NORTHERN LIGHTS YOUTH EXPEDITION 2026

Northern Lights Youth Expedition is ideal for young leaders eager to explore the Alaska wilderness expedition. This youth leadership program is designed for those who are curious, adaptable, and ready to engage in group responsibilities within a remote environment. While prior outdoor skills training is not mandatory, a willingness to try new things, adhere to safety guidelines, and collaborate as part of a team is crucial.

The Northern Lights Youth Expedition is a 10-day, 9-night youth leadership program designed for young leaders ages 13-17, intentionally limited to a maximum of 12 participants per session. This immersive experience takes place in the Alaska wilderness at an off-grid lodge in Skwentna, providing access by bush plane. The program includes lodging, all meals, and outdoor skills training through scheduled activities. The small group size fosters meaningful mentorship, strong group cohesion, and a safe, transformative experience in a remote setting.

The program is intentionally structured to help participants acclimate to the Alaska wilderness expedition environment, build outdoor skills training, and trust, apply what they’ve learned during the expedition phase, and then reflect on their experience before returning home. This progression allows individuals to grow steadily without feeling rushed or overwhelmed, while benefiting from instruction by both lodge staff and experienced guest educators.

Throughout the program, young leaders will take part in a cultural deep-dive experience and helps weave Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into daily activities, as well as a professional Learn to Return–certified instructor, who provides formal training focused on outdoor ethics, environmental stewardship, and responsible backcountry practices.

The overall flow of the program includes:

- Arrival, orientation, and acclimation to the lodge and surrounding environment

- Skill-building and youth leadership program development guided by lodge staff, with daily cultural tie-ins

- A full day of Learn to Return training led by a certified instructor

- A 2-day, 1-night backpacking expedition where participants apply newly developed skills

- Reflection, integration, and program closure

Travel is a meaningful part of the Northern Lights Youth Expedition experience, which focuses on youth leadership and outdoor skills training in the stunning Alaska wilderness. Students arrive in Anchorage, Alaska, where ground transportation to Willow is provided as part of the program. From Willow, the group embarks on an exciting journey by bush plane to Skwentna, offering a firsthand introduction to Alaska’s remote landscapes and setting the tone for the adventure ahead. All travel during the program is supervised, ensuring that participants remain under staff care from arrival through departure.

For families traveling from outside Alaska, participants are encouraged to arrive a day prior to the scheduled bush plane travel to Skwentna. This allows time to buffer against airline delays and supports a smooth transition into the Alaska wilderness expedition. Additional details regarding early arrival and supervision will be shared with accepted families during the pre-experience onboarding phase.

The Northern Lights Youth Expedition, an enriching youth leadership program, is intentionally limited to a maximum of 12 participants per session. With three adult supervisors throughout the program, this small group size facilitates personalized attention and fosters strong relationships while ensuring attentive supervision in the Alaska wilderness expedition. This environment is ideal for developing outdoor skills training and leadership qualities.

• Qualify for future alumni-only programming, including a 10-day Alaska wilderness expedition offered in subsequent summers. 
• Complete outdoor skills training through the Learn to Return program, which focuses on wilderness awareness, decision-making, and self-reliance. 
• Develop stronger leadership skills through real responsibility, teamwork, and guided decision-making within our youth leadership program. 
• Gain practical experience living in an off-grid environment, including shared resource management and daily responsibilities. 
• Build confidence navigating discomfort, uncertainty, and new challenges in a supportive setting.
• Leave with a deeper understanding of Alaska’s environment, wildlife awareness, and cultural context. 
• Receive a brief end-of-program reflection or summary highlighting observed strengths, leadership moments, and areas of growth. 
• Additionally, receive a certificate recognizing completion of the Northern Lights Youth Expedition and foundational wilderness and leadership training.

Northern Lights Youth Expedition offers a unique Alaska wilderness expedition that is intentionally small and application-based to foster a strong group dynamic and ensure a safe, meaningful experience for every participant. Families begin by requesting an application, which emphasizes readiness, mindset, and fit rather than prior outdoor experience. This youth leadership program focuses on personal growth through outdoor skills training. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and families are notified of acceptance or waitlist status once the review process is complete within 10 days.

Once accepted, participants and families move into a preparation phase designed to ensure everyone arrives confident, informed, and ready for the Alaska wilderness expedition ahead. This includes pre-camp video conferences with staff and fellow participants, opportunities to ask questions, review expectations, and build early connections within the group. Additionally, guidance on outdoor skills training, packing, travel coordination, and final logistics is shared during this phase, ensuring a smooth transition into the youth leadership program.