December 22, 2024 - January 8, 2025 (waitlist only)

The evolutionary story of the Galápagos Islands has been told many times, but only through immersing yourself in their splendor can you truly appreciate the impressive forces that shape nature here and around the globe. Embark on the Samba to explore this tropical, volcanic archipelago plentiful in charismatic wildlife, unafraid of you or your camera. The captain and crew of the Samba are devoted to making your journey the trip of a lifetime. Enjoy the biodiversity of the “Enchanted Islands” and the richness of Ecuador’s culture, cuisine, and folklore.

Travel from mangroves in the basin of the Guayas River to the páramo of Cajas above 10,000 feet! Experience the colonial city of Cuenca, the markets and hot springs of the Andes, and the heart of the Amazon Basin. The Amazon Rainforest is home to about 2.5 million insect species, tens of thousands of plants, and some 2,000 birds and mammals. Explore the most diverse jungle in the world, home of the Achuar people, who maintain a remarkable and intimate relationship with nature and its processes.

Program Tuition:
(per person) Double Occupancy	$11,900
Single Supplement	Not available

 

There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.
Full tuition is due by September 30, 2024.

Inclusions: 24/7 tour director/guide, accommodations, ground transportation, in-country air transfers, entry fees, three meals per day, transfer to and from the airport, and gratuities.

Important note:
- Guests must have the ability to walk comfortably for up to 3 miles a day.

If you have traveled with us in recent years, you may already have a CampDoc account. 
If this is your first tour with Summer Sessions, take a look at this "How-To" Document on how to register.

If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to us at summer@alaska.edu or by phone at (907) 474-7021. 

January 5 - January 22, 2025 (waitlist only)

The evolutionary story of the Galápagos Islands has been told many times, but only through immersing yourself in their splendor can you truly appreciate the impressive forces that shape nature here and around the globe. Embark on the Samba to explore this tropical, volcanic archipelago plentiful in charismatic wildlife, unafraid of you or your camera. The captain and crew of the Samba are devoted to making your journey the trip of a lifetime. Enjoy the biodiversity of the “Enchanted Islands” and the richness of Ecuador’s culture, cuisine, and folklore.

Travel to the Andean Cloud Forests and climb to the highest active volcano of the world! You'll experience Old Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a vivid reminder of the colonial times, as well as the markets, hot springs, and natural landscapes of the Andes before traveling to the heart of the Amazon Basin. The Amazon Rainforest is home to about 2.5 million insect species, tens of thousands of plants,and some 2,000 birds and mammals. Explore the most diverse jungle on earth, home of the Achuar people, who maintain a remarkable and intimate relationship with nature and its processes

Program Tuition:
(per person) Double Occupancy	$11,900
Single Supplement	Not available

There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.
Full tuition is due by October 11, 2024.

Inclusions: 24/7 tour director/guide, accommodations, ground transportation, in-country air transfers, entry fees, three meals per day, transfer to and from the airport, and gratuities.

Important note:
- Guests must have the ability to walk comfortably for up to 3 miles a day.

If you have traveled with us in recent years, you may already have a CampDoc account. 
If this is your first tour with Summer Sessions, take a look at this "How-To" Document on how to register.

If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to us at summer@alaska.edu or by phone at (907) 474-7021. 

March 7 - 21, 2025 (waitlist only)

On your Sicily travel adventure, you'll discover an Italian island with more than 3,000 years of history. Once home to a Greek colony, a Roman province, an Arab emirate, a Norman kingdom, and more, traces of ancient conquerors can still be found in Sicily’s well-preserved ruins, elegant architecture, and gastronomic delights. You will go off the beaten path, where you’ll discover authentic cultural experiences with the friendly, fiercely proud Sicilian people that includes zipping along Modica’s narrow streets in an iconic, vintage Fiat 500; spending the night in an agriturismo, a traditional Sicilian farmhouse; and even sitting down to a home-cooked meal with a farming family in the pastoral Sicilian countryside. The island beckons…so bring an open mind, a spirit of adventure, and a hearty appetite.

Program Tuition:
(per person) Double Occupancy	$5,900
Single Supplement	+$750

There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.
Full tuition is due by November 22, 2024.

Inclusions: 24/7 tour director/guide, accommodations, ground transportation, in-country air transfers, entry fees, three meals per day, transfer to and from the airport, and gratuities.

