Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking – 16 and 17 only
A 30-day expedition in Alaska, combining backpacking and sea kayaking for teens.
▌ Editor's read The NOLS website loads as a legitimate program offering. NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) is a well-established nonprofit organization founded in 1965 by Paul Petzoldt, indicating 59 years of operation. The program is an overnight expedition focused on wilderness skills like backpacking and sea kayaking in Alaska, specifically for 16 and 17-year-olds. While not ACA accredited, NOLS is a highly respected organization in outdoor education. The website mentions that NOLS conducts background checks on all employees. Google reviews for NOLS generally show a high rating, with an average of 4.8 stars from over 1,000 reviews, praising the transformative experiences and skilled instructors. Social media handles are @nolsedu on Instagram and nolsedu on Facebook.
Who thrives here Ages 14–18
Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking – 16 and 17 only serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in adventure, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Not verified
- Established
- 1967 (59 years)
- Operator
- Nonprofit organization
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: Adventure
- Ages: 14–18
- Hours: Full Day
- Address: 284 Lincoln Street, Lander, WY 82520, USA
- Phone: (800) 710-6657
- Email: [email protected]
- Cost notes: $8,850 for a 30-day course.
↗ What parents like
- 30-day wilderness expedition
- Backpacking and sea kayaking
↘ Watch for
- Very expensive
- Physically demanding
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: outdoor
Frequently asked about Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking – 16 and 17 only
- What ages does Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking – 16 and 17 only accept?
- Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking – 16 and 17 only is open to children ages 14–18. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- How much does Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking – 16 and 17 only cost?
- Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking – 16 and 17 only publishes $2,065/week for the standard session. $8,850 for a 30-day course. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking – 16 and 17 only's hours?
- Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking – 16 and 17 only runs Full Day. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Who runs Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking – 16 and 17 only?
- Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking – 16 and 17 only is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 59 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking – 16 and 17 only provide lunch?
- Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking – 16 and 17 only does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
- How does Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking – 16 and 17 only compare to other adventure camps in Lander?
- Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking – 16 and 17 only is one of 5 adventure camps in Lander that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking – 16 and 17 only with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Sports summer camps guide · Check coaching style, intensity, safety, and logistics.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Alaska Backpacking and Sea Kayaking – 16 and 17 only.
- Alaska Mountaineering · Ages 14–18 · $2,492/week
- NOLS - Wyoming Backpacking Adventure for Teens 14-15 - 2 Weeks · NOLS · Ages 14–15 · $2,675/week
- NOLS – Teen Wilderness Expeditions · Multiple NOLS locations · Ages 14–17 · $2,675/week
- National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) Teen Expeditions · Various wilderness locations across the US and internationally. · Ages 14–17 · $2,533/week