Tennis Shoes
  A comfortable and lightweight alternative to your hiking boots. To be used on short day hikes and in camp when your hiking boots are not necessary.

Hiking & Camping Equipment

• Hiking Boots
  Waterproof backpacking boots (recommended price range $125 to $175). Choose a comfortable boot that is designed for hiking with a medium weight pack. Your boots should have a durable leather upper that can be treated with waterproofing wax or liquid, or have a waterproof fabric/leather combination. If the boots you like have a GoreTex liner, that is great but your boots do not need to have GoreTex liners to be waterproof; good quality leather when treated properly is waterproof. Follow the waterproofing instructions from the boots' manufacturer prior to the start of your trip; typically you must wear the boots for at least a week before they will accept waterproofing treatment.


• Backpack
  4,000-5,000 cubic inches.  Before you purchase a backpack, find your backpack size by measuring your torso length and your hips.  We recommend getting fitted at a store where you can try on a number of different packs. Follow REI's guidelines on how to find your backpack size:
• 
  Measure Your Torso Length.  This is key:  Your torso length, not your height, determines your pack size.  Here's how to measure it: 1.With the help of a friend, locate the bony bump at the base of your neck.  This is where the slope of your shoulder meets your neck, also known as the seventh vertebra.  Tilt your head forward to locate it more easily. 2. Using a flexible tape measure, have your friend start measuring at that spot down your spine, following the curves of your back. 3. Place your hands on your hips to feel your iliac crest, the twin pointy protrusions on the front of your hips.  Position your hands so your thumbs are reaching behind you. 4. Finish measuring at the point where the tape crosses an imaginary line between your thumbs.  This distance is your torso length.  
  Measure Your Hips. While less critical than torso length, this is helpful if you're considering a pack that offers mulitiple sizes of interchangeable hipbelts.  To measure, take your tape measure and wrap it around the tops of your hips.  This is the "latitude line" where you can feel your iliac crest, the two pointy bones on the front of your hips.  A properly positioned hipbelt will straddle your iliac crest at this line.


• Day Pack
  Your day pack can be used as a carry-on and will be necessary for day hikes. This can be a very basic backpack, maybe even just your school backpack. You should be able to carry it over both shoulders (i.e., NOT a satchel) and it should be big enough to hold your lunch, 2 water bottles, snacks and some extra warm clothes.


• Sleeping Bag
  We recommend a lightweight, compact, synthetic sleeping bag that is warm to 20 degrees or less. Your sleeping bag should compress enough to fit into your backpack. Some sleeping bags come with a stuff sack which is a small bag that you can stuff your sleeping bag into and then cinch down to make it compact. If your bag does not have one, you can purchase one at most outdoors stores. A stuff sack that compresses your bag to 12" to 20" is recommended. Down bags are not recommended because of the relatively wet damp weather in Alaska. Carry your sleeping bag on the plane with you.

• Sleeping Pad
   A full length pad that is inflatable like a ThermaRest or a closed cell foam (thin and firm) like a Therma Ridge Rest is appropriate. It should be compact enough to either fit in your pack or be strapped to the outside. Carry your sleeping pad on the plane with you.


• Water Bottle
  One 1-liter Nalgene (or similar) water bottle. Overland will provide you with a second water bottle on arrival. A Camelbak or similar water bladder is acceptable.

• Small Safety Whistle
  Plastic or metal with a string or lanyard attached. This is for safety reasons in case a student is separated from the group.


• Utensils
  For meals you will need a 6" to 8" plastic Tupperware/Rubbermaid dish or bowl with a top and a spoon. We also recommend a plastic insulated mug to be used for hot drinks.

Miscellaneous Gear

• Towel
  Medium size cotton towel or synthetic camping towel.


• Plastic Bags
  Ten large ziplocks (1-2 gallon) and 4 large trash bags. The trash bags will be used to line your pack and to wrap your sleeping bag and pad in. The ziplocks will be used to organize and waterproof the rest of your gear.


• Toiletries
  All travel size (in a plastic bag).  If necessary, you will be able to restock en route.


• Moleskin or Molefoam
  One full package for blister protection.


• Hat (with a visor, e.g a baseball cap), Sunglasses, Sunscreen (SPF 15+), Chapstick (with SPF protection) & Insect Repellent


• Paperback Book and/or Journal
  Optional. Your group will collectively keep a group journal, and you will receive a copy of the journal after your trip. If you would like to keep your own journal, you should bring one.


• Camera/Batteries/Memory Card

Optional. Interested in seeing your photographs or videos on Overland's website next year? Bring a camera with lots of pixels (10 or more) and lots of memory (4GB or more). Buying a new camera? One of our favorites is the Canon PowerShot SD960 IS digital camera.



• Spending Money
  $50/week for souvenirs, gifts and necessities (like more sunscreen if you run out, camera film or envelopes to mail letters).

Note: Please do not bring any type of knife or multi-tool (e.g., Swiss Army Knife, Leatherman).

We do not permit personal electronics on our programs (e.g., cellphones and iPods). We do, however, allow students who fly to their program to carry a cell phone while traveling; on arrival, Overland's leaders will collect all cell phones for the duration of the program and return them for flights home. Perhaps, a better option would be to bring a pre-paid phone card so that the leaders do not have to carry cell phones for the duration of the program.

Admissions

Below is the Admissions Materials packet and other information for Alaska Environmental Studies.

Admissions Materials 2010

Flight & Travel Information 2010

Program Start & End Information 2010

Alaska Environmental Studies Release Form 2010

Apply

We welcome your interest in joining Overland this summer!

To apply, please complete and sign the application on page 47 of the Overland catalog or download an application. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download the application).

Please refer to page 46 of our catalog for important information you should know before signing the application.

Send your application and $795 deposit to:

Overland
P.O. Box 31
Williamstown, MA 01267

For overnight mail via UPS or FedEx, please use our street address:

Overland
63 Spring Street
Williamstown, MA 01267

Sorry, we are unable to accept applications by fax, and we do not take credit cards. Applications are reviewed in the order in which they arrive at our office and we cannot hold spots over the phone.

To learn about our admissions process, please click here.