 

Important note:
- Guests must have the ability to walk comfortably for up to 3 miles a day.

If you have traveled with us in recent years, you may already have a CampDoc account. 
If this is your first tour with Summer Sessions, take a look at this "How-To" Document on how to register.

If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to us at summer@alaska.edu or by phone at (907) 474-7021. 

September 15 - 25, 2025 (waitlist only)

A world away yet tantalizingly close, Iceland is a magical island of pure and unspoiled natural beauty. Iceland is a verdant paradise of electric green valleys punctuated by craggy mountains, steaming hot springs, boiling mud pools, and lava fields said to be inhabited by elves. Here, we will meet hardy locals who have historically carved a living from both the land and sea in farming communities and fishing villages, as well as discover the history of this isolated nation preserved in a series of medieval tales known as the Sagas. Their customs and traditions are inspired from centuries of folk tales passed down from generation to generation, and are full of magic, ghosts, elves, and huldufolk (hidden people).

Although shaped by its past, Iceland continues to push the progressive envelope and continuously ranks at the top of better life indexes for its strong quality of life. You’ll get further insight into the lives of these resilient people during A Day in the Life of an Icelandic horse farm where we'll stay overnight. In Akureyri, sit down with a local family for a home-hosted dinner. Later, in the capital city of Reykjavik, witness the creativity of a city that has harnessed the power of nature to provide sustainable energy to its inhabitants when you learn firsthand about geothermal power at the Hellisheidarvirkjun Power Plant. Icelandic culture and traditions combine for an unforgettable adventure in an unspoiled land.

Program Tuition:
(per person) Double Occupancy	$6,795
Single Supplement	+$500

There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.
Full tuition is due by May 24, 2025.

Inclusions: 24/7 tour director/guide, accommodations, ground transportation, in-country air transfers, entry fees, three meals per day, transfer to and from the airport, and gratuities.

Important note:
- Guests must have the ability to walk comfortably for up to 3 miles a day

If you have traveled with us in recent years, you may already have a CampDoc account. 
If this is your first tour with Summer Sessions, take a look at this "How-To" Document on how to register.

If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to us at summer@alaska.edu or by phone at (907) 474-7021. 

January 26 - 30, 2025

Enjoy a 4 day golf clinic in Mesa, Arizona with Fairbanks Golf Club pro, JC Contreras, January 26 - 30, 2025.  You will be playing on the sun-soaked Las Sendas Golf Course and staying at the nearby Home2 Suites by Hilton. Golfer's will arrive on the 26th and instruction will begin on the 27th. Extra room nights are availble upon request.

Includes: 4 mornings (9 - Noon) with full swing and short game instruction Video Analysis and swing review Putting, Chipping, Pitching, Sand Personal improvement drills and practice Development of a consistent pre-shot routine 4 lunches at the Las Sendas Golf Club 4 afternoon playing lessons with your pro (1:30 pm - 3 pm) Unlimited play after the lesson 4 nights lodging at the Home2 Suites by Hilton (double occupancy) 4 breakfasts All Range balls All Greens fees

Tuition includes a room at the Home2 Suites by Hilton (double occupancy) located a 10 minute drive from the Las Sendas Golf Club. Participants are responsible for air and ground transportation as well as dinner.

Program Tuition:
Double Occupancy	$2,695
Single Supplement	+$480

There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.
Full tuition is due by November 15, 2024.

Important note: 
- Guests must have the ability to walk comfortably.

If you have traveled with us in recent years, you may already have a CampDoc account. 
If this is your first tour with Summer Sessions, take a look at this "How-To" Document on how to register.

If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to us at summer@alaska.edu or by phone at (907) 474-7021. 

March 31 - April 5, 2025

Experience beautiful, historic Sitka, Alaska’s first capital city. Stay in the newly renovated dorms on the Sitka Fine Arts campus and immerse yourself in the landscape and culture of this fascinating seaside town. Explore the rainforest, intertidal zone, vibrant cultures, history, wildlife, and more. Enjoy a night at the symphony, workshops, outings, and lectures with local artists, scientists, fishermen, and culture bearers. This trip will include hands-on art experiences: nature journaling, cedar bark weaving, and metalsmithing. No experience is necessary. Enjoy this picturesque city from the land and the water. Be inspired by whales, otters, kelp, cedar trees, Sitka spruce, totem poles, and so much more. If you love to spend time in nature and enjoy trying new things, this program is for you. Participants must be prepared to walk up to three miles a day comfortably and spend time outside in wet weather. A suggested packing list will be provided. The dorm rooms are clean, simple, and comfortable. Single rooms are available for an additional cost. There are several shared bathrooms, and our group will be the only one using the building. We will enjoy our meals in the campus dining hall.

