An Expedition to the Great Land
WHY NOT SPEND NEXT SUMMER IN THE ALASKAN WILDERNESS?
Calling all fit, healthy, adventurous young people, aged 16 -19 in the summer of 2008. Are you reasonably proficient in the out-of-doors? Are you a fieldwork enthusiast or concerned with environmental matters? Perhaps you have (or potentially have) a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (or equivalent)? Do you want to do something exciting in the long (boring?) summer holiday?
If so, then why not come to Alaska with like-minded others it can be a life-enhancing experience! Alaska is dramatic, huge and challenging. Wonderful scenery is the norm and is everywhere around - mountains, glaciers, vast forests and rushing rivers. Wildlife is special, maybe you will spot Grizzly Bear, Bald Eagle, King Salmon, Porcupine, or Moose (plus Mosquitoes of course!). So there will be much to see and to do …it will not be uneventful!
The expedition will have a preparation phase in Yorkshire as well as training in Alaska, with a challenging three / four weeks in the field, and a final reporting period. Although there will be a basic itinerary and activity menu, which will include fixed points, the expedition as a whole will agree the rest! As far as possible, you will have a major part to play in the planning, for example, deciding exactly where to go, what food to buy, and what activities to undertake. Everything chosen will of course have to be within budget constraints, follow strict safety guidelines, and use the leader team’s experience and qualification.
The expedition will aim to include at least four different activities, for example, hiking and conservation work in an Alaskan State Park, wilderness river rafting, scientific fieldwork and hiking a historic trail in another, glacier walking and lots of backpacking in a third area, maybe also sea kayaking, Canadian canoeing and mountain biking. Incidentally, the expedition will qualify for both the expedition and residential sections of the gold level DoE Award. The expedition will arrive in Anchorage, stay a while in this typical North American city to purchase supplies and to become acclimatised and accustomed to the “Alaskan Way”. ‘Bus and rail transport will be used to get to start points but thereafter foot will be the method of travel in the Wilderness. The expedition will return to Anchorage ready for the long flight home, with new life-long friends and brimful of experiences and memories.
Cost (in the region of) £1950 (inclusive of food / activities / in-country travel / insurance) plus air flight costs (approximately £950).
Tony Whiting, the Chief Leader, has recently organised three large national youth expeditions to Alaska. He plans to leave the UK in late July 2008 with up to 40 young expeditioners and a leader team of eight, and spend three to four adventurous weeks in the field. Tony, a former residential study centre head teacher, is willing to visit your school to talk more about the expedition if there is a potential group of participants of sufficient size; if so please contact the YSES Office. (Adults with enough suitable experience to act as a leader are encouraged to contact Tony via the office).
