Alaska: Midnight Sun

Trip Name
Alaska: Midnight Sun

Who It's For
High school students (grades 9–12)

2026 Sessions
Session 2: July 2 – July 15, 2026
Session 3: July 19 – August 1, 2026
Note: These dates reflect your teen’s departure and return. Exact flight times and meeting details will be shared after enrollment.

Location
Anchorage & Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Trip Length
14 Days

Service Hours
15–25

Tuition
$6,495

This is the plan—but plans can shift. Weather, group energy, and new opportunities sometimes lead us to make changes. No two trips are exactly the same, and that’s part of what makes the experience so memorable.

Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage
We meet up in Anchorage and settle in as a group. In the evening, we head to Glen Alps for a panoramic view over the Anchorage area and surrounding wilderness.

Day 2: Alaska Native Heritage Center & Bike the Coastal Trail
We visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center for a private tour of six full-scale Native dwellings around Lake Tiulana. A local Culture Bearer shares stories and traditional lifeways. In the afternoon, we bike the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, keeping our eyes out for moose, bald eagles, and other wildlife.

Day 3: Hike Anchorage’s Surrounding Trails
We spend the day hiking local trails outside Anchorage. With dramatic landscapes and the chance to spot wildlife, this day is all about getting into the rhythm of the land.

Day 4: Whitewater Raft the Matanuska River
We raft the Lion’s Head section of the Matanuska River, taking on Class III and IV rapids through stunning backcountry. This thrilling ride offers the chance to see bald eagles, moose, and even bears along the way.

Day 5: Sea Kayak in Prince William Sound
We travel to Whittier—accessible only through a one-way tunnel—and set off on a kayaking tour of Prince William Sound. We paddle past rock formations and waterfalls in one of Alaska’s most scenic areas.

Day 6: Explore Kenai by Land & Sea
We hike through Caines Head State Recreation Area for sweeping views of the Kenai Peninsula and coastal Seward. In the afternoon, we explore Kenai National Park by boat, where we might see humpback whales, puffins, sea otters, and glaciers up close.

Day 7: Hike Exit Glacier
We hike to Exit Glacier, a striking remnant of the Harding Icefield. It’s a powerful place to learn about glacial melt and the effects of climate change in real time.

Day 8: Transfer to Homer, AK
We travel south to Homer and prepare for the next chapter of our adventure.

Days 9–12: Environmental Service Projects
We work with local leaders from the Peterson Bay Field Station on environmental restoration and education-based projects. Alongside our service work, we hike through coastal forests, learn about local ecology, and explore cultural traditions connected to the land and sea.

Day 13: Anchorage Wrap-Up & Final Banquet
Back in Anchorage, we reflect on the trip, explore the city, and wrap up our adventure with an RLT banquet and sunset viewing at Beluga Point.

Day 14: Homeward Bound
We say our goodbyes and fly home from Anchorage—carrying with us the scale, beauty, and impact of our time in Alaska.

We’ll stay in a mix of rustic campsites, cozy yurts, and a shared group house during our time in Alaska.

Group Tents: Teens camp in shared tents (2–3 per tent), organized by gender identity, during the camping portions of the trip.

Rustic Facilities: Campsites and yurts have basic amenities, with access to bathrooms and showers every 1–2 days.

Setup & Breakdown: Everyone pitches in—setting up tents, cooking meals, and keeping shared spaces clean. It’s all part of the experience.

What to Expect: Sleeping under the stars, hearing the rustle of trees and wildlife at night, and waking up to the glow of the midnight sun.

All meals are cooked together in rotating groups using camp stoves and simple setups.

Cook Crew – Each day, a few teens team up to plan, prep, cook, and clean. Leaders offer guidance, but it’s teen-led.

Simple + Fresh – Think hearty, easy-to-make meals like burrito bowls, pancakes, pasta, veggie stir-fry, and trail lunches with wraps and fruit.

All Diets Welcome – We accommodate all allergies and dietary needs (vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, etc.).

Snacks + Hydration – We take frequent breaks with plenty of water, fruit, bars, and salty snacks—especially on active days.

Flights
Families book flights to and from Anchorage, Alaska (ANC).
Do not book your flight until you receive the required travel windows from our team.

Escorted Flight Option
An optional group flight with an RLT leader is available from the New York area.

Unaccompanied Minor Info
If your teen is flying as an unaccompanied minor, we’ll provide all necessary check-in and pick-up details.

Packing
You’ll receive a full packing list after enrollment—everything fits in a duffel or hiking backpack.

Key items include:
• Sleeping bag + sleeping pad
• Waterproof jacket
• Headlamp
• Sturdy hiking shoes
• Warm layers

No special gear needed beyond the basics—just come ready to be outdoors.

Luggage Note
We recommend one checked bag and a small carry-on backpack.

Forms & Waivers
Once enrolled, you'll get access to your RLT portal with required forms:

Health history and medical forms

Participant agreement and waiver

Emergency contact info

These must be submitted before your trip.

Medical Clearance
No doctor’s appointment needed unless your teen has a new or complex medical condition.
We review all forms to make sure we’re prepared to support each participant.

Medications
All medications—prescription and over-the-counter—must be listed in your medical form.
Leaders manage and dispense meds as needed throughout the trip.

Behavioral Expectations
We’ll send a Code of Conduct to review with your teen.
It helps set the tone for a safe, inclusive, and supportive group experience.

Trip Insurance
Not required for domestic trips, but strongly encouraged.
You're welcome to use any third-party provider. Visit our FAQ or reach out for recommendations.

Vaccinations
No specific vaccinations required for domestic trips.
Please ensure your teen is up to date on routine immunizations per CDC guidelines.

Passport
Not needed for this program.

Device-Free Philosophy
Our trips are intentionally phone-free. On Day 1, leaders collect all phones and personal electronics. They’re stored safely and returned at the end of the trip.

Why?
Because disconnecting helps teens build deeper relationships, be present in their surroundings, and gain confidence without constant tech.

Cameras Welcome
Teens are welcome to bring a digital camera or GoPro—anything that doesn’t connect to the internet. Trip leaders also take photos and share them in an online gallery after the program.

Communication
We’ll be in touch with families during the trip through regular updates. If there’s an emergency, our on-call team is available 24/7.