a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

Mission: To provide a cultural and educational organization whose purpose is to engage Kotzebue area community members and camp guests in multicultural experiences and exchanges utilizing the scenic coast, tundra and natural resources.

Brief history: In 1966, LaVonne Hendricks, a young public health nurse, arrived in Northwest Alaska (Kotzebue and Nome). Her kinship with the people and culture of the area deepened over the next 14 years as her work took her to villages in the region. In 1975, LaVonne accepted an offer from an Inupiaq friend to establish a camp on a Native allotment near Sadie Creek, 6 miles south of Kotzebue on a Chukchi Sea beach. LaVonne’s Fish Camp was born.

In the mid-1980’s, LaVonne’s Fish Camp developed and implemented the Summer Youth Program for Inupiat kids ages 8 to 18. It was initially started to promote a healthy lifestyle for young people. A few years later, the Camp would also serve as the Culture Camp for NANA Regional Corporation’s Tour Arctic program in Kotzebue. The Youth Program evolved to encompass learning about their native culture, building self-confidence, and zeroing in on suicide prevention. This program complemented Maniilaq’s (the regional health association) Healthy Lifestyle Education Program.

In 1986, Arctic Circle Educational Adventures was created as a non-profit organization under which a variety of programs could be offered at LaVonne’s Fish Camp. Various programs were sponsored by NANA, Kikkiktagruk Inupiat Corporation (KIC), the Northwest Arctic Borough and Chukchi College.

In 1990, one of these sponsored programs encouraged students to create their own oral history project. Native youth interviewed Elders and other role models and became excited about their work. They developed verbal presentation and other communication skills. Shy and reserved, they learned to interact with visitors. Self confidence and self esteem increased. The project culminated in the publication of “Walking in Two Worlds,” a traditional and contemporary student oral history. Years later, those children would return as adults and leaders and share how the experience had a positive impact on their lives.

Services provided: Arctic Circle Educational Adventures provides advocacy, employment, education, and healthy activities for youth and Elders. LaVonne's Fish Camp is a safe, healthy, outdoors place for people to gather.

The camp maintains an open house policy for all Elders who regularly visit camp. Traditionally, Inupiat families go to “camp” in summer to harvest fish to put up for winter. For those who lack property, equipment and transportation for this seasonal activity, LaVonne’s Fish Camp offers them a means to engage in subsistence activities. Local residents stop and visit friends and relatives at Camp en route to hunting, fishing, berry picking and gathering old ivory and other fossils. Thus, the camp is also a gathering place for community Natives and non-Natives. After a long winter, the re-opening of LaVonne’s Fish Camp heralds the beginning of summer for many residents.

Every summer, 10 to 20 Inupiat Eskimo “Elders” from the community come out to greet and teach guests at the Camp and demonstrate traditional subsistence practices. This provides the Elders with additional income and subsistence foods. Camp guests are invited to try a hands-on experience and participate in subsistence activities with local Inupiat people. Subsistence activities and storytelling educate both visitors and young people on the importance of the Arctic environment, the land and water that are the source of everything that defines the people, their culture, and their survival.

The camp also serves as a venue for local artisans to demonstrate their crafts and sell artwork to guests. Local youth at camp meet and interact with the artists and often become interested in their Native crafts. An on-site mini-museum of artifacts, harvesting tools, photographs, an Arctic library, and other displays educate local visitors and guests.

Donate today to ensure the camp's survival. Arctic Circle Educational Adventures is an IRS recognized 501(c)3. Arctic Circle Educational Adventures. 200 W. 34th Avenue, #903, Anchorage, Alaska 99503.