Our program schedule for Summer 2008 is listed below.
Please see individual listings for full information.
Volunteer Work Party at the Hardware Store
May 24-26
The Wrangell Mountains Center invites community members, alumni and other volunteers to join us for a 2-3 day facility and garden workparty. Open to anyone and everyone looking for a good time at the Old Hardware Store.
History of Kennecott and McCarthy
June 5-7
Workshop fee $120 before April 23rd, $165 following.
Optional college credits available
Calling all educators, guides, interpreters and anyone interested in local history. Come learn the exciting and dynamic history of McCarthy and Kennecott from the mining days to the present! Presenters include National Park Service historians and local sourdoughs. Join us for a fun-filled two days!
"Changing Landscapes" - A Natural History Course
June 7-9
Workshop fee $145 before April 23th, $180 following.
Optional college credits available
Glaciers, rivers, volcanoes, landslides and succession! Join us for two days of intensive and interactive field-based learning about these exciting and dynamic processes. This is a course for educators, guides, interpreters or anyone interested in local natural history.
Mountain Arts for Youth
Dates and times TBA
Workshop fees TBA
Youth (and enthusiastic parents) are invited to join a National Park Service Ranger, local artists and naturalists for a series of summer workshops. Kids will explore a variety of cultural and bush arts, while learning about, and making connections to the natural world around them. This program is fun for all ages. Summer 2008 workshop content TBA.
Wrangell Mountain Walks
Monthly, June - September, 2hrs
Workshop fee is free for WMC
members, $10 for non-members.
Membership fee is only $5 on a walk!
Want to know more about the geology of the kennicott Valley, edible plants, insects you see? Come learn more about our incredible Wrangell mountain back yard on these specialty walks given by local expert scientists and naturalists. All experience levels welcome. Walk schedule and topics 2008 TBA!
California State University Wildlands Studies Alaska Program
June 22-August 10
$1995 academic fee, $75 application fee & $1425 expenses
18 quarter units/12 semester units of upper division college credit
Designed for college students, this seven-week intensive, backcountry-based program studies the geological, ecological, and cultural history of the Wrangells while also examining contemporary environmental and, land management issues, including climate change. Camp on a glacier, eat from a garden, learn about landscape in the world's largest outdoor classroom. For more information and a preliminary application, please see our Wildlands Studies Program page.
Glaciers, Grizzlies and Grubstakes
August 23-27
Join Osher Lifelong Learning Institute(OLLI) of University of Alaska Fairbanks, to study the rich natural and cultural history of the McCarthy-Kennicott area. Membership to OLLI is open to adults 50+. Call or email OLLI at (907)474-6607, Ollie@uaf.edu.
Wrangell Mountains Writing Workshop
August 12-18
Program fee $495/person with a $25 early bird discount.
2 college credits available
Join nationally acclaimed poet Sandra Alcosser to revivify your creative process in an intimate Alaskan setting. This week-long intensive features creative nonfiction and poetry craft talks, seminars around workshop theme, field writing exercises, morning writing circles, critique workshops, readings and plenty of opportunity to explore the cultural and natural treasures of the area. Limited to 16 participants.
Arts & Lecture Series
Weekly, June-September, evenings
Come celebrate life in the Wrangell Mountains through a series of arts and science special events held weekly in the Kennicott Valley. Most of our lectures and arts presentations are free to the public and highlight the incredible talent in, and drawn to this small mountain community.
Tall Tales Contest
Date TBA
Bring your best story (preferably a lie!) and join us for this entertaining evening showcasing the creativity and off-beat humor of local residents and visitors. This delightful annual summer fundraiser is co-sponsored by the McCarthy Lodge.
Wrangell Mountains Center Open House
Date TBA
For community members, alumni and friends is a gathering to learn about the latest programs and projects at the Old Hardware Store.