Program Tuition:
(per person) Double Occupancy	$2,650
Single Supplement	+$200

There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.

Inclusions: 24/7 tour director/guide, accommodations, ground transportation, entry fees, three meals per day, transfer to and from the airport, educational programs, and gratuities.

Important note:
- Guests must have the ability to walk comfortably for up to 3 miles a day

If you have traveled with us in recent years, you may already have a CampDoc account. 
If this is your first tour with Summer Sessions, take a look at this "How-To" Document on how to register.

If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to us at summer@alaska.edu or by phone at (907) 474-7021. 

May 28 - June 1, 2025 (waitlist only)

Are you a birding aficionado? If so, a trip to Nome during the spring bird migration may be on your bucket list. Summer Sessions is offering their annual four-day trip to Nome for a small group of eight to witness this amazing phenomenon. Participants stay at the Aurora Inn and travel out one of Nome's three roads each day. Often, birders have seen up to 99 different species!

Program Tuition:
Double Occupancy	$1,800

Tuition includes a room at the Aurora Inn (double occupancy) and transportation within Nome. Participants are responsible for transportation to and from Nome as well as meals.

There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.
Full tuition is due by March 1, 2025.

Important note: 
- Guests must have the ability to walk comfortably.

 

If you have traveled with us in recent years, you may already have a CampDoc account. 
If this is your first tour with Summer Sessions, take a look at this "How-To" Document on how to register.

If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to us at summer@alaska.edu or by phone at (907) 474-7021. 

June 6 - June 13, 2025

Description: With six full days at Toolik Field Station, we will spend most of our time outside sketching, hiking, and learning about the research and science happening at the station. Instruction will include observational sketching exercises, ways to integrate art and science, and basic outdoor skills. Participants will walk away with a simple handmade booklet filled with original ink illustrations. This class is open to all, regardless of prior experiences with art, science, or time spent in the outdoors.

Art + Science Adventure: This class is intended to help us connect deeply with our surroundings through curiosity and immersion. We will practice observational sketching of the land using pencils, charcoal, pen and ink. We will use watercolor and gouache to create color studies, though the class's artistic focus will mainly be experimenting with shape, form, line, and value. We will also brainstorm and discuss ways to build connections between art and science, meet scientists, and tour some of the research projects at Toolik. There will be daily demonstrations, ample time to create, and space to work independently if desired. A recommended supply list will be sent out in March, and we will discuss gear and weather considerations and answer questions at the pre-trip meeting in Fairbanks. The date for orientation will be announced at a later time and a virtual option will be available for those who can't attend in person.

Weather & Physical Requirements: We will mostly work outside while sitting in the tundra, on rocks, or on the boardwalk. Be prepared for the possibility of sketching in light rain and wind. However, if it’s raining hard or snowing, we will make use of a weather port or other indoor areas. Movement is integral to my outdoor art practice, so I am excited to share the Arctic landscape through short 1-2 mile walks on trails near Toolik and one longer 3-6 mile day hike off-trail in the tundra. While at Toolik, you can expect to regularly walk on rough gravel roads, narrow wooden boardwalks, and up and down stairs to access most buildings and outhouses. All outings are entirely optional. 

***If you have questions concerning the physical requirements, please contact Summer Sessions.

The Toolik Field Station (TFS) is a research station operated and managed by the Institute of Arctic Biology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) with cooperative agreement support from the Office of Polar Programs, Directorate for Geosciences at the National Science Foundation (NSF). TFS provides housing, meals, laboratories and science support to researchers and students from across the world. Research support includes GIS and mapping services, technical and IT assistance, shared commonly used equipment, and a collection of standardized environmental data. TFS is located is located at mile 284.5 of the Dalton Highway, 370 miles north of Fairbanks. Driving to the station takes 9-12 hours and requires travel on a largely unpaved industrial artery that serves operations at Prudhoe Bay.

