Exploring the Panhandle, the Tongass National Forest
Summer Program
During the summer months thousands of visitors travel the ferries of Southeast Alaska as part of their vacation to the northern-most state in the union. The Tongass National Forest, in partnership with the Alaska Marine Highway System, has interpreters on board the ships of Southeast Alaska seven days a week from June 1st through Labor Day. Shipboard interpreters staff the state ferries Columbia, Kennicott, Matanuska, Malaspina, and the new high-speed ferry, the Fairweather, for all of their sailings.
Each interpreter offers several programs daily. Most presentations are given in the forward observation lounge where you can view the passing scenery while attending the talk. When you board the ship, look for a daily program schedule posted at prominent locations to see when the next talk will be held. Ship-wide announcements are also made prior to each talk.
The interpreters give presentations about a variety of topics. All the interpreters have their own unique experiences they bring to their talk. You candiscover more about the wildlife, forests, geology, glaciers, marine mammals, people and history of Alaska. Among this variety of topics you will also discover some of those unique trivia facts such as how many Rhode Islands really do fit into the state of Alaska and what are "Alaska tennis shoes." For those game-oriented passengers, we offer the opportunity to join in a game of Alaska Jeopardy, testing your knowledge of Alaska, or perhaps Glacier Bingo may be more to your liking.
Before docking at each community your interpreter talks about the local history and things you might wish to see and do if you get off the ship during its stay in port.
ot only do the interpreters offer a full schedule of daily talks and community introductions but they staff a Forest Service information station in the forward observation lounge.
For your young sailors, if you are traveling with children, we have handouts and activities specially designed for young minds. Ask your shipboard interpreter about these. Be sure to check out the variety of resources available to you.
For your young sailors, we have handouts and activities specifically designed for young minds. Ask your shipboard interpreter about:
- Artists can practice their talents coloring any of the many coloring sheets of Alaska wildlife and scenes (loaner crayons are available).
- Treasure hunters can explore the ship on the "Blue Canoe Scavenger Hunt" to discover eight stars of gold and other special features on board.
- Historically oriented young minds can read about the famous Alaska gold rushes in "All That Glitters," complete with word puzzles, and even find a recipe for that all-time, gold rush stampeder favorite - sourdough hotcakes.
- For those future wildlife biologists, help build an eagle to see what makes an eagle an eagle.
As the ship wends its way through the Inside Passage we encourage you take advantage of this opportunity to discover Southeast Alaska. Our interpretive staff is there to answer your Alaska questions and share their knowledge of Southeast Alaska and the Tongass National Forest. We hope our staff helps make your voyage an unforgettable one.
Winter Program
The Tongass National Forest, in partnership with the University of Alaska Southeast, Skagway Museum, and Sheldon Jackson College, offers a series of Elderhostel trips to Alaska. While on board the ferries our Forest Service interpreters teach classes about a variety of Alaska-related topics. For more information about schedule and content of these trips visit the Elderhostel home page at http://www.elderhostel.org.
Updated April 7, 2004
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