About the Program

Week in the Woods is an intergenerational immersion in the boreal forest of Interior Alaska that nurtures a sense of belonging through explorations in natural history and craft, while living in the best of all classrooms–the woods.

Participants will make the forest their home for six days and five nights, allowing the everyday of our technology-driven lives to be replaced by the more attentive and peaceful experience of the woods. Participants will go on guided excursions, learning to recognize the unique characteristics, patterns, dynamics, and inhabitants of the boreal landscape. Craft and natural history become avenues for connection, skills development, and belonging in a way that is exploratory, experiential, and enjoyable. With the woods as the “classroom,” we learn through immersion: Skills and newfound understandings become immediately relevant, helping develop a sense of comfort, satisfaction, and empowerment.

After experiencing a Week in the Woods, the sense of belonging to both the human and more-than-human community may just percolate into your life and help everyone become better stewards wherever they call home.

An Intergenerational Immersion

Who can participate?

• Adult Learners (18 years and older)
• Youth (6-17 years) with an Adult Co-Learner

About Youth/Adult Co-Learners

Week in the Woods (WITW) is a program designed to incorporate various ages and abilities. Intergenerational learning is a valuable component of our program. WITW is family-friendly, but this is not a dedicated camp for kids. Youth under 18 must be accompanied by adults who are not only responsible for them, but who plan to learn alongside them.

The co-learner model gives adults and youth the opportunity to work side-by-side — innovating, admiring, and sharing ideas. Adult co-learners also provide the coaching and guidance necessary for youth to focus and complete their ideas. WITW instructors are skilled in their craft and encouraging teachers, but their role is not to provide the discipline and undivided attention often necessary to help youth carry out their plans. Adults are ultimately responsible for the progress and participation of their youth co-learner.

Program Details

What can participants gain from their experience at Week in the Woods?

• Awareness of our relationship with the land
• Sense of connection and belonging
• Understanding of the context for the materials and processes used in craft
• Familiarity and growing ability to recognize relationships in the forest environment
• Comfortable with the discomforts of outdoor living!
• Experience of peacefulness and presence away from town life
• Sense of satisfaction, confidence, and enjoyment from creating useful and beautiful things by hand
• New eyes for seeing and skills for engaging with your home environments
  
• Memories from a fun and inspiring week!

PLUS, examples of other skills that participants have the chance to hone: 

• Knife handling and carving
• Tool care
• Knots
• Fire making
• Creative expression
• Wilderness and outdoor skills
• Mindful attention
• Curiosity and observation

A Typical Day

A day at Week in the Woods is by no means typical! 

We begin with a family style breakfast followed by a morning meeting where we share the day’s activities. 

We launch into our morning Woods Walk, where we explore a particular forest ecosystem with the guidance of a leader and perhaps gather materials for use in a project. Getting to know the woods leads us into tools, skills, and project classes that help us further connect with each other, the place, and our creativity. The day is interspersed with opportunities to play, observe, and create! 

Following a full day of natural history and craft explorations, a family style lunch and dinner, nature walks and special guests, there is space in the evening for further conversation, storytelling, games, and the annual play!

Location and Conditions

Please Note: WITW is a rugged outdoor program. However, this does not mean you need to be an experienced camper! 

The location for Week in the Woods is a tranquil spot in the heart of the Tanana Valley near Fairbanks, Alaska. The actual site changes from time to time to moderate our impact, but we choose locations that are accessible with a normal car, though not on the paved road system. The actual camp area is located a couple hundred yards off the road and requires walking over uneven terrain.

Participants will need to be resourceful, have a desire to work with their hands, and be unafraid of getting dirty. Participants should be prepared to keep themselves warm and dry in rainy conditions, as well as stay comfortable with mosquitoes and flies. We are happy to assist you if you are new to camping out! Please feel free to ask us any questions about what to expect and how to prepare so that you can comfortably enjoy the week.

Participants need to bring camping and personal gear for the week. Please see the FAQs or your welcome letter for a detailed list. We will provide all meals, drinking water, and all tools and materials.

IMPORTANT: Week in the Woods is an unplugged program! This means that cell phones and other electronics are not permitted in the main camp area, aside from taking photos. Cell reception is limited at the campsite, and there is no option for recharging devices.

Meals

Week in the Woods staff will prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner for all participants each day. Meals will be served family style and will include a variety of options. Participants are welcome to bring their own snacks or special foods, and we do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions. 

Out of Town Participants:

For those of you traveling from out of town, we offer some options that will make the logistics easier! Please check out the Out of Town visitor section on the FAQs tab at the top of this page. 

Don’t hesitate to contact us with questions, either at (907) 415-8586 or witw@folk.school

Registration for Week in the Woods 2026 is open! But it will close on June 1, 2026, so register today! 

