Thank You, Sitka
Dear Editor: Sitka Trail Works, the Sitka Native Education Program of Sitka School District and Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Sitka Conservation Society 4-H Project, and Youth Advocates of Sitka hosted the first-ever Sheet’ká Splash Mountain Camp this summer. The goal was to teach local youths how to safely recreate in and around Sitka’s waters and survive emergency situations. On behalf of the organizations, we thank the Sitka community for your overwhelming support to make this camp a success.
Five staff members received comprehensive training from Alaska Marine Safety Education Association on how to teach water and survival skills like knot tying, shelter building, and more. These skills were taught to participants over two weeks through various activities. Youths bonded over tackling the Sheet’ká Treetop Adventure Park and got to kayak and snorkel thanks to Southeast Alaska Independent Living and Selkie Snorkels who rented gear. The camp culminated in a test of survival skills at Point Brown on Kruzof, which was made possible by Allen Marine Tours, supporting Southeast Alaska through tourism.
We extend a special thanks to the STA Social Services Department and Sitka Sound Seafoods for donating fish for our earthen ovens project, Haley Jenkins from the Sitka Sound Science Center for sharing skiff expertise, Dane McFadden of the Sitka Fire Department and Lt. Cmdr. Scott Woodcock of the U.S. Coast Guard for invaluable safety instruction, AC Lakeside for generous food donations, and LFS for discounted life jackets each student got to take home.
These community contributions have made a lasting impact on our youths, and we are incredibly grateful for everyone’s partnership in ensuring our youths are equipped with the knowledge and resources to get home safe.
Lilli Garza, Sitka Trail Works
