2025 SUMMER PROGRAMS
Click the link for Program Schedule and details. Please stay tuned as we continually update our program schedule.
Workshops
Field Sketching Weekend Workshop with Kristin Link: August 16 & 17 (optional add on day- August 18)
Kristin Link leads a weekend workshop with the option of a Glacier Hike on the 3rd day.
Residency
Meg Hunt Artist in Residence: This is one of our most beloved art programs, a two-week artist residency program, an immersive creative experience in North America’s largest National Park. The Wrangell Mountains Residency Program aims to support artists of all genres, writers, and inquiring minds. We invite applicants with creative and inquisitive minds who will both add to and benefit from the interdisciplinary efforts at our community hub in McCarthy, Alaska and the surrounding Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. In 2025 we will host two artists from: June 12-26.
Youth Programming
Geology Camp (Youth) - July 22-25
The WMC partners with WISE (Wrangell Institute for Science and Environment) to host this unique, immersive program for youth ages 12-16. Participants hear from geologists and naturalists, camp next to the Root Glacier, explore the glacier, and have plenty of time to connect with their peers. Space is limited so please contact sabrina@wrangells.org if you have interest in signing up your child.
Community Events
Workday Party - May 24, 9am - 4pm
Kick off your Memorial Day Weekend with WMC friends and show the Old Hardware Store some love. All skill levels welcome! Bring gloves (if you have ‘em), water bottle, and a smile. We’ll provide lunch and a gaggle of your WMC friends.
Spring Bird Walk with Mark Vail - May 25 @ 8 AM
We continue the annual tradition of walking with Mark Vail as he brings to life the fascinating social world of the summer birds who live in the Wrangell Mountains. Meet in front of the Old Hardware Store. The walk will leave promptly at 8am. Coffee, tea and snacks will be served. $10 suggested donation.
Bluegrass Jam! - Tuesday, June 10th, 17th and 24th @ 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Come on down to an informal and weekly musical jam led by Allgood Family Band. Bluegrass-inspired but open to any style! Bring your instruments, songbooks and voices! All musical skill levels welcome. Meet in the Porphyry Place cabin on the WMC Campus, Tuesdays at 7 pm. Please note that for the moment, this event will only be taking place in June; stay tuned for July and August updates.
Kenn Community Yoga - Wednesday, June 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th @ 6:15 PM - 7:30 PM
Community Yoga classes on Wednesday evenings in the Kennecott Rec Hall, led by Katy Etterman and Meghan Seifert. $10-15 suggested donation, cash only please. All levels welcome. Mats and any additional equipment will be provided. Please note that for the moment, these classes will only be taking place in June; stay tuned for July and August updates.
“Rocks and Ice” Geology Presentation with Mike Loso - June 5th @ 7:30 PM
A part of our Summer Arts & Lecture Series: Join Mike Loso, Wrangell St-Elias National Park Service Geologist, for an overview of the geologic history of the Kennicott Valley and an update on latest findings about the Kennicott Glacier. His talk is open to the public, and is aimed towards guides, interpreters, pilots, NPS staff, and others interested in learning more about local area geology and sharing it with friends and visitors. The presentation will be held at the Kennecott Recreation Hall.
MXY Community Yoga - June 8th, 15th, 29th @ 6:00 PM
Community Yoga classes on Sunday evenings in Porphyry Place, led by Stephanie Sever. $10-15 suggested donation, cash only please. All levels welcome. Mats and any additional equipment will be provided. Please note that for the moment, these classes will only be taking place in June; stay tuned for July and August updates.
Between Latitudes: A Conversation & Reading with Michelle Latvala - June 19 @ 7pm
Celebrate our local author Michelle Latvala's first book, Between Latitudes, published this spring by Green Writers Press. Michelle will give a reading and be joined by Sabrina Simon in conversation about the book's themes that arose out of our shared landscape. Followed by Q&A and book signing. You can also purchase the book in advance!
Held in Porphyry Place cabin on the WMC Campus. By donation and open to all.
“Origin Stories”: A Living Room Series - June 27th @ 7 pm, July 17th @ 7 pm, August date TBA
This three-part series will share the personal origin stories of featured guests, creating space for broader conversations about identity, belonging, and place. By reflecting on where we come from—and why it matters—this series will be a powerful way to build connection and deepen our understanding of the Copper River Basin as a place of both shared history as well as a deeply personal landscape. Cozy up in our Porphyry Place cabin for a historic, informal story time as we hear what it means to them to be a native Alaskan, followed by time for open discussion and Q&A.
