July 20 – 22, 2018
WHO: Anyone interested in learning river-related subsistence and craft skills at a rustic Tanana River camp. The program is open to people ages 8 and up. 18 and under must be accompanied by adult co-learner.
WHAT: Want to spend some quality time with your family and friends learning new skills in a beautiful wild setting that is still close to town? Part class, part vacation, The Folk School’s Weekend on the River offers a weekend retreat at a Tanana River fish camp and homestead just 30 miles downstream of Fairbanks. Your adventure begins on Friday afternoon when you hike or paddle to camp. Pitch a tent and enjoy home-cooked meals with friends and family around a fire. That night we’ll make tin can fishing reels and you can start practicing for the big casting competition the next night.
Together we’ll learn about river’s wealth of fish by cutting, drying, cooking, and making art/craft with them. We’ll gather raw natural materials like willow and spruce and transform them into practical items. There will be time set aside each day to explore beyond camp, gathering wild edibles and building materials, tracking animals, and enjoying the setting. At night we’ll cook on fires, relax, and enjoy evening programs.
WHERE: Camp is located at Jenna and David Jonas’ property on the Tanana River between Fairbanks and Nenana. This property can be accessed from a 2-mile hiking trail from the Nenana Ridge State Forest Road or by boating along the river from Fairbanks. It is about an hour drive or a day’s float from Fairbanks. The Nenana Ridge State Forest Road is a logging road and in the summer may be very bumpy and dusty. We recommend 4-wheel drive. We will work with participants to aid in bringing in supplies, but please plan on packing on the light side.
WHEN: 4:00 pm on Friday, July 20, to 4:00 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2018 (2 days and 2 nights)
Registration deadline is July 15, 2018.
For more information and to register, please visit our Weekend on the River program page.
Are you interested in this class, but can’t take it? Tell us why!
Is the reason financial? We have scholarships available.