Pricing:
Prices include 5+ days of programming led by skilled instructors, all meals during the program, all materials and tools (personal carving tools are available for purchase), and a rugged but fully supported immersive forest experience.

• Adult Learner: $940
• Second Adult: $840
• Youth/Adult Co-learners (one adult and one youth): $1,470 
• Additional Youth Co-learner: $380.00

Note: Full payment is due 60 days before the start of the program.

Late registration: After May 15th, registration fees for Week in the Woods increase by $50 per person.

Registration closes: June 1, 2026

Scholarships: If you would love to participate in Week in the Woods but cost is a barrier for you, please contact us! Find all the details on our Scholarships page. We also have a limited number of work study positions: Please check out the Work Study tab above.

Tool Purchase: All adults are required to have their own sloyd or chip carving knife. You are welcome to bring your own or purchase a knife from The Folk School before or during camp (cash or check only during camp).

Cancellation policy:
30 days or more before the start of the program: Participants receive a full refund less a $25 administrative fee.
15-29 days before the start of camp: Participants receive a 50% refund.
Less than 15 days before the start of camp: No refund issued. However, at the time of cancellation, you may request that we credit your tuition toward the following year of WITW.

If you are no longer able to attend but find someone to take over your registration, we will refund your registration cost less a $25 administrative fee once they register and pay.

REGISTER

 Week in the Woods Work Study Positions Descriptions

APPLY HERE: The 2026 Application is closed 

What is Work Study like at Week in the Woods?

Do you like… 

• Getting outside? 
• Helping others discover the joy of the woods or the satisfaction of a hands-on craft project?
• Sitting around a campfire eating good food with good folks, swapping stories and ideas while working on fun projects?
• Feeling like part of a team that is doing something meaningful? 

If you like the sound of immersing yourself in Week in the Woods, and said yes to the questions above, we’d love for you to join the work study team at Week in the Woods! There are a few different types of roles for work study participants–Activities Coordinator, Camp Logistics, and Kitchen Assistant–but all work studys get to participate at Week in the Woods while helping provide logistical and community support to make camp run smoothly. As a work study participant, you’ll take part in most of the regular program activities, while also building deeper connections with the community of folks who make Week in the Woods happen, and learning about the behind the scenes magic that makes this program special. 

Preference will be given to emerging craftspeople and individuals who would be otherwise unable to attend WITW due to financial constraints. 

Like regular program participants, work studys need to bring personal camping gear including a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, rain gear, water bottle, etc. Work study participants who work before or after the program must provide their own meals for those days. All meals are provided during the program dates. 

Read on for details and to learn how to apply!

Overview for ALL Work Study Roles

Responsibilities: 

• Provide logistical support for the program to make sure the days go smoothly for staff and student participants. 
• Be supportive role models for other participants in the program, bringing joy and enthusiasm to camping and learning in the woods and immersing themselves in boreal forest craft and ecology.
• Work study participants may have the opportunity to share a skill with the WITW community! Please let us know if you have a relevant skill or passion you would be interested in sharing with the camp.
• Specific tasks based on role (see descriptions below).

Time Commitment:
See specific dates and expected time commitment for each work study role. Participants in the work study program must be available the entire duration of the dates listed. If you’re unsure about the time commitment, contact us!

Benefits

• Attend Week in the Woods ($940+ value) and enjoy all the things Week in the Woods offers, including good food, community, craft, and fun while learning boreal forest ecology and craft from master instructors and scientists
• All meals included during the program week (June 12-17)
• $600 stipend
• If you have a valid WFA, WFR, WEMT or similar certification, The Folk School can provide an additional $200 stipend
• Out of town participants have the option to share rustic housing before and after camp in an off-grid, walk-in cabin
• A unique and truly unforgettable Alaskan adventure in the land of the midnight sun! 

General Qualifications and Skills

• Must be 18 years old or older
• Great attitude, proactive, willingness to do a variety of tasks as needed as part of a team
• Must be able to walk ½ mile in the woods over uneven terrain
• Relevant camping experience preferred (mosquito country!)
• Wilderness medicine certification preferred
• Interest and experience in boreal forest ecology, craft, intergenerational learning, or previous experience at WITW a plus! 
• Photography experience a bonus

Specifically for Camp Logistics positions: 

• Must be able to comfortably lift 40 lbs and carry loads over uneven terrain
• Must be able to walk ½ mile, repeatedly, in the woods over uneven terrain

Application

Please complete the application form including a resume highlighting relevant experience. Format all documents as PDFs. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and positions will remain open until filled. We will update this page as positions are filled. 

