Summer Camps
Summer camps are the opportunity of a lifetime for students to experience college campus life, make new friends, explore interesting career fields, and to be immersed in the Iñupiaq culture! Summer camps are free for attendees and, in most cases, travel is paid for students who are outside Utqiaġvik.
OVERNIGHT CAMPS
Overnight camps give students the opportunity to stay in the Iḷisaġvik College residence halls for the duration of the camp. High School overnight camps are open to campers from all over Alaska; Middle School overnight camps are limited to campers from Utqiaġvik.
DAY CAMPS
Day camps are open only to Utqiaġvik residents. Camp will be held in the morning and afternoon, with campers returning home after class.
2026 Summer camps:
Iḷisaġvik College is gearing up for our 2026 Summer Camps and applications are OPEN! Use the link to apply and take a look below at what camps we will be offering this summer.
High School/Adult/College Camps:
INU 210
Coordinator: Jerica Leavitt
Dates: Sunday, May 31 - Monday, June 8th (One Week - Overnight)
Age: Adult/College
Capacity: 10-15
Description: Coming soon
Dog Mushing Camp (Barrow Residents Only)
Coordinator: Alex Dattillo
Dates: Sunday, May 30 to Saturday , June 6th, 2026 (One Week - Day Camp)
Age: High School
Capacity: 8-15
Description: Experience Alaska’s iconic tradition of mushing in this hands-on camp focused on
working with Alaskan huskies. Students learn how to care for dogs, including feeding,
training, and basic first aid. Participants also practice running dogs using carts
and develop skills in teamwork, responsibility, and outdoor transportation. This camp
is perfect for youth interested in animals, outdoor recreation, and traditional Arctic
lifestyles.
ARCTIC STEM College (NREL)
Coordinator: Chan Charoonsophonsak
Dates: Sunday, June 7th to Saturday June 13, 2026 (One Week - Overnight)
Age: Iḷisaġvik College Students
Capacity: 5
Description: Coming Soon
NSB Cultural Resilience and Leadership Camp
Coordinator: Rachel Aumavae
Date: Sunday, June 7th - Saturday, June 13th (One Week, Overnight)
Age: High School
Description: This five-day Summer Camp is a culturally based program focused on youth leadership,
wellness, and personal growth. The camp helps students build confidence, resilience,
and readiness for future school and career opportunities. Each day centers on a theme—identity,
culture and language, wellness, leadership, and community action—guided by Iñupiaq
values and elder knowledge.
Students take part in hands-on activities such as the Alaska Blanket Exercise, Iñupiaq
language and cultural arts, wellness workshops, leadership training, and conversations
with local professionals. The camp ends with a celebration feast, goal setting, and
a closing ceremony.
The camp supports Iḷisaġvik College’s mission by strengthening cultural identity,
leadership skills, wellness, and academic preparation. It serves as a pre-college
experience that helps youth connect to their culture, community, and future opportunities
on the North Slope.
Bridge Program
Coordinator: Kristen Majocha, Dean of Student Services
Date: Sunday, August 2 - Saturday, August 15th (Two Weeks - Overnight)
Age: In-coming College Freshman
Description: New college freshman or transfer student? Join us for two weeks in Utqiagvik to
get geared up and prepared for the best first semester. This is open to residential
students, and online students. Spend time with staff, meet the faculty, and take advantage
of getting a foundational refresher on Math, English, and Science. Participants will
also engage in bonfires, movie nights, and in town activities with their fellow incoming
classmates.
Drivers Education
Coordinators: Ben Glover & Victoria Codaman
Dates:
Session 1: Sunday, June 14th - June 20, 2026 (One Week - Overnight)
Session 2: Sunday , June 21st - June 27, 2026 (One Week - Overnight)
Age: High School
Capacity: 6/Session
Description: Do you need a driver’s license? Choose to attend one of our driver’s education camps
for behind-the-wheel experience that will help you obtain your drivers license in
one week, and give you the confidence you need to drive safely. Students must have
a valid drivers permit to participate in this camp, and prepare to bring personal
documents required for filing for a driver’s license.
