2025 SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR ALASKA NATIVE STUDENTS
Applications are now OPEN! Apply here.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
- NYO Fitness Concepts Credit Recovery Course: July 21st, 2025 - August 1st, 2025 | Thunder Mountain High School for Juneau students entering grades 9-12
- Indigenizing Education for Alaska (IEA)- Future Educators Internship: - May 29th, 2025 - August 1st, 2025 | For students entering grades 11-12+
- STEAM High School Internship: June 12th, 2025 - July 18th, 2025 | Students entering grades 10-12+
- Opening the Box: STEAM Academy - High School: July 21st, 2025 - July 30th, 2025 | Overnight camp at UAS for students entering grades 9-12
- Atnané Day Camp: May 26th, 2025 - June 6th, 2025 (No class on weekends) | Students entering grades 9-12
MIDDLE SCHOOL DAY STUDENTS
- Opening the Box: STEAM Academy - Middle School: June 9th- June 13th, 2025 & June 23rd- June 27th, 2025 | Place-based camps for students entering grades 6-8 in the following communities: Angoon, Hoonah, Juneau, Sitka, and Prince of Wales Island
ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL DAY STUDENTS
- Raven Writes Camp: Half Days, July 7th - July 18th, 2025 | Students entering grades 3-6
- Voices on the Land: Virtual camp: July 7th - July 18th, 2025 | Students entering grades 4-8
- Voices on the Land: In-person camp: July 21st - August 1st, 2025 | In-person at Sayéik Gastineau Community School; Juneau students entering grades 4-8
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NYO FITNESS CONCEPTS CREDIT RECOVERY COURSE
Dates: June 2025 (dates coming soon)
Open for: Juneau students entering grades 9-12
Number of Participants: 20
Credit: Course Credit Toward Graduation: Fitness Concepts (0.5) OR PE Credit Recovery
Detailed schedule: Will be shared with registered participants
Contact: Shari Paul | shari.paul@sealaska.com | (907) 586-9213
Content: Juneau School District in collaboration with Tlingit & Haida and Sealaska Heritage are sponsoring a summer course that teaches students Traditional Games, outdoor adventures and fitness concepts.
During this course, students will engage in activities that practice skills necessary to live healthy, active lives. Students will explore the concept of Haa Latseen (strength of mind, body, and spirit).
The course will explore traditional and healthy ways of living by teaching participants Traditional Games, a collection of events from across the Global North. Historically, the games prepared young adults for living and hunting in extreme conditions. Each game developed skills, strength and endurance needed to hunt seal, navigate in the wilderness, and communicate between communities.
Other: In order to obtain credit students must fully attend or arrange for make-up assignments for any absences.
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INDIGENIZING EDUCATION FOR ALASKA'S FUTURE EDUCATORS INTERNSHIP
(APPLICATION HERE: IFE DRAFT)
Dates: May 29th - August 1st, 2025
Application deadline: April 30th, 2025
Open for: students entering grade 11 through college sophomore
Number of Participants: 12
Detailed schedule: Will be sent to registered participants
Contact: iea@sealaska.com | (907) 586-9264
Schedule:
- June 2nd - June 13th, 2025: Orientation
- June 2nd - August 1st, 2025: Internship Placement
Internship Content: Are you interested in becoming an educator? Want to learn more about working with youth? Then, apply the Future Educators Internship! This is a seven week, full-time paid internship in Juneau, Alaska. Housing is not included.
This opportunity is available to rising high school juniors through rising
college sophomores! Participants will be required to complete a two-week paid intensive UAA college course with an expert in the field. Interns will receive training and experience working with youth as an intern at an array of community camps with support of mentors.
Other: Housing will not be provided. This internship takes place in Juneau, Alaska.
