Visions Alaska

  United States

Alaska,  Tanacross Village

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: June 30 - July 27

Description: Alaska, from the Aleut word Aleyska meaning The Great Land, is America's largest state with a landmass one-fifth the contiguous United States. Half the world's active volcanoes and more than half its glaciers are found in Alaska. Untouched wilderness stretching to the horizon, mountains not viewed so much as experienced, majestic and truly wild creatures'Alaska is America's last frontier.

Although from diverse cultural heritages, Alaskans on the whole are self-reliant and individualistic. Ingenuity and resourcefulness are requisites for living in this austere, formidable state so far removed in location and attitude that everywhere else is simply referred to as 'outside' by Alaskans.

Visions project sites are roughly five to six hours northeast of Anchorage in native Ahtna villages in the Copper River Basin on the edges of Wrangell-St. Elias National Preserve. Traveling from Anchorage to our program home base we will see mountains of the Wrangell, Talkeetna and Chugach ranges, and view the Matanuska Glacier easily from the highway.

Highlights: Our construction projects in Alaska are an unusual mix of carpentry elements. Anything from finish work to milling logs is possible. You will use hammers and power drills, circular saws and shovels. Bridges and playgrounds, community buildings and a basketball court all have been built by past participants. We also organize day camps for the local children. Your summer work is determined by the needs of the community and accomplished with the blessing of the residents.

Opportunities for recreation abound. Day hikes to surrounding mountain peaks and backpacking trips inside the Wrangells feature dramatic vistas and wildlife viewing. You will walk on and inside the Root Glacier, and climb its ice faces under supervision of the St. Elias Alpine Guides. We will visit Kenicott, once home to the richest copper mines in the world, now an abandoned collection of immense mining equipment and brooding structures.

You will be immersed in the daily lives of our native Ahtna hosts. Play basketball with local kids. Attend a picnic laid out with everything from potato salad to smoked salmon and rabbit, hot dogs to moose and fry bread. Learn how to clean and cook salmon in the traditional way. Seek out village elders and spend a quiet evening learning beadwork while listening to stories of life in Alaska. Ladle water onto hot rocks in an Athabaskan steam bath.

Fundamental challenges and lasting friendships await you in Alaska.

Cost in US$: 4,400

Experience Required: no

Participants Travel to United States in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 25

Application Process Involves:

• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Visions Service Adventures's Mission Statement: VISIONS offers teenagers opportunities for ambitious service work and cross-cultural immersion in the United States and abroad. We work with and for intercultural communities that lack financial and other development resources. Through service, authentic experience, and active exploration, we encourage new perspectives and dynamic learning.

Year Founded: 1989