Fairbanks Gold 2023

Monday, July 24th

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9:00am to 5:00pm:  Students arrive from home countries at Fairbanks International Airport

5:00 to 6:00pm: Drive to and unload at cabin

6:00 to 7:00pm:  Dinner and formal introductions.  Presentation of journals and tour agendas to students

7:00 to 7:30pm: Drive to Chena Hot Springs Resort

7:30 to 10:00pm: Swim, soak, and relax at Chena Hot Springs Resort

10:00 to 10:30pm: Drive back to cabin

10:30 to 11:00pm: Brush teeth, wind down from day, adjust to 24 hour sunlight, mingle with unofficial Alaska state bird, tell stories, laugh-smile- know that this tour could be the one to change your life forever

11:00pm: Bedtime

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Tuesday, July 25th​

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7:30 to 8:30am: Breakfast, stretch legs

8:30 to 10:30am: ESL Education lesson- Overview of Alaska Geography, History, and People

10:45am to 12:30pm: Gold panning at Gold Daughters

12:30 to 1:15pm: Lunch

1:45 to 3:30pm: Gun shooting workshop with Curtis Stables

4:00 to 6:00pm: Afternoon hike/ explore/ games around cabin

6:00 to 7:00pm:  Dinner

7:00 to 8:00pm: Evening meeting

8:00 to 10:00pm: Relax around campfire, language practice, games, singing, socializing, deeply realize that you are in one of the most beautiful places on Earth

10:00pm: Bedtime

Wednesday, July 26th​

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7:30 to 8:30am: Breakfast, stretch legs

8:30 to 10:30am: ESL Education lesson: Alaska Native People and their Culture

10:30 to 12:00pm: Visit to Morrison Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center.  We will be making porcupine quill earrings as part of our visit.  Students will make teams with other students and compete in conversational scavenger hunt as well. 

12:00 to 1:00pm: Lunch

1:00 to 4:00pm: Drive to Denali National Park with several majestic and inspiring photo opportunities along the way. 

4:00 to 5:00pm: Check in to Denali Hostel and Cabins. 

5:00 to 6:00pm: Dinner

6:00 to 7:00pm: Evening meeting

7:00 to 10:00pm: Relax around campfire, tell stories, language practice, play games, avoid mosquitoes, listen to the amazing brilliance of nature’s quiet spirit

10:00pm: Bedtime

Thursday, July 27th

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7:30 to 8:30am: Breakfast & leg stretching

8:30 to 10:30am: ESL Education lesson: Alaska Wildlife

10:45 to 2:00pm: Hike in Denali National Park (We will eat sack lunch on hike)

2:30 to 4:30pm: 2 hour Alaska Geographic presentation on Denali at the Murie Science and Learning Center

5:00 to 6:00pm: Dinner

6:00 to 7:00pm: Evening meeting

7:30 to 9:00pm: Visit an official Alaskan sled dog kennel where we will help train real Iditarod sled dog pups

9:00 to 10:00pm:  Relax at campfire, sing songs, play games, fall madly in love with life at this moment

10:00pm: Bedtime

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Friday, July 28th​

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8:30 to 9:30am: Breakfast, stretch legs

10:00am to 5:00pm:  Whitewater rafting in Denali or zip lining and hiking in Denali  (lunch provided on each trip)

5:00 to 6:00pm: Dinner

5:00 to 7:00 pm:  ESL Education lesson- Modern Day Living in the Last Great Wilderness

7:00 to 8:00pm: Evening meeting

8:00 to 10:00pm:  Relaxing at campfire, journaling, singing and speaking with new friends, dancing with Alaska unofficial state bird (again!), really appreciating the small & beautiful things in life

10:00pm: Bedtime

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Saturday, July 29th​

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7:30 to 9:00am: Breakfast, pack, check out

9:00 to 11:30am:  Drive from Denali back to Fairbanks.

11:30am to 12:00pm: Lunch

12:00 to 9:00pm: All day tour in Fairbanks.  Prepare students for flight home and transport to airport at travel time.  Reflect on tour, review lessons learned and new friends made, start arranging for Alaska English Adventure tours for next summer for self and several friends.