On June 27th, we will host long-time local, Steve Edwards! This three-part series will share the personal origin stories of featured guests, creating space for broader conversations about identity, belonging, and place. By reflecting on where we come from—and why it matters—this series will be a powerful way to build connection and deepen our understanding of the Copper River Basin as a place of both shared history as well as a deeply personal landscape. This month, our featured guest is long-time local, Steve Edwards! Seven decades ago, Jim Edwards discovered a place to call home in McCarthy. Jim's original slideshow, presented by Jim's son Stephen Edwards, is a window into his life as a homesteader, surveyor and father from the 1950's to the 2000's.
On July 17th, we will host Wilson Justin. Born in Nabesna, Alaska, Wilson is an Athabascan leader and a lifelong advocate for Tribal health, environmental justice, and cultural preservation. He has helped build foundational programs like IGAP and brought Indigenous voices to the forefront of climate change and public policy discussions.
August details to be announced soon!
Artist in Residence Community Engagement - June 21st @1pm
Investigations of Place: A Sound and Writing Workshop
Join our Artists in Residence, writer Allen Braden and visual/sound artist Perri Lynch Howard, for their collaborative community engagement. Allen and Perri will open the event with a presentation on their personal projects and artistic works. We will then head out for a silent sound walk. Perri and Allen will provide us with guidance on how to listen more deeply to the sounds of place with curiosity and nonjudgement. We will then return to the OHWS to write poetic postcards inspired by the art of listening to place. All supplies provided. Suggested donation: $10-$15.
Meet in the Old Hardware Store on the WMC Campus on June 21st at 1 pm.
Word Jams - June 22, July 13, August 3 @ 7-9pm
Only THREE Word Jams this year, so mark your calendars! Join us in the Great Room at the Old Hardware Store for a night of open mic - WMC style - storytelling, poetry, song, comedy, skits, and any creative venture involving words. Come hungry! We will serve finger-style dinner by donation before the event. Stay tuned for our menus.
Interdependence Day Pancake Fundraiser - July 4, 8am-11am
Come on out to the Old Hardware store for an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast! In collaboration with the McCarthy-Kennecott Museum. All proceeds benefit the Wrangell Mountains Center and the Museum. Thanks for your support!
Stories of Our Landscape - Dates TBA
A part of our Summer Arts & Lecture Series: Last year we hosted a two-day weekend artist exhibit and community event, where participants engaged with the inspirational, cultural, and foundational relationships to place in the Wrangell Mountains through community discussion, and presentations in the arts and sciences.
Stay tuned for this year’s event details and dates!
Wrangell Mountains Storytelling Festival - August 9 & 10
This charmed, grassroots event is held at The Old Hardware Store and the Glacier View campground on McCarthy’s west side, where local storytellers congregate to spin yarns, share lies and half-truths as well as tell honest-to-god true and incredible stories leaving the audience never quite clear on whether they have heard a true story or a tall tale. This event is the talk of the town every summer.
Half Marathon and 5 Mile Run - Sunday, August 31 @ 12pm
A race unlike any other through the largest National Park in America. Race starts at McCarthy River Tours & Outfitters (aka As The Glacier Melts Coffee & Ice Cream Shop) on the West Side (Mile 59 of the McCarthy Road). The route goes up to Kennecott National Historic Landmark and back down to historic, downtown McCarthy and follows gravel, dirt roads and packed dirt trails. $30 per person registration; $15 under 16. Proceeds benefit the WMC. Register online or at the starting line. Race starts at noon; registration opens at 11 am.
Academic Programming
The Wrangell Mountains Field Studies Program is now partnered with the University of Maine School of Earth Sciences. Together we offer a 7 week and 6 credit course to students from all over the world. Students will spend a total of 3 weeks on our campus and 4 weeks in the backcountry, led by instructors Kristin Link, and UMaine PhD student, Joey Boots-Ebenfield. The program will offer a public presentation on our campus towards the end of the course. The program runs from June 22 - August 10.
Podcast & Virtual Events
End of The Road Podcast: We explore the unique stories that shape our lives, out here in the remote Wrangell Mountains. Listen to Season 4, out now!
Check out past programs:
For more information, please email admin@wrangells.org or call 907-554-1500
Photo by Paul Scannell