Background
The Sitka Trail Works Youth Program is inspired by the SCORE Program, originally created and run by Woody Widmark, that operated in Sitka for many years. Following a successful pilot program in 2022, Sitka Trail Works (STW) launched the Youth Program in partnership with Sitka Tribe of Alaska (STA) in 2023. This summer program aimed to incorporate traditional Tribal values into trail maintenance skills training, intended to strengthen a sense of identity and attachment to place in young Tribal citizens. Sitka Trail Works, a 501(c)3, facilitated the multi-jurisdictional approach and formed community connections to engage local youth in caring for the land. The 2023 Lingít Aaní Trail Works Camp was hosted by Sitka Trail Works and Sitka Tribe of Alaska, with local, state, and federal public land managers contributing to training and stewardship activities.
In 2024, Sitka Trail Works summer camps expanded even further to offer 6 individual camps throughout the summer, increasing the youth served by 400%. Incredible partnerships with aligned organizations made this possible. We would like to extend special gratitude to Youth Advocates of Sitka, Sitka Conservation Society, Sitka Native Education Program, Southeast Alaska Independent Living, and Sitkans Against Family Violence.
2024 Camp Goals
The STW Youth Program aimed to empower youth ages 8-18 to have fun outdoors, connect with place-based culture, and learn key outdoor skills. Youth engaged in outdoor recreation, environmental storytelling, harvesting and processing culturally significant foods and medicinal plants, and learned transferrable skills in outdoor survival.
Overarching Goals:
- Support cultural education
- Promote community trails and physical activity through outdoor recreation
- Foster a fun and comfortable space for all
Summer Schedule
Hiking Camp
In partnership with the 4H Alaska Way of Life Club through the Sitka Conservation Society, our first camp of 2024 involved hiking local trails with 8-12 year olds. This camp was a continuation of the afterschool hiking program also offered in partnership with 4H. Each day, participants tackled a new local trail and supported each other through physical and mental challenges. At the end of the week, the youth over 10 years old had to opportunity to experience an overnight backpacking trip to Blue Lake campground, hiking up and over the alpine from Herring Cove. Youth connected through the challenges to build community and perseverance. This camp served 12 youth.
Outdoor Industry Professional Development Camp
In partnership with Southeast Alaska Independent Living (SAIL), we hosted a one-week outdoor industry professional development camp for local high school students. Professionals who work in the outdoor field and grew up in Sitka came in to share how they got to where they are, and what they do in the day to day of their role. The goal of this camp was to share the multitude of options for careers that allow you to get outside and inspire youth to consider roles in natural resources. From Marine Debris work to Archeology, youth were exposed to a variety of career options in Sitka. This camp served 10 high school students.
Tidal Times
Tidal Times was a week-long camp centered on our tidelands. Youth explored tidepools and then participated in marine debris cleanups at local beaches. We also explored our ocean footprint through hands on activities and campers were responsible for sorting their own waste at the end of the week at the recycling center. Found objects were used to produce art as youth reflected on the variety of ways recycled materials could be used. This camp served 14 youth entering 1st-5th grade and was made possible through staffing support from Sitkans Against Family Violence.
Trail Tales & Muskeg Mosaics
In partnership with Youth Advocates of Sitka, we offered a one-week camp for middle schoolers centered on art and storytelling in nature. Through activities that connect youth to the ample benefits of the outdoors, we grew comfort for youth on local trails. A standout activity was harvesting s’axt’ (Devil’s Club) with a cultural expert and processing the bark to make tea and the sticks to make beads and jewelry. We donated the tea and necklaces as gifts for a community event to practice the importance of giving back with the youth. Other highlights include berry harvesting to make smoothies, volunteering at the community garden, and cyanotype printing! This camped served 12 youth.
Sheet’ka Splash Mountain Camp
In partnership with Youth Advocates of Sitka, Sitka Conservation Society, and the Sitka Native Education Program, we offered a two week camp for youth entering 7th-12th grade that taught key survival skills in and around the water. As an island community, most kids will be exposed to water activities at some point in their lives, if not going on boats every weekend with their family, they will be swimming in Swan Lake or playing at Sandy Beach on sunny days. A majority of youth don’t know the necessary skills to survive should an emergency arise when doing these activities. Staff from all organizations took a “Train-The-Trainer” workshop with the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association to learn how to teach these skills to youth. After learning key skills all camp, the whole crew traveled by boat to a remote beach at Point Brown on Kruzof Island to put their skills to the test in a culminating experience. The partnerships allowed us to expand the numbers we served, hosting [_______] students over the two weeks.
Clue Crew: Scavenger HUnts and Murder Mystery
Our final camp of the summer, also offered with Youth Advocates of Sitka, was Clue Crew. At Clue Crew, our middle school aged campers found geocaches on local trails, created their own costumes and acted in a murder mystery, did a scavenger hunt throughout town, and more! This camp was especially fun because it was designed by youth themselves. During school year programming, we had asked students what activities they would like to see in summer camp, cultivating far more engagement by giving the kids ownership in design. Lots of laughs were had as we took to the trails and enjoyed the gorgeous Sitka weather we had that week.
