For the adventerous youth, here is the best way to see wild Alaska, the Last Frontier! This series of adventurous outdoor courses challenges students in one of the wildest places on earth. Backcountry skills and outdoor education combine for an unparalleled wilderness experience.

Imagine paddling pristine waters amidst a pod of orcas, rafting down Class IV rapids in the Yukon, climbing alpine rock to a lofty summit, or hiking the crest of an alpine ridge with the ocean spread out below. All of these – and more – are part of our specialized youth program.

Your adventure begins in the outdoor mecca of Haines, Alaska – your basecamp for adventure. From there, launch into a series of courses that will defy even your wildest dreams.

Our educational model nurtures leadership development and creates a fun learning environment for students to grow and excel together in the outdoors. Students develop leadership skills used to face challenges and solve problems in unique wilderness environments. The self-confidence and self-reliance garnered from these experiences last a lifetime.

Haines: Haines, Alaska is the basecamp for this trip. Haines is a small community located along the fjords at the top of the Inside Passage. The natural beauty and wilderness access found here are responsible for its reputation as a center for wilderness adventure in Alaska.

Chilkat Range Mountains: The Chilkat Mountain Range is 70 miles long and extend south along the Chilkat Inlet, down the Lynn Canal, and onto Icy Strait. They also serve as the eastern border to Glacier Bay National Park. Known for being a heli-skiing mecca, the Chilkat Range is the impressive back drop to the town of Haines. These mountains have been featured in a many ski films, magazines, and bucket lists.

Coastal Range Mountains: The Coastal Mountain Range extends nearly 1,000 miles from the south of the Yukon, the Alaska panhandle, and down the coast of British Columbia. They create the stunning backdrop to the small town of Skagway, Alaska, just up the Lynn Canal from our adventure base in Haines.

The Lynn Canal Fjord: The Lynn Canal is one of the longest and deepest fjords in N. America. It stretches 90 miles from its northern limit south to Juneau, AK. The venue for this course is adjacent to a UNESCO world heritage site- the largest protected wilderness on the planet. The Lynn canal features a great blend of protected seas and more exposed water that makes it ideal for progressing from basics to more advanced skills. The Lynn canal also features massive tidal range- 20+ ft. This provides opportunities to learn tidal dynamics and to learn the secrets of using the tides to your advantage while paddling. In addition to this, remote river deltas and pristine cobble beaches make for great classrooms, camping, and berry picking.

The Tongass National Forest: The Lynn Canal is largely hemmed in by the lands of the Tongass National Forest - which at 17 million acres is the largest forest in the US. The Tongass is a temperate rainforest- and one of the last intact examples of such an ecosystem on the planet. This forest features towering old growth trees, wolves, bears, blacktail deer, moose, huge runs of salmon, and many rare marine birds. The route of the course also parallels the dramatic Coast Ranges. The Coast Ranges are particularly dramatic- rising more than a mile above the Fjord and studded with waterfalls, glaciers, and snowfields. Camping in the Tongass provides a great opportunity to learn how to safely and ethically call the wilderness home. This course offers an opportunity to hike near the famous Davidson Glacier and its electric blue ice.

Our Instructors: IWLS instructors and guides are highly-trained professionals recognized as some of the best in their field. They have a wealth of experience from guiding throughout Nepal, Alaska, Canada, and the world. They genuinely enjoy sharing their knowledge of the outdoors in the wild places that they love. Their experiences and leadership help our students to have the best possible experience during their course. Students' safety, education, and enjoyment are their primary goals. The International Wilderness Leadership Schools’ educational model nurtures leadership development and creates an awareness of the guiding mentality that is essential for leading safe, fun adventures in the mountains. The combination of technical skills training, experiential education and practical leadership experience make the IWLS curriculum world-class.

Experience Level: No previous experience is necessary for this course.

Course Itinerary (printable PDF)

Day 0: Arrive in Haines. As students arrive into Haines, we will meet everyone at the airport and/or ferry terminal. After dinner we will have a pre-course meeting with the whole group where we talk about expectations, the structure of the course, and go over everyone’s gear to make sure they have what they need.
 
Day 1-3: Sea Kayaking We pack up our kayaks and hit the ocean. We will spend time going over paddling technique and technical kayaking skills. We will spend the next few days exploring the coves, pristine waters, and coastal trails around the Haines Peninsula. The area is full of vibrant flora and fauna - students often spot otters, seals, porpoises, eagles, and whales from the kayaks! We will enjoy evenings at the coastal campsites and campfires in the inter-tidal zone (weather permitting!). The group will return to base camp on the third day to gear up for the next adventure!
 
