Frequently Asked Questions

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“”The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure.”  ~ Joseph Campbell” ~ 

Anytime you are planning on embarking on a profound adventure such as this, there are bound to be questions.  If you don’t find an answer to yours or would like to discuss a question or concern in more detail, please feel free to Contact Us.

“”The art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledge.” ~ Thomas Berger

How do I enroll in one of these offerings?
  • If you are not affiliated with a particular group, you can simply enroll via this site.  A $500 deposit is required to secure your spot in the AOSS experience. Check out our deposit guidelines for more details.  The remaining balance is due 30 days prior to the course. 
  • If you are affiliated with a college or group contact your college or organizer.  You can also contact us to make sure your spot is secured. 
What is the cost of the trip and what is included?
  • There are various course offerings with varied fees depending on the duration of the course. The course fee covers round trip ferry Haines- Juneau, lodging in Juneau for one night, lodging in Haines for the duration of the course, room and board in Haines, as well as course instructional fees and an optional letter of completion.  It does not include travel to Juneau, lodging in Juneau prior to departure and meals in Juneau.  
  • The cost of the course does not cover travel to and from Juneau, lodging and meals in Juneau at the end of the course, and the cost of tuition.
  • Contact us for more specific details. 

 

What are the course dates ?
  • There are a variety of course offerings throughout the year, but mainly in the summer. AOSS is blessed to work with various colleges as well as offer open enrollment for students that are not affiliated with a specific institution.  Check out courses page or contact us for more specifics. 

 

Can I customize a trip?
  • Yes, there are several options that are available for students who want to customize a trip.  These include, but are not limited to:
    • Family outings 
    • Dates are filled or don’t match available dates.  
    • A group of students that want a particular focus, such as glaciation or developing rafting skills.
    • Special focus, such as grade school offerings or shorter courses
  • If you are interested in designing your own AOSS experience, please contact us for ways to make it work.  
Where does the course take place?
  •  The course begins in Juneau, Alaska where we meet students. Most courses stay in Juneau and explore the Mendenhall Glacier before traveling to Haines via ferry.  Note, all students are required to make travel arrangements to and from Juneau and confirm travel itinerary with AOSS staff. The AOSS staff is more than happy to help make travel arrangements.

 

Can I take an AOSS offering for College Credit?
  • Yes, there are several ways to get college credit for taking the course.  Many times, students come with a specific college group and obtain credit through that college.  Others, attend courses independent of a particular college.  There are several options for independent students to get college credit.  It is up to the students to ensure that credits can be transferred. Contact us with more insights.

 

What are the age requirements and do I have to be a college student?
  •  We do offer special trips for families and younger students, but most of our students are either high school students or college-aged.  Students that are not in college can receive a letter of completion that can be applied towards continuing education requirement at no extra cost.  Feel free to contact us for more details.

 

What are the lodging arrangements?
  • Each trip varies.  However, generally, the group stays together at the Rainbow Glacier Camp, located along the Lynn Canal.  The stunning accommodations are rustic cabins with bunk beds, individual showers, communal kitchen, and internet service.  The cabins are not co-ed, but arrangements can easily be made for married couples to stay together.  
  • In most courses, there is an overnight element where we stay in tents (gear provided).  This is usually a highlight for students and no experience is required.  

 

Can you stay somewhere else?
  •  While it is recommended that you stay with the group to foster a learning community, it is possible to make your own accommodations such as a local hotel or with friends. In this case, students will have to make arrangements for rides and will want to contact AOSS about pricing.

 

Do I need to have experience to do one of these courses?
  • There is no experience required to join the AOSS experience.  Our professional instructors and wilderness guides are the best in the business and can cater to each student’s needs.  Our courses are designed for all levels of experience.

 

Do I have to be a science major or an outdoor educator?
  • With a focus on the interconnections that exist in nature, our courses are specifically designed to foster meaningful learning for any major, both science and non-science backgrounds.  Within this framework, our courses are a perfect blend for students searching for a broad liberal arts overview of Alaska as well as students with a more focused speciality like marine biologists.  

 

What is the trip size?
  • To promote the safest and best opportunity for learning, we try to keep a 1:6 student to instructor ratio for environmental education based courses and 1:4 ratio for adventure-based courses.
  • We have found that the ideal size is between 6-14 participants for most organized offerings
  • Custom trip sizes may vary.
  • Feel free to contact us with any related questions. 
Are there a group size requirements?
  • If you are associated with a particular college outing then the trip is size is often subjected to that particular college’s requirements.  You can Contact us to see what those might be or contact the college directly. 
  • If you are independent we generally have a 4-6 person minimum and try to limit the size of the group to 12-16.  
  • Each situation may be different so please contact us for specific details.
What does a typical day look like in one of these courses?
  • While each day and each course is varied, generally there is a pattern.  Typically, we meet for a group breakfast and prepare for a morning classroom session which will lay the foundation for the afternoon in the field, experiential outing.  We will either have prepared lunch in the field or prior to departure.  The afternoon session is designed for students to apply what they have learned from the morning session.  In the evening, we have time for reflection either before or after group dinner.  
  • Because we spend most of our day in the field, we recommend students have clothing to support variable weather.  Please see the clothing list for more insights. 
What gear and clothing should I bring
  • We offer a list of what to bring suggestions.  In many cases, we have extra clothes that students can borrow if they forgot something.  
  • While our lodging arrangements do provide linen and blanks, we do recommend that students bring their own sleeping bag as a taste of home.

 

Will there be cell service?
  • Alaska is somewhat remote and the coverage is limited, but on the most days, there will be opportunities for students to use their cell phones each morning and nights.
  • There will be satellite messaging in case of an emergency at all times. 

 

Are there any scholarship opportunities?
  • Yes, AOSS works with the Takshanuk Watershed council who is our non-profit fiscal sponsor, which enables us to secure grants and fellowships to often be able to provide scholarships for various courses. Contact us for more specific requirements and availability.
What if I have a different question?
  • If you don’t see a particular question or want a more detailed answer, please Contact us.
  • We love to chat and want to ensure the best possible experience.

 

“”The AOSS staff was more than helpful in sorting out my questions and preparing me for the trip.  They even talked to my parents.  In the end, I was totally prepared with clothes, but not prepared for how much I learned.” ~ Adrian