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STEAM HIGH SCHOOL INTERNSHIP
Dates: June 12th - July 18th, 2025
Open for: Angoon, Huna, Wrangell, Kake, Juneau, Sitka, and other communities upon review - high school students and recent high school graduates
Credit: Available for ½ high school elective credit of work experience in select communities
Number of Participants: 18
Detailed schedule: Will be shared with registered participants
Contact: Elle Gray-Smith | elle.gray-smith@sealaska.com | (907) 586- 2128
Internship Content: We are looking for eighteen student interns who are Sophomores, Juniors, or Seniors in high school or recent high school graduates. All high school and recent high school graduate students are encouraged and welcome to apply, but it is important to know that there are age guidelines and there is also a program preference for Alaska Native students in order to increase equitable representation in STEAM fields. Students will be placed at a STEAM company or organization for a 5-week, paid summer internship which can be extended up to an 8-week internship if their projects require a longer commitment, this extension does need to be approved ahead of time. Students can look forward to job shadowing with their internship hosts along with professional development through cohort meetings and cultural activities organized by SHI. You will learn how to be a young professional in a work environment that supports your knowledge and values, exemplifying harmony in your identity along with your possible future careers. To top off this exciting program, you get to work closely with your internship host and SHI staff to create a Capstone project that could be chosen to attend an AISES Conference, all expenses paid.
Other: Credit is available as a ½ high school elective credit of work experience in select communities
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OPENING THE BOX: STEAM ACADEMY - HIGH SCHOOL
Dates: July 21st - July 30th, 2025
Application opens: February 10th, 2025
Application deadline: June 6th, 2025
Open for: Southeast Alaska students entering grades 9-12
Preference Communities: Juneau, Sitka, Hoonah, Angoon, Wrangell, Kake
Credit: 3 credits in college environmental science and ½ high school science credit
Number of Participants: 30
Detailed schedule: Will be sent to registered participants
Contact: Maddie Henson | maddie.henson@sealaska.com | (907) 586-9210
Camp Content: SHI’s popular Opening the Box: STEAM Academy (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) for high schoolers. Our high school camp will focus on traditional ecological knowledge and STEAM career connections. Students can earn high school credit while working alongside Elders and professional researchers to build a deeper connection to the place we call home.This year, we will have a focus on fishing and traditional harvesting!
Instructors: TBD
Schedule: Overnight Camp
What a typical day will look like: Campers will experience what it means to be a STEAM professional by working alongside professional researchers and cultural specialists. We will spend time together in the evening engaging in arts and cultural activities. All meals and transportation provided.
Supplies:
- Students will need overnight supplies and clothing for 10 days (packing list to come). All other camp supplies will be provided.
Other: Students who complete the course will receive dual science credits: 3 credits in college environmental science and ½ high school science credit for satisfactory attendance and participation.
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ATNANÉ DAY CAMP
Dates: May 26th, 2025 - June 6th, 2025 (No class on weekends)
Application opens: March 24th, 2025
Application deadline: May 10th, 2025
Open for: Juneau students entering grades 9-12 and graduating seniors.
Number of Participants: 25
Detailed schedule: Will be sent to registered participants
Contact: Jay Zeller | jay.zeller@sealaska.com | (907) 586-9186
Preference Communities: Juneau
APPLICATION: http://bit.ly/AtnaneCamp-25
Content: Students will learn Northwest Coast art forms Students will also participate in cultural, entrepreneurial, and college preparation activities. Students will learn NWC Formline Design, as well as silver and copper jewelry making.
Schedule: Day camp
Supplies: Course supplies will be provided in each class.
Other key info you need to know: The class will be available for dual credits (0.5 High School Credits + 3 college credits from UAS) to students who wish to pursue college credits. Please know that the college credits will go on your college transcript and could affect future academic and financial aid decisions.
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OPENING THE BOX: STEAM ACADEMY - MIDDLE SCHOOL
Dates: June 9th - June 13th, 2025 & June 23rd - 27th, 2025
Application opens: February 10th, 2025
Application deadline: May 2nd, 2025
Open for: Southeast Alaska students entering grades 6-8
Number of Participants: Dependent on community
Detailed schedule: Will be sent to registered participants
Communities: Juneau, Sitka, Hoonah, Angoon, Prince of Wales Island
Contact: Maddie Henson | maddie.henson@sealaska.com | (907) 586-9210
Camps for June 9th-June 13th, 2025:
- Sitka (10 spots open)
- Hoonah (10 spots open)
- Juneau (12 spots open)
Camps for June 23rd-June 27th, 2025:
- Prince of Wales Island (10 spots open)
- Angoon (10 spots open)
Content: Create, explore, make, and problem solve from home with place-based, culturally relevant STEAM activities and challenges. For 2025, SHI’s popular Opening the Box: STEAM Academy (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math), campers will get to explore halibut hooks and traditional fishing techniques. Students in Southeast entering 6th to 8th grade are welcome to apply for this 5-day camp full of team building, cultural experiences, and fun outdoor challenges. Spots are dependent on the specific community.
