Which Camp is Right for You: Summer Camps 101
Three camps in five locations offer something for every young Alaskan. Where will you go this summer?
Summers in Alaska may be fleeting, but the days are long and Camp Fire makes the most of each one. With more than 100 years of history helping youth discover the best within themselves, our summer programs are built for maximum fun, creativity, growth, and adventure. Here’s a brief look at what our camps have to offer.
CAMP K: For a Classic Wilderness Sleepaway Experience
At Camp K, Kenai Lake is your front yard!
Nestled between the turquoise waters of Kenai Lake and the majestic Kenai mountains, Camp K offers the kind of camp experience you see in the movies. Cabin bunks, a rack of kayaks, archery targets, a well-stocked art supply closet, and a stage for silly skits—all surrounded by some of the best natural beauty Alaska has to offer.
Each camp session has its own theme to spark fun, friendships, and discovery for youth. Outdoor Living Skills Week may teach campers how to build shelters, cook outside, and identify animal prints. In Fantasy Week, campers may be sent off on treasure hunts or space odysseys. In a special session just for teens ages 14-17, campers learn the basics of adventuring in the backcountry.
Camp K is for ages 6-17 (camp isn’t just for little kids, there’s an adventure for all ages). The program is accredited by the American Camp Association and uses a tiered pricing model to help make camp accessible to more families. Scholarships are available.
CAMP FIREWEED: For Big Outdoor Adventures Close to Home
Go for the gold with Camp Fireweed’s add-on weekly field trips.
Located on the sprawling campus of Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage, Camp Fireweed offers many of the same adventures as Camp K, just without the whole sleeping-in-cabins part. In addition to hiking, archery, canoeing, and outdoor living skills, campers have access to APU’s swimming pool and rock wall.
But wait, there’s more! Each weekly session includes the option for campers to join an exciting field trip. They may pan for gold, explore a fish hatchery, or meet Alaska wildlife. Like Camp K, Camp Fireweed’s sessions have fun themes. In Survivor Week, campers build boats out of cardboard and duct tape, and watch counselors try not to sink in Goose Lake. In Gaga Week, a new theme for 2026, campers will go goo-goo for gaga ball with an action-packed, friendly competition.
Camp Fireweed is for ages 5-15. Sessions run from June through August. The program is accredited by the American Camp Association and approved for Child Care Assistance eligibility. Scholarships are available.
Learn More about Camp Fireweed
SUMMER ADVENTURE CAMP: For Endless Fun in a School-Based Setting
Catch unique outdoor experiences at Summer Adventure Camp.
Housed in three elementary schools in Anchorage and Eagle River, Summer Adventure Camp is our licensed day-camp program. This program transforms school classrooms and playgrounds into a home base for outdoor adventure, using the schoolyard as a launchpad for exploration, discovery, and hands-on learning. Kids will enjoy fresh air, active play, and meaningful connection to nature. It’s a safe and welcoming place for kids to simply be kids all summer long.
And you already know we like themes! At Summer Adventure Camp, every session theme is designed around engaging activities like cooking, inventing, and getting outside. Special guests visit every week to teach science, show off cool Alaska wildlife, and demonstrate art skills. Weekly field trips to Camp Fireweed add swimming, rock climbing, and archery to the mix. And similar to Camp Fireweed, add-on field trips are available to increase the fun. Youth can attend Summer Adventure Camp for one week or every week to explore new interests and make lasting memories.
Summer Adventure Camp is for youth entering grades 1-7. Sessions run from June through August. As a licensed program, it is approved for Child Care Assistance. Scholarships are available.