Questions and Answers

What is included in the tuition cost?

The program is 8 days, 7 nights and all inclusive with meals, lodging, equipment, instruction, and carbon credits. Water and flavored drinks will always be available. Participants will also receive an electronic copy of the supplemental readings, worksheets, and field guide.

What are carbon credits?

It is a way for individuals and business to offset their carbon footprint, the impact our use of fossil fuels has on global warming and other impacts carbon emissions have on the environment. Green Edventures uses carbonfund.org to offset each student’s carbon footprint by participating in our educational travel program. Green Edventures’ participants support Carbonfund.org and they in turn support carbon-reducing projects such as renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects.

What is not included?

How do I get there?

Do I need to purchase travel insurance?

Yes it is required and you should purchase it within 7-15 days of your deposit date to receive the maximum amount of coverage. Your coverage should include trip cancellation, missed connections, travel interruption, travel delay, emergency medical treatment and emergency medical evacuation. Contact Ambassador Travel or your own agent for information on purchasing a travel insurance policy. Although travel insurance is required and serves as added protection for your program investment, it does not cover all circumstance. Parents are responsible for reviewing the insurance policy they purchase and their own medical coverage to ensure they have adequate coverage.

What is your cancellation and refund policy?

Do I need a passport?

Not if you are a US Citizen.

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Is it safe?

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines safe as, " 1. free from harm or risk, 2. secure from threat of danger, harm, or loss." Domestic or international travel, wilderness adventure or just a walk in the park all involve some level of risk. Because of this, no one or company can guarantee safety. Green Edventures works with partners and vendors to minimize risk through planning, hiring experienced guides, and enforcement of a strict participant conduct code.

Is medical care nearby?

Providence Health and Services emergency center is located in Seward and is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week with registered nurses certified in advanced cardiac life support, trauma nursing, and pediatric advanced life support, and with physician’s that are board certified in either family practice or emergency medicine. If the need for emergency transportation arises, Providence LifeGuard Air Ambulance service is available to transport patients to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage for more extensive care or service. Due to the nature of the program, the group will be participating in adventure activities in remote parts of the Kenai Peninsula. Medical service may be delayed.

What should I pack?

A packing list will be provided. Don't over pack and don't substitute items recommended on the packing list. There is limited space for personal gear storage. Pack everything in a soft-sided 62 linear inch duffle bag. Daily activities will be require you to dress in layers. Expect rain so be prepared with a rain jacket and pants. Non-cotton clothing and wicking fabric is required for adventure activities. Alaska is a wild and unpredictable place. Temps can go from the high 70s to near freezing. In order for you to have an enjoyable experience, you need to be prepared.

What is the group size?

At this time, the group size is limited to 14-21 students, 2-4 chaperones, Program Director and cook.

Where will I stay?

Participants will arrive in Anchorage and travel 120 miles south to Seward, Alaska. During the week, our home will be the Moby Dick Hostel and Lodging in the heart of down town Seward. The hostel is clean, comfortable, and has a great reputation in the area.

What are accommodations?

There are separate male and female sleeping quarters. The facility has four large rooms with up to 3 bunk beds (6 beds) in each room. Bathrooms are shared. There will be other travelers staying at the hostel who are not part of our group. Green Edventures’ will make every effort to ensure participants will only room with other Green Edventures' students. There are times, however when boys out number girls or visa versa and not all of the beds in a dorm room are filled by us. In such cases, Moby Dick Hostel may fill those beds with other guests (of the same sex). Participants will be given the option to upgrade their room at an additional expense to them, or stay in the dorm with other guests at the hostel.

What are the physical requirements?

You do not need to be an athlete, but you must be in excellent physical and mental health. If you have a history of breathing problems or other medical conditions which may prevent you from participating in our scheduled activities or to follow visual or verbal instructions please contact our office.

Participants range in age from early teens to retirees. We do our best to tailor each program around the group's needs and skill level. To get the most out of your experience we suggest preparing your body for the adventure. All activities are optional, and we move at the pace of our slowest hiker. At least 3 months before your trip, you should start walking and/or jogging to get your body ready for physically strenuous activities. The hikes are short but steep. Expect at least 3-4 miles and 1500-3200ft elevation gain-- or about 6 hours roundtrip. No experience in necessary.

What do we eat?

Meals will be hearty American home style cuisine with high nutritional content to replenish your strength from an exciting day of hiking or kayaking. On your application there is a place to let us know of any food allergies or if you are a vegetarian. Be sure to let us know if you have particular foods your love or hate. We don't provide a menu, but we will do our best to make your taste buds happy.

How do we get around?

We will travel by foot, kayak, van/car, bus, or boat depending on the activity and number of participants per week.

What is the climate?

Seward is in located in the temperate Southcentral Alaska. Expect cool to cold temperatures, with mixed sunshine, fog, and rain and temps between the 75- 60’s during the day and the high 40’s at night. Temps and weather conditions can change quickly depending on our activity so dress in layers. For example, on our hike up to the glacier we wear t-shirts and sweat a lot. When we get on the glacier, the wind picks up, the temperature drops, and we are in winter gear (hats, jackets, gloves, rain pants).

Why is Alaska nicknamed the land of the midnight sun?

Because of its latitude and the tilt of the earth, during the summer solstice (June 21) any area north of latitude 64 will receive 24 hours of daylight. In Seward, which is latitude 60, we will have approximately 19 hours of daylight.