Students and adults learn about traditional skills and the production of local foods at this summer’s camp organized by the Arctic Refuge.

The 8^th Annual Alaska Native Traditional Knowledge and Western Science Camp took place in August on Dachanlee Mountain near remote Arctic Village that borders Arctic National Wildlife Refuge 300 miles north of Fairbanks.  Forty students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, and 30 other village residents participated in the three-day outdoor camp funded through Challenge Cost Share.

On the first day, local elders demonstrated traditional survival skills including trapping techniques, techniques for building fires; and how to cook subsistence foods.  Throughout the day, elders encouraged students to finish school but also to practice traditional ways of the tribe. The day ended with an evening potlatch, drumming, music, joy and laughter.

This year, the science part of the camp included a  new emphasis on growing, gathering and preserving local foods.  Three volunteers from the Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges joined an agriculture and horticulture specialist to introduce students to worm composting and other garden-related activities.  Despite challenges of gardening north of the Arctic Circle, village students were eager to put their new skills into practice.  Teachers, students and elders enjoyed this year’s expanded camp, and are already looking forward to next summer's camp.