APPLY HERE: Application 2026 Google Form

WORK STUDY POSITIONS

Activities Coordinator (1 position) POSITION FILLED

This person is engaging and lively, loves working with kids, and helps keep the energy high at camp. They work closely with the Camp Director, other work study participants and staff, to help coordinate day-to-day activities (we have lots of games and activities to choose from!). This role requires more engagement on the staff side than the other work study roles. Expect to spend about 50% of your time in your work study role.

Dates: Training (June 8 & 11) + Camp (June 12-17) + Debrief (June 24)

Responsibilities:

• Facilitates community-building and engagement with all the participants (includes supporting co-learning & directing adults towards co-learning with their youth)
• Be a liaison between staff, students, and Camp Director 
• Coordinate and lead games and other activities between main learning blocks and at break times
• Host the annual WITW play!
• Assist instructors with set up and clean up for activities

Camp Logistics (2-3 positions) POSITIONS FILLED

The camp logistics work study participants are robust, proactive folks responsible for helping pack, set-up, take-down, and unpack camp, as well as helping keep the camp functioning during the program. Most of the heavy lifting for these positions occurs before and after camp. During the program, you will be able to engage in most activities as a regular participant, with roughly 20-30% of your time for work study duties. 

Dates: Training (June 8) + Camp (June 9-18) + Debrief (June 24)

Responsibilities: 

• Organize, clean, load & unload gear before and after camp at The Folk School. 

• Set up and break down camp, including loading, unloading, and carrying gear, hanging tarps, digging latrines. Help with gathering and splitting firewood, hauling water, cleaning up, kitchen support, and other ongoing camp logistical support as needed. 

• Must be able to comfortably lift 40 lbs and carry loads over uneven terrain.

Kitchen Assistant (1 position) POSITION FILLED

Help keep the hungry masses happy! Kitchen Assistant is an excellent role for an early riser who likes to feed people and wants to learn more about outdoor cooking. You are not responsible for working all meals and washing dishes all week: an important part of this position is coordinating kitchen volunteers for food preparation and clean up. Expect to spend about 20-30% of your time on your kitchen duties. 

Dates: Training (June 8) + Camp (June 9-18) + Debrief (June 24)

Responsibilities: 

• Help with food shopping, packing, and kitchen setup before camp and organization and cleaning after camp. 
• Be the sous chef to the Camp Cook, helping with prepping and serving food
• Prepare one meal per day with oversight from Camp Cook
• Help with kitchen organization, including keeping tea, coffee, snacks, water, etc. stocked & tidy
• Set up and maintain washing stations
• Help Camp Cook coordinate kitchen volunteers

 Frequently Asked Questions

What is provided at Week in the Woods?

• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner for all participants (see meals section below for details) 
• Drinking water (please bring your own water bottle)  
• Plenty of tarped-over (covered) space for group activities
• Tools and materials (We will be using a sloyd or chip carving knife during the program. You can bring your own if you have one, borrow one from The Folk School, or purchase one from at registration before or during camp.)

What should I bring?

You will be camping outdoors for five days in interior Alaska in June. This could mean a variety of weather conditions, so be prepared for all opportunities, rain or shine! Plus a few mosquitoes 🙂

Participants need to bring the following:

• Mess kit
• Water bottle
• Snacks for between meals (if desired)
• Folding camp chair
• Tent that comfortably fits everything you bring along, as well as you!
• Tarp roughly twice as big as your tent’s footprint for extra weather protection
• Sleeping bag and pad
• Personal items such as a book, medications, toiletries
• Rain gear and layers to stay comfortable/warm and dry in weather conditions
• Footwear you are comfortable wearing on uneven or wet ground 

What about meals?

Week in the Woods staff will prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner for all participants each day. Meals will be served family style and will include a variety of healthy options. Please alert us in your registration form if you have any food allergies, especially any life-threatening allergies, so we can plan accordingly.

There will be a camp cook who will be in charge of preparing meals. However, assisting the cook and cleaning up will be a shared responsibility among all folks. We appreciate everyone’s help in keeping camp running smoothly and efficiently so everyone can enjoy the time spent together.

Note: Participants are expected to bring any snacks they may want for between meals.

I need to have my phone for important communication, what should I do?

Week in the Woods is an unplugged program. Phones should be turned off or on silent and be stored in vehicles or tents during camp. It is disruptive to the whole camp (and counter to the philosophy of Week in the Woods) to hear a phone ring or see and hear someone using a phone while enjoying this community of friends in a beautiful forest! We invite you to prepare accordingly so you don’t need to use your phone during the program–it is a liberating experience to unplug for a while! (It’s likely your phone won’t have reliable service, anyway!)

We understand that life happens, so if you absolutely need to make a call during the program, please be discreet and respect the group’s experience: Go out of sight and earshot. Thank you for respecting this policy.

What if I want to take photos?

