Camps, Academies & Internships

SHI, in partnership with Tlingit & Haida (T&H), offers an annual Gumboot Camp for children in communities with a T&H Head Start who are enrolled in the institute’s Baby Raven Reads program. The camp, which is geared towards children ages 4-5, is culturally focused and utilizes SHI’s Baby Raven Reads early childhood curriculum, which promotes school readiness and early literacy skills. Camp activities include story-time, arts and cultural activities, singing, harvesting, and time outside.

Students in kindergarten through grade 5 are invited to join us for storytelling, harvesting, preparing, and learning through experience. In this camp, students explore their cultural traditions through local food harvesting activities. Students are encouraged by their authentic experiences and guided to write about these activities. Families are invited to celebrate their learning at the end of each camp session. Camp activities include Tlingit dancing, singing, drumming, art, games, and lots of outside time!

Voices on the Land (virtual camp) serves students in grades 4-8 in all Southeast Alaska communities. This is a unique opportunity for students to connect to their culture and engage in enriching online arts experiences that build cultural identity and self-confidence. Content areas include formline design instruction, watercolor painting, podcasting, reader’s theater or storytelling, and language integration.

Voices on the Land (in-person camp) serves students in grades 4-8 in Juneau and focuses on arts-based experiences that encourage cultural connection and activities that build confidence and cultural identity. The camp typically includes reader’s theater, watercolor painting, filmmaking, formline design, language integration, harvesting, and regalia making.

Students in grades 6-8 in limited communities in Southeast Alaska are invited to create, explore, and problem solve with place-based, culturally relevant STEAM activities and challenges. Campers engage in activities such as exploring halibut hooks and traditional fishing techniques, studying the tides, team building, and fun outdoor challenges. Duration and communities included are dependent on funding.

Voices on the Land (in-person camp) serves students in grades 4-8 in Juneau and focuses on arts-based experiences that encourage cultural connection and activities that build confidence and cultural identity. The camp typically includes Reader’s Theater, watercolor painting, filmmaking, formline design, language integration, harvesting, and regalia making.

Voices on the Land (virtual camp) serves students in grades 4-8 in all Southeast, Alaska, communities. This is a unique opportunity for students to connect to their culture and engage in enriching online arts experiences that build cultural identity and self-confidence. Content areas include formline design instruction, watercolor painting, podcasting, readers theater or storytelling, and language integration.

SHI’s Atnané Academy is a two-week day camp in Juneau serving high school students from Southeast Alaska who are interested in Northwest Coast art and culture. The program strengthens artistic skills and cultural knowledge through hands-on learning in formline design, carving, metal work, weaving, and storytelling—culminating in a final showcase for family and community. Students from outside of Juneau are welcome to apply; however, as this is not an overnight camp, SHI does not provide travel or lodging accommodations.

SHI’s Cultural Warriors program is designed to restore traditional pathways to strength, leadership and community for Alaska Native young men. The initiative is based on the traditional practice of uncles teaching nephews how to live with respect for the land, uphold cultural responsibilities, and serve their people.

SHI’s Haa Latseení Fitness Concepts course introduces students to fitness principles, traditional games, and outdoor activities. Emphasis is placed on the balance of mind, body, and spirit, drawing connections between physical fitness and cultural traditions. Students will engage in activities, such as developing a fitness plan that incorporates traditional and modern exercise methods, learning traditional games, engaging in outdoor activities, and developing teamwork and leadership skills.

In the summer, Indigenous Future Educators interns complete a dual-enrollment education intensive and complete placements at local organizations serving youth throughout the community. Alaska Native Interns learn about education in the field, culturally responsive education, and how to engage families and build community.

Through SHI’s STEAM academy, students can earn college and high school credit while working alongside Elders and professional researchers to build a deeper connection to the place we call home. This year, SHI will offer two STEAM academies: One focused on salmon microbe health and another on anatomy and physiology. This program is open to all Alaska Native high schoolers, with preference given to students in Southeast.

SHI’s STEAM internship program is a 5-8 week, paid residency that runs from early June to early August and is designed for rising juniors, rising seniors, and recent high school graduates from Southeast Alaska. STEAM interns have the opportunity to practice bridging Indigenous Knowledge into various STEAM careers through hands-on work experience at their selected internship site from our list of diverse STEAM career field placements. Past placement locations have included the Lily Hope Weaving Studio, the United States Forest Service, architectural design offices, tribal organizations, and other sites from the communities of Sitka, Juneau, Kake, Angoon, Hoonah, and Wrangell.

SHI’s Cultural Warriors program is designed to restore traditional pathways to strength, leadership and community for Alaska Native young men. The initiative is based on the traditional practice of uncles teaching nephews how to live with respect for the land, uphold cultural responsibilities and serve their people.