Cold-Water Survival Skills for Youth in Rural Communities
Throughout her years in Alaska, Joan was profoundly saddened and alarmed by the number of child drownings in the state, particularly in the rural areas. Beginning in 1964, Joan established a water safety program in villages where teams of Camp Fire staff worked with local communities to teach a variety of life skills, particularly water safety. Through these efforts, countless lives have been saved. The program continues today, providing more than 1,200 youth in more than 28 rural communities with both water safety and day camp activities.
A Powerful Voice for Youth
Joan served on countless task forces and committees that focused on youth issues in our state and was a strong advocate and voice for Alaska’s youth. Joan advocated and helped create within the state the child care assistance programs available for low-income families, as well as funding support for early childhood and youth development programs. She was a strong voice for youth having access to quality experiences that helped them in their development and individual growth.
For more than three decades, the name Joan Hurst was synonymous with youth development and Camp Fire in Alaska. Through her visionary leadership, the Chugach Council of Camp Fire Girls grew from a small club of volunteer leaders and girls to become Camp Fire Alaska, a statewide youth development agency for boys and girls that is a model of success not only for Alaska but the nation.
Upon her retirement in 1997, the Camp Fire organization had grown to include operations in Anchorage, Fairbanks and throughout rural Alaska, with a budget of $4 million, a staff of 150, and a participation of more than 5,000 girls and boys.
When Joan passed on October 27, 2003, Alaskans lost a first rate entrepreneur, mentor and friend to three generations of Alaskan youth and their parents. Her legacy lives on and continues to brighten the present and the future of Alaska’s youth.