Instructors: TBD
Schedule: Day Camp
What a typical day will look like: This year’s camp is based around halibut hooks and fishing! Campers will spend their day participating in outdoor adventures, learning about subsistence harvesting, and engaging in interactive STEAM lessons, games, art, and cultural activities.
Supplies:
- Supplies will be provided, but students should bring what they would need for a typical day like a water bottle, jacket, etc.
Equipment needs: No equipment needed.
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RAVEN WRITES CAMP
Morning Session, 9am-12pm (Grades 3-4)
Dates: July 7th, 2025 - July 18th, 2025
Application opens: February 17th, 2025
Application deadline: May 31st, 2025
Open for: Juneau students entering grades 3-4
Number of Participants: 20
Detailed schedule: Available upon request
Contact: Terra Stark | terras@serrc.org | (907) 433-7256
Afternoon Session, 1-4pm (grades 5-6)
Dates: July 7th, 2025 - July 18th, 2025
Application opens: February 17th, 2025
Application deadline: May 31st, 2025
Open for: Juneau students entering grades 5-6
Number of Participants: 20
Detailed schedule: Available upon request
Contact: Terra Stark | terras@serrc.org | (907) 433-7256
Content: Join us for storytelling, harvesting, preparing, and learning through experience. In this camp, students will explore their cultural traditions through local food harvesting activities. Students will be encouraged and inspired by their authentic experiences and guided to write about these experiences. Families are invited to see, hear, and celebrate their learning at the end of each session. Camp activities will also include Tlingit dancing, singing, and drumming, as well as art, games, community building, and lots of outside time!
Schedule: Grades 3-4 will participate in the morning session. Grades 5-6 will participate in the afternoon session.
Supplies: No supplies are needed. Food will be provided, but students are welcome to bring their own snack and/or lunch if they choose.
Equipment needs: No equipment needed.
Raven Writes Camps are offered in partnership with SERRC
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VOICES ON THE LAND: INTEGRATING ARTS INTENSIVE
VIRTUAL
Dates: July 7th - July 18th, 2025 (Virtual)
Application opens: February 10th, 2025
Remote Participants: 20
Preference Communities for Virtual Camp: Yakutat, Ketchikan, Klawock, and Craig
Open for: Southeast Alaska students entering grades 4-8.
Contact: Danielle Hass | danielle.hass@sealaska.com | (907) 586-9262
IN-PERSON
Dates: July 21st - August 1st, 2025 (In-person location TBD)
Application opens: February 10th, 2025
Application deadline: May 1st, 2025
In-Person Participants: Camp is open to 30 Juneau Based Students
Open for: Juneau students entering grades 4-8. Transportation will be available.
Contact: Danielle Hass | danielle.hass@sealaska.com | (907) 586-9262
Content: Learn about traditional Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian art and our stories of the land and our people. This camp is an engaging mix of hands-on activities, peer connections, cultural experiences, with some independent activities to do from home for the remote participants.
Instructors: TBA
Schedule: Available upon request
What a typical day will look like:
Opening/Closing sessions daily will be in a large group and include sharing and learning language and cultural songs.
Supplies:
- In-person participants will have access to all necessary supplies. Program devices (iPads) will be available for participants to use for the duration of the project.
- Remote only participants will receive a camp package delivered to your home that will include all materials, devices, and supplies needed to participate. Access to the internet is necessary for participation. The use of a separate device for Zoom will be helpful but not required.
Equipment needs: Equipment will be provided for in-person and remote, but remote families will need an internet connection.
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