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"I had to write to thank you for making it possible for Whitney to have the Windsor Mountain experience this summer. Since she's been back ... her confidence is through the roof, she is compassionate, and so much more mature." |
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* DOCUMENTED COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS AWARDED This program is not available in 2008. Bridge California Or call us to discuss options that might be right for you. Encounter the wonder and solitude of America's last frontier. Explore two vast and beautiful areas of Alaska; the Kenai Peninsula and the Pribilof Islands. Get involved, first hand; with local villages in environmental service projects that will help the village preserve this haven for the wide diversity of creatures that inhabit this wonderland. This program is about going beyond self-imposed limits and social boundaries while exploring your potential in a new and supportive environment. Sometimes referred to as the "Galapagos of the North", the Pribilof Islands are a naturalist's paradise. Each summer, the islands host incredible numbers of seabirds and marine mammals, which come to breed and raise their young. There are twelve species of seabirds that nest in the Pribilofs and their numbers are estimated close to 3 million. Nearly 2.5 million of these are found nesting on the spectacular cliffs of St. George Island, making it one of the largest seabird colonies in the northern hemisphere. The islands are also known as the "Seal Islands", as they provide essential breeding habitat to 75% of the world's population of northern fur seal. These incredible seabird colonies and vast seal rookeries provide unparalleled opportunity for wildlife viewing. The Pribilof Islands comprise the largest Aleut community in the world. Visiting other cultures is a hallmark of a Windsor Mountain experience. Spend time with the locals in community projects. Share meals with families and discover what it means to be a teenager on these tiny islands. The program then moves to a vastly different Aleut community in Port Graham on the Kenai Peninsula. This tiny remote village will host you and give you a different view of native Alaskan life. Throughout the project, challenge yourself on some demanding days of hiking, and feel the reward of a cool dip in a mountain stream. Live within a new community of people who will share their culture with you and find ways to give back to your new friends. Challenge yourself to build a working team and share responsibilities, such as meal planning, navigating, and living within a close-knit group. Learn to rely on yourself and the essentials you carry on your back and, in the process, develop confidence and self-reliance.
Orientation: After meeting in Anchorage, your group travels to the Kenai Peninsula to bond and develop the educational goals of the program. Travel along Cook Inlet in the shadow of ice-capped summits toward Homer, the art capital of South Central Alaska. Starting in Anchorage, you and your group celebrate as you venture from community to community focusing on vital resources that have allowed the people to flourish in this area. Bring home-shared insight, friendships and understanding of the environmental challenges they face. Meet with the Environmental Education Coordinator from the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge to set the stage for the magnificent projects you will encounter both on the Kenai and in the Pribilofs. “Magical Mystery Tour” in Homer: Windsor Mountain uses the Magical Mystery tour as a learning tool wherever we travel. An MMT encourages you to explore and discover communities and people around the world through grassroots interactions, reaching out to people to gain an appreciation of who they are and how they live their lives. Visit the Aleut Village of Port Graham: Port Graham is an Aleut fishing village that is inaccessible by road. Travel by boat to the remote community and live with students your age from the local school. Take part in Native Alaskan activities such as dancing, beading, sewing, carving and the like. Work along side the fisherman and spend time with teenagers in their Youth Olympic Games and a community get-together. In the days among their community, you make friendships that will last a lifetime. |
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Project with the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge: The Refuge sponsors a nature camp on St. George Island with the purpose of helping gain a greater awareness and appreciation of local plants, animals and habitat; meet scientists working on the island and become more aware of potential careers. Enhance your awareness of traditional and modern Alaskan Native natural resource use. What Alumni and Parents are Saying: Hathaway was truly in awe of the magnitude of Alaska. She grew from the independent travel and group dynamics." Parents "Jonah experienced many challenges, both interpersonal and physical; he also learned about the give and take necessary for successful group living." Parents “The leaders are so well-trained in leading the group to get along and to tolerate life together. Windsor Mountain exposes the participants to a variety of volunteer experiences and cultures.” Parent "I have not only gained valuable information about Alaska, I feel that I have learned to live with a diverse group. I have learned to compromise and carry my own weight." Comment from final student evaluation. "I gained more confidence in my ability to deal with problems and not have to bring in other people”; "I have learned that teenagers benefit from getting out of their comfort zone and their natural surroundings and be challenged.” Comment from final student evaluation. Program components are subject to change. |
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Copyright © Windsor Mountain International 2008 |
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