Background
The Sitka Trail Works Youth Program is inspired by the SCORE Program, originally created and run by Woody Widmark, that operated in Sitka for many years. Since 2022, Sitka Trail Works has been offering outdoor programming for youth once again. In 2025 we had robust school year programming at Keet, Blatchley and Pacific High School that led us into a great summer of camps. We partnered with the Sitka Native Education Program, Sitka Conservation Society 4H Alaska Way of Life Project, and Youth Advocates of Sitka to offer 5 camps over 7 weeks, serving youth entering grades 2 through 12. We are incredibly grateful to our partners for making this impact possible and collaborating to fill gaps and stretch the impact for each of our almost 100 students served this summer. Our camps were able to serve 14-30 kids per camp, making the impact felt across the community.
Overarching Youth Program Goals:
- Support cultural education
- Promote community trails and physical activity through outdoor recreation
- Foster a fun and comfortable space for all
Summer Schedule
Sheet’ka Splash Mountain Camp
In partnership with Youth Advocates of Sitka, Sitka Conservation Society, the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association and the Sitka Native Education Program, we offered a two-week camp for youth entering 7th-12th grade that taught key survival skills in and around the water. As an island community, most kids will be exposed to water activities at some point in their lives, if not going on boats with their family, they swim in Swan Lake or play at Sandy Beach on sunny days. A majority of youth don’t have access to learning the necessary skills to survive should an emergency arise when doing these activities. After learning key skills all camp, the whole crew traveled by boat to a remote beach at Point Brown on Kruzof Island to put their skills to the test in a culminating experience. The partnerships allowed us to expand the numbers we served, hosting 20 students over the two weeks.
Hiking Camp
In partnership with the 4H Alaska Way of Life Club through the Sitka Conservation Society and Youth Advocates of Sitka, we hosted a hiking camp with 8-12 year olds. Each day, participants tackled a new local trail and supported each other through physical and mental challenges. We served 14 youth on the trails through this camp this summer!
2nd-5th Culture Camp: Harvesting Focus
Sitka Trail Works provided staff support for the Sitka Native Education Program 2nd-5th culture camp this summer. We served almost 30 youth and had them outside harvesting, processing, and gifting our bounty in the community at the Pioneer Nursing Home. This camp had a focus on Traditional Tribal Values to teach our youth how to live their lives in line with these values. Not only harvesting intentionally but putting good energy into the processing and gifting them to community elders so they could see the whole process through. This camp served 30 youth!
Trail Tales & Muskeg Mosaics
In partnership with Youth Advocates of Sitka, we offered a two-week camp for middle schoolers centered on art and storytelling in nature. Through activities that connect youth to the ample benefits of the outdoors, we grew comfort for youth on local trails. A standout activity was doing a marine debris clean-up with Kristina Tirman from the Ocean Conservancy and getting to make art with our findings! Other highlights include berry harvesting to make smoothies, volunteering at the community garden, and cyanotype printing! This camped served 14 youth this year.
Archery Camp
Finally, after completing a training this spring, we supported the 4H Archery Camp for 9-14 year olds. Our staff led a day teaching youth how to apply their archery skills to an actual hunt, discussing where to aim, how to cut up a deer, and we even made summer sausage together with donated venison! It was our first time working on this camp and it was great to share a new way to get outside with local kids. This camp served 14 youth.