We invite you to be present and immerse yourself in the moment without the distraction of documenting everything. We will have someone taking photos at camp documenting the amazing experience and will share photos with participants after the program. If you really want to take your own photos, be judicious about using your phone camera and consider bringing a digital camera to avoid the temptation of a phone altogether! 

Can I bring my pet?

Pets are not allowed at Week in the Woods. If you have a service animal, please contact us so we can best accommodate your needs.

How do I get there?

The camp is located a few miles outside of Fairbanks, Alaska. Maps and detailed directions will be provided in your welcome letter well before you arrive. You can drive your own car, rent a car, carpool with other participants, or take a shuttle/taxi (we will coordinate a shuttle if needed). Be aware that access is via unpaved roads once you leave the highway, which may be one lane and might have some overgrown branches along the road. Phone data service is not guaranteed so be sure to download the map of the area if using GPS and have directions available offline. 

What about kids?

We love having kids, ages 6 and up, at Week in the Woods! All children must register with an adult co-learner, who is also registered and present for the week. Adult co-learners are expected to care for and learn alongside their youth co-learner! Read about our co-learning philosophy and expectations in the Program Details tab. 

Who can participate?

• Adult Learners (18 years and older)
• Youth (6-17 years) with an Adult Co-Learner

What is the Youth/Adult Co-Learners model?

Youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult also registered in the program who is not only responsible for them, but who plan to learn alongside their youth co-learner. The co-learner model gives adults and youth the opportunity to work side-by-side — innovating, admiring, and sharing ideas. Adult co-learners also provide the coaching and guidance necessary for youth to focus and complete their ideas. WITW instructors are skilled in their craft and encouraging teachers, but their role is not to provide the discipline and undivided attention often necessary to help youth carry out their plans. Adults are ultimately responsible for the progress and participation of their youth co-learner.

Can I attend solo?

Yes! As long as you’re 18 years or wiser, we welcome solo attendees.

More FAQs for Out-of-Town Participants

Can I come to Week in the Woods if I don’t live near Fairbanks?

Yes, absolutely! Many folks attend Week in the Woods from all over, both within Alaska and from much farther afield. Many families, couples, and solo adventurers have had the trip of a lifetime attending our unique program!

How should I get to Fairbanks if I’m coming from out of town?

If you’re traveling from outside Alaska or from rural Alaska, you can fly to the Fairbanks International Airport. The most common carriers are Delta and Alaska Airlines, and flights are usually routed via Seattle and/or Anchorage. 

Several common brands of rental cars are available at the Fairbanks International Airport by advance reservation. If you plan to explore around or outside of Fairbanks beyond the Week in the Woods program, we strongly recommend renting a car! If you are traveling from elsewhere within Alaska on the road system, we suggest driving so you have a vehicle here. 

Does The Folk School have any camping gear we can borrow? 

Yes! If you are coming from out of town, we can provide camp chairs and mess kits, if requested. Outdoor Adventures at the University of Alaska Fairbanks also has some camping gear rentals (please inquire directly). Let us know if you need help understanding what gear you need or how to find it! 

How do I get to the program site if I don’t have a car and don’t want to rent one? 

When needed, we can arrange a shuttle/van service to take participants to and from camp. The cost of this service will depend on how many riders there are. Van service might save you some rental car expenses, if there are multiple riders. Please let us know when you register if you are interested in a shared shuttle. 

Can you help me imagine the basic logistics of my trip? 

Yes! Below is a suggested itinerary to get you started. Please let us know if we can help! 

• Arrive at Fairbanks International Airport at least a day or two ahead of time.
• Rent a car at the airport, so you can explore a bit of the Fairbanks area, get to and from your initial lodging, and pick up any last minute supplies you want for the days in the woods (all meals are provided except snacks). There is a Fred Meyer and a Safeway near the airport. 
• You can consider returning your rental car and using a shuttle/van service to get from Fairbanks out to the Week in the Woods site. The van is an additional cost, but having your rental car sit unused for 5 days at the site could be much more expensive. Also note that many rental car companies do not allow their cars to be used on the unpaved forest roads. Please check with your rental company. 
• On the first day of the program, arrive by car or van at the site by the time listed in your welcome letter (mid-afternoon). Meet your cheerful staff and other participants who will help carry your gear a few hundred yards into the forest, orient you to the site, and help you begin absorbing the charms of the boreal forest.
• Note! It never gets dark in central Alaska at this time of year around the summer solstice–a magic that melts time away.
• After the all-too-soon last day of the program, say your goodbyes and return to town. If you took the shuttle/van, The Folk School will coordinate the return trip. 
• If you’re in a hurry, you can head straight to the airport for an evening or late night flight, or extend your trip with any number of Alaskan adventures, such as a visit to Denali National Park, two hours away by road and one of the most spectacular natural preserves in the world.