Alaska Adventure 2009 Learning and Adventure in America’s Last Great Frontier

Alaska Adventure 2009

Learning and Adventure in America’s Last Great Frontier

Learning and Adventure in America’s Last Great Frontier

Adventures to Planet EarthAlaska Adventure 2009 Overview

8 day program Hotel and cabin

accommodations Large deluxe

motorcoach Finest field guides From ocean, to

glaciers, to tundra of Denali, to culture of native Alaskans

Alaska Adventure Itinerary

Our route takes us north from Anchorage, to Denali National Park, and south to Seward and the Kenai Peninsula

Brief Highlights of Program

Kenai Fjords National Park-tidewater glaciers

Cruise to see glaciers “calving” into the sea

Lunch at Fox Island Whales and dolphins in

Gulf of Alaska Touch a moving glacier Denali National Park

wildlife viewing

Brief Highlights page 2

Denali tundra wildlife safari-Alaska’s “big five” Alaska Railroad journey-Denali to Anchorage Alaskan cultural center-meet native Alaskans

Earth Explore FoundationAdventures to Planet Earth

Sponsoring Teacher-led educational programs since 1995

Founded by teachers and outdoor educators

Mission is to connect students with Planet Earth

4 thousand students have participated

Adventures to Planet EarthFun and Learning in Inspiring Places

Just the Facts-Earth Explore

Teacher led Low adult to student ratio Credit opportunities Always hands-on World’s finest partner universities

and outdoor educators An ideal mix of learning and fun

adventure

Preparation Meetings get students ready for the trip

Programs are mission based, emphasizing cross disciplinary study of Planet Earth. Not just a Student “Tour”

Study Planet Earth, its history, natural environments and cultures

Create enduring connections with the natural world

Encourage young people to become involved with Planet Earth and its future

What happens when? Groups form August through December All Adventures usually full by January

1st Teacher conducts preparation sessions

in late winter and spring Usually 4-6 two hour get-togethers Student receives the Naturalist

newsletter quarterly, and program Adventure Guide

What happens when?

Travel Packet arrives in MayDetailed day to day

itineraryOfficial program cap,

field journal, photo credentials, luggage tag, T-shirt

Earth Explore OnlinePDFs to download

Academic Credit Outline Fundraising Packet

Program Newsletters Student Application Health Form (spring)

Earth Explore AdventuresStudent application process

Applications accepted until local group is full, then waitlist is begun

If student is not known to teacher, interview is required

Limited number of spaces for each Adventure each season

Student application is mailed, faxed, or submitted online

Student application process - continued

Lead teacher will have materials or they can be requested from the National Office or downloaded online

Friends or siblings can participate, but they must be interviewed if not known to the teacher

Our Alaska Adventure

Begin in Anchorage

City Overview and Orientation Native Alaska

Heritage CenterAlaska’s diversenative cultures

Anchorage to Talkeetna

Overnight at frontier outpost of Talkeetna, gateway to Denali and expeditions to the Alaska range

Iditarod headquarters tour

Denali National Park

Tundra Wildlife Viewing Spotting of Alaska’s “Big

Five” animals Naturalist programs on

tundra ecosystem, wildlife and habitats

Viewing of 20,320 foot Mt. McKinley (Denali)

History and Ecology of Region

To Anchorage via Rail

Afternoon/evening transfer via Alaska Railroad with dinner onboard

Anchorage to Seward Spectacular Chugach National Forest Historic Seward Alaska SeaLife Center on

Resurrection Bay

Seward to Kenai Fjords Natl Park Glacier Cruise-naturalist led program on glaciers

and Alaska’s ocean environments-viewing of humpback whales, orcas, porpoises

Kenai Natl Park Glacier Cruise

Calving Tidewater Glaciers Aialik Bay, Kenai Fjords National Park

Seward to Anchorage

Hike to Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park to touch ancient glacial ice

Discussion of climate change, global issues

Portage Glacier and icebergs

America’s last great frontierAlaska Adventure 2009