Day 4: Whitewater Rafting We will drive north into Canada for some whitewater rafting on the Blanchard River. After donning wetsuits and life jackets, our experienced guides will provide instruction on paddling and river safety. After a safety briefing, we will get on the river for a day of adventure! The Blanchard River starts with a series of gentle drops that give paddlers time to practice before the Blanchard converges with the Tatshenshini River. The latter half of the river offers fun rapids and wave trains. At the end of the day, we will return to the base camp in Haines.
 
Day 5-9: Backpacking We will leave base camp in the morning bound for the alpine tundra of Canada! The backpacking along the Chuck Creek Trail affords scouts opportunities to take in the breathtaking scenery. Tall mountains and a vast glacial landscape set the backdrop as we trek through gravelly riverbeds, tundra, and wildflowers. We may hike up nearby peaks that offer great scenic vistas. The group will return to town by 3:00 PM on the final day. We can drop off students to their parents (if parents did not join us for the adventure) anywhere in Haines – lodging, ferry terminal, or airport. Students and their families can plan on departing Haines on Day 9 — departure time should not be scheduled prior to 5:00 PM on the final day of the trip.

• Leadership: We not only exemplify leadership – we teach it and implement it. Students will have opportunities to lead the group through a variety of activities, objectives, and responsibilities.
• Safety and Risk Management: Safety is always our #1 consideration. As the course progresses, students will develop an awareness to appropriately assess risk and make safe decisions in and out of the field.
• Expedition Behavior and Group Dynamics: Because this course is a true wilderness expedition, interactions between group members need to be supportive and contribute to the efficacy of the group. The daily dynamics of the group, combined with guided instruction, will teach students not only how to be a member of a cohesive team, but how to influence and lead an expedition.
• Environmental Ethics: As adventurers in some of the most pristine environments on the planet, it is our duty to respect the natural world. All of our courses practice and teach Leave No Trace® principles.
• Communication Skills: Speaking in public, managing a personal conflict, or leading a group in the wilderness - all of these situations require effective communication. Students will gain confidence in their communication abilities while developing personal leadership styles during this course.

• Course Overview- Printable detailed course overview & itinerary.
• Equipment List - Overview of personal clothing and equipment that you'll need for this course.
• Rental Gear List - List of gear and personal items available for rent
• Registration Form -Outlines policies, and essential information. One required per participant.
• Health Form - This form enables our guides to have accurate health information in the event of an emergency.
• Land Based Activity Waiver - One required per participant. Guests under the age of 18 may go on one form.
• Water Based Activity Waiver - One required per participant. Guests under the age of 18 may go on one form.
• Haines Travel Info - Helpful information on how to get to/from Haines, AK.

What is included in the course price:

• Food & Lodging during the course - We will provide group camping equipment and all meals during the course.
• Transportation during trip - Travel to trail and river access.
• Rafting & Safety Equipment - We will provide rafts, necessary rafting equipment, Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs), and wet suits.
• Sea Kayak & Safety Equipment - We will provide kayaks, paddles, spray skirts, Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs), and wet suits.
• Professional instructors - Our instructors and guides have extensive knowledge of the area, and a passion for backpacking, rafting, and sea kayaking in wild places.

 
Students are responsible for the following:

• Personal clothing & Equipment - Review the equipment list included under "Documents."
• Food & Lodging outside of the course - Students are responsible for food and lodging before and after the course.
• Travel insurance - We recommend travel insurance for all of our programs.
• Airfare - Review the "Travel Information" under "Documents" for more details.
• Reviewing course policies - Please reference our policies page for policies regarding payment, cancellations, refunds and student responsibilities.
• Gratuities.

 
To Book your adventure, follow the steps below:

• Please call to confirm availability at 1-800-766-3396 or fill out an online form to request more information: Request More Info
• Place a deposit of $500 or 25% of trip cost (whichever is less) to reserve your spot: this can be place over the phone by credit card, check in the mail, or through our payment gateway.
• Once you've reserved your spot, you'll receive a welcome packet with all the necessary registration forms and trip information.
• Be sure to submit all trip registration documents at least 45 days prior to your course. This includes information on your arrival/departure, lodging, dietary, and medical information.

 
Feel free to call or email anytime if you have questions about your upcoming trip. Our team is excited to help you prepare for your adventure!