Program tuition: $2,400, includes roundtrip transportation with Northern Alaska Tour Company from Fairbanks to Toolik Field Station, ground transportation while at TFS, lodging, meals, and six days of instruction with the incredible Klara Maisch. Accommodations at the station are comfortable but rustic. Lodging is provided in hard-sided structures and WeatherPort tents. All are outfitted with bed frames and mattresses as well as simple furniture to store clothes. Depending on the camp population, you may share a room with a classmate. Outhouse facilities require walking and stair climbing. Showers are limited to two (very short showers) per person per week. A common shower house serves all of camp - though shower rooms are private. Please explore the TFS website for more information about meals, lodging, and camp life!

There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.

June 13 - June 20, 2025

 

Description: With six full days at Toolik Field Station, we will spend most of our time outside on interpretive walks and hikes and learning about the research and science happening at the station. This adventure centers on discovering more about the land and its inhabitants through sustained attention, observation, and listening. We will learn about birds, plants, insects, permafrost, and anything else that sparks our curiosity. Time will also be dedicated to observational journaling, sketching, and place-based practices. This class is open to all, regardless of prior experiences with science or time spent outdoors.

Science + Sense of Place: This class is designed to connect people with place. There is good potential for experiencing ‘green-up’ in the Arctic and immersing in a swiftly shifting landscape. We will likely see early wildflowers like wooly lousewort, pasque flowers, Lapland rosebay, and bog rosemary. Birds, including Savannah sparrows, Lapland longspurs, yellow-billed loons, Arctic terns, and long-tailed jaggers, will have recently arrived after long migrations. We may also see red fox and caribou on the move and musk-ox if we are lucky! June is also a great time of year to see aufeis and permafrost patterns in the tundra. We will be able to meet scientists and tour some of the research projects at Toolik. There will be daily talks and demonstrations and ample time to wander independently if desired. A recommended supply list will be sent out in March, and we will discuss gear and weather considerations and answer questions at the pre-trip meeting in Fairbanks. The date for orientation will be announced at a later time and a virtual option will be available for those who can't attend in person.

Weather & Physical Requirements: We will spend most of our time outside hiking on and off trail and on uneven terrain. The group will spend time sitting in the tundra, on rocks, or on the boardwalk while watching for birds, during instruction, or assisting with research projects. Please be prepared for the possibility of being outside in rain, snow, and wind. We will go on daily walks of 2-4 miles with at least one longer 4-6 mile hike off trail in the tundra. While at Toolik, you can expect to regularly walk on rough gravel roads, narrow wooden boardwalks, and up and down stairs to access most buildings and outhouses. All outings are entirely optional. 

***If you have questions concerning the physical requirements, please contact Summer Sessions.

The Toolik Field Station (TFS) is a research station operated and managed by the Institute of Arctic Biology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) with cooperative agreement support from the Office of Polar Programs, Directorate for Geosciences at the National Science Foundation (NSF). TFS provides housing, meals, laboratories and science support to researchers and students from across the world. Research support includes GIS and mapping services, technical and IT assistance, shared commonly used equipment, and a collection of standardized environmental data. TFS is located is located at mile 284.5 of the Dalton Highway, 370 miles north of Fairbanks. Driving to the station takes 9-12 hours and requires travel on a largely unpaved industrial artery that serves operations at Prudhoe Bay.

Program tuition: $2,400, includes roundtrip transportation with Northern Alaska Tour Company from Fairbanks to Toolik Field Station, ground transportation while at TFS, lodging, meals, and six days of instruction with the incredible Klara Maisch. Accommodations at the station are comfortable but rustic. Lodging is provided in hard-sided structures and WeatherPort tents. All are outfitted with bed frames and mattresses as well as simple furniture to store clothes. Depending on the camp population, you may share a room with a classmate. Outhouse facilities require walking and stair climbing. Showers are limited to two (very short showers) per person per week. A common shower house serves all of camp - though shower rooms are private. Please explore the TFS website for more information about meals, lodging, and camp life!

There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.

About your instructor:

Important Note:

- Participants will need to comply with the Toolik Field Station COVID-19 mitigation policy

Registration opens November 22, 2024

If you have traveled with us in recent years, you may already have a CampDoc account. 
If this is your first tour with Summer Sessions, take a look at this "How-To" Document on how to register.

If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to us at summer@alaska.edu or by phone at (907) 474-7021.