Best Overnight Summer Camps In Alaska 2024

Visiting Alaska’s diverse and beautiful landscapes is on every nature enthusiast’s bucket list. Luckily for young kids who love outdoor adventures, Alaska offers plenty of awesome overnight camping opportunities.

Allowing youth to connect with nature keeps them safer and happier. Your camper can go on an incredible adventure exploring the Last Frontier, seeing animals and ecosystems that are hard to find anywhere else. 

If your nature-loving child wants more than the average summer camp experience this year, consider sending them to one of these fantastic overnight summer camps in Alaska.

Summer Camp	Location	Ages	Gender	Session Lengths
Rustic Pathways	Anchorage	14-18	Coed	13 days
Camp Li-Wa	Fairbanks	6-18	Coed	1 week
Into The Woods Alaska	Anchorage	5-13	Coed	1 week
Alaska Geographic Youth Expeditions	Anchorage	13-18	Coed	1 week
Scouts BSA Resident Camp	Fairbanks	11-17	Coed	1 week
Camp Fire Alaska	Anchorage	6-17	Coed	3, 5, 6 days
Kings Lake Camp	Wasilla	7-17	Coed	1 week
Bingle Camp	Salcha	6-18	Coed	2 days, 1 week

1. Rustic Pathways

With the Rustic Pathways Alaska: Off The Map program, students can meet the Alaskan wilderness.  For 13 days, students between 14 and 18 years old will get a glimpse of some of the most beautiful landscapes in Alaska. 

They will get to see the Denali National Park and Preserve and the Kenai Peninsula Borough. Students arrive at the Ted Steven Anchorage Airport where they meet the program staff. From there, every day is the start of a new adventure exploring different areas while going on tours to see wildlife like otters, whales, and much more. 

Participants will also complete 10 service hours for which they get credit. Rustic Pathways has been running programs like these since 1983. It’s an opportunity for your children to learn outdoor skills and explore the more remote parts of the United States. Visit their website for a more detailed itinerary of what the days will look like.

2. Camp Li-Wa

Camp Li-Wa is a Christian summer camp located just outside of Fairbanks. They aim to bring faith-involved youth closer to God through nature activities. The summer is a special time in Alaska, so Camp Li-Wa likes to take advantage. 

They host day camps for younger campers through Discovery Days. They can spend their time interacting with animals at their petting zoo, white water rafting, canoeing, and improving their archery skills. It provides the perfect first-time camp experience. 

Base Camp are their traditional overnight camps that infuses fun activities with faith-building. Your camper can gain a wide range of new skills, including riflery, rock wall climbing, and arts and crafts. 

Older students can also attend their specialty options. If your child is interested in horseback riding, they will love learning from their certified instructors at their Horse program. Their adventure session gives campers a chance to explore Denali National Park. Some of their programs, like their equine course, are open year-round. 

3. Into The Woods Alaska

Into The Woods has a simple motto: outdoor science, safety, and leadership. Located in Kincaid park, campers as young as 5 can venture into the woods to learn through play and exploration under careful supervision. 

There are four different themes that are rotated on a weekly basis to keep things interesting.  All activities include an educational component in alignment with the theme. Learning through play is powerful and fun! 

All students at Into The Woods learn ever-important outdoor survival skills, as well as knowledge about sustainability. Youth can develop leadership skills and confidence through their hands-on learning.

Students can expect age-appropriate guidance and learning activities as their separated into different age groups. Their programs are a great place for your child to learn vital outdoor education as they get a truly authentic Alaskan experience. 

4. Alaska Geographic Youth Expeditions

Alaska Geographic works closely with land protection agencies to organize youth expeditions in Anchorage. 

Trips are for students ages 13-18, with no outdoor experience required. Planned expeditions include backpacking and kayaking all over the state’s national parks. For a full week, teens have the opportunity to disconnect from life and reconnect with nature, surrounded by other kids their age. 

Alaska Geographic works to connect people with Alaska’s many parks and forests. Through education and exploration, they aim to fund sustainability efforts and instill a love for the environment in the young participants.

Students can receive scholarships for their programs, they just need to apply.

5. Scouts BSA Resident Camp

Midnight Sun Council offers youth the opportunity to learn outdoors through their residential programs, day camps, and family camp. As part of the Scouts, children learn to build things, the value of teamwork, and essential life skills.

The Boy Scouts teach them to achieve goals, grow physically and mentally, and cultivate confidence. With two lakes close by, waterfront activities are plentiful. Activities like swimming and sports are some of the many fun things they’ll do while at summer camp.

The programs last around a week, and you can get an early bird discount if you sign children up early. 

6. Camp Fire Alaska

Located on Cooper Landing, Camp Fire Alaska provides an overnight summer camp for boys and girls on hundreds of acres of the Alaskan wilderness. 

The facilities and campus include sports fields, an arts building, and a sauna for kids to warm up.  Each week offers something different for all interests. You can choose the sessions your kid might like the most, with options for sports, arts, and outdoor living. 

Their Summer’s Last Hurrah is one of their shorter sleepaway summer camps that takes place over 4 days. Camp Fire also offers an expedition to Halibut Cover in Kachemak Bay, where coed campers go tent camping, rock climbing, glacier climbing, kayaking, and more. 

Fun games bring the whole camp together, with fun events like capture the flag and GaGa. Each day ends with campers huddling around the campfire and participating in singing, story time, and skits.  

Tuition costs are based on your family’s needs, so they make their programs affordable and accessible for children of all backgrounds. 

7. Kings Lake Camp

The Salvation Army runs kings Lake Camp in Wasilla. You’ll find many summer programs at Kings Lake, with classic-, music-, and teen camps.

Kids can make fun memories outdoors and grow closer to God through their experiences. The camp counselors ensure your child has a good time by creating a friendly atmosphere.

Kids can have a fun-filled week full of arts and crafts, water sports, team sports, and beyond. Whether your child wants to learn a new instrument, earn badges, sit around the campfire with friends, or explore the lake, you can find the right program at Kings Lake Camp. 

If you’re a college student or parent with spare time for volunteering, reach out to them to be able to help out at their summer camps. 

8. Bingle Camp

Founded in 1953, Bingle camp is committed to offering an environment where students can feel supported and continue their spiritual journey. Its location in Fairbanks has a waterfront facility and outdoor areas for kids to explore.

Their 3-day Mini Camp is available for students in grades 1-3, which makes it ideal as a first-time camp. Activities include arts and crafts, swimming, games, Bible study, and exploring the surrounding nature. 

At their one-week Splash Camp, kids spend plenty of time canoeing and swimming, plus some singalongs here and there. 

Adventure Camp starts to bring in more challenging games like archery and rope courses for middle school students. Night Owl is for those looking for a bit more freedom in exploring the outdoors and their relationship with God.