NSB Backpacking Exploration (North Slope Residents Only)
Coordinator: Sam Newbury
Dates:
Session 1: July 4th - July 23rd (2 Weeks - Overnight)
Session 2: July 25th - August 1st (2 Weeks - Overnight)
Age: High School/Adult/College
Description: We are pleased to announce an upcoming opportunity for North Slope youth to participate
in a backpack expedition this July in the Anaktuvuk Pass area. The expedition will
focus on teamwork, furthering youth connection to the land, communication, leadership,
wellness and fun! For a second year, the expedition has been made possible through
a collaboration between the North Slope Borough Health Department and NOLS, a nonprofit
educational organization that has been facilitating expeditions in remote Alaska for
50 years. NOLS will provide the equipment, enrollment, highly trained instructors,
permits, emergency communication and logistics for the expedition. All expenses for
participants, including round trip travel from your home community to Utqiaġvik, will
be paid by the North Slope Borough.
The expedition will include hiking several miles most days, often with backpacks weighing 35-55 pounds, camping, cooking, navigating, fishing, group decision making, reflecting in beautiful landscapes, and handling whatever challenges Mother Nature gives us. No previous camping experience is needed. A willingness to work as a team and an ability to follow instructions for safety are necessary. This is not a survival trip, a boot camp or a detox program. There will be no drugs, no weapons and no personal phones on the expedition. This will be an opportunity to embrace challenge with highly trained mentorship, to get away from the screens and to develop meaningful skills for life while being part of a positive team culture.
Applications for this camp are due March 30th for first round consideration. Applications received before April 30th may be considered if there is still space.
This class registration is via this link: North Slope Leadership Expedition
Wilderness Survival Camp - SAFE 128 (Allied Health)
Coordinator: Alex Dattillo
Dates: Sunday, June 21st to Saturday, June 27, 2026 (One Week - Overnight)
Age: High School
Capacity: 15
Description: Combine outdoor adventure with lifesaving skills in this unique allied health camp.
Students enjoy kayaking, biking, camping, and shelter building while also learning
essential first aid techniques. Classroom instruction focuses on CPR, AED, and Wilderness
First Aid certification. The camp includes an overnight camping experience near Nunavak
Bay, giving participants real-world practice in safety, preparedness, teamwork & other
valuable skills for future health careers and outdoor leadership.
Middle School/Elementary School Camps:
ARCTIC STEM Middle School (NREL)
Coordinator: Chanachai Charoonsophonsak
Dates: Saturday, June 14th to Saturday, June 20th (Two Weeks - Overnight)
Age: Middle School
Capacity: 15
Description: Coming Soon
Coastal Hazard Preparedness
Coordinator: Yvonne Biswokarma
Date: Sunday, July 5th to Saturday, July 11th, 2026 (One Week - Overnight)
Age: Middle School
Description: Middle school students become Arctic scientists and problem-solvers in this week-long
STEM camp focused on protecting coastal communities. Participants explore real issues
such as erosion, permafrost thaw, and harmful algal blooms through fieldwork, experiments,
mapping, and creative projects. Blending science with traditional knowledge, students
design solutions for shoreline protection and create storytelling and art projects
to educate their community. This camp builds leadership, environmental awareness,
and resilience while connecting learning directly to life on the North Slope.
STEM Exploration Camp
Coordinator: Diana Solenberger
Date: Monday, July 13th to , Friday, July 17th, 2026 (One Week - Day Camp)
Age: Elementary
Description: Led by Diana Solenberger, local elementary students K-5, in Utqiaġvik are invited
to participate in a week-long day camp held at Tuzzy Library. Campers will engage
in STEM activities that introduce them to the world of science and technology through
fun experiments and games!
INU Arctic Plants
Coordinator: Bob Rabin
Date: Sunday, July 19th to Saturday, July 25, 2026 (One Week - Day Camp)
Age: Middle School
Description: Explore the science and tradition of Arctic gardening in this hands-on camp that
blends art, culture, and environmental learning. Students will grow their own edible
plants, learn about weather and water systems, and discover the importance of food
sovereignty. Participants will document plant growth using the SIKU Indigenous Knowledge
App and create their own monitoring tools. Lessons highlight Iñupiaq knowledge of
the connection between plants, climate, and the land, making this camp a perfect blend
of culture and science.
Questions about our Summer Camps Program?
Contact: kahelelani.moli@ilisagvik.edu or call: 907-852-1792