Tails from the Trail- Adaptations Sled dogs are a group of amazing athletes, some of the best in the world. But how do these dogs survive and thrive in the coldest weather of Alaska? Over time, nature has allowed dogs to have developed physical characteristic or behaviors that help them survive. These are called adaptations. …
Tails from the Trail: Dog of the Month! Dogs touch our lives in so many ways. Their love and devotion to their humans, and our love to them. Jeff Deeter, of Black Spruce Dog Sledding and three-time Iditarod finisher, shares one of his special dogs. “Qarth is a dog unlike any other that I have had …
Alaska is one of the most beautiful places. When asked about my trips to Alaska, I describe it as something you could never imagine. Like out of a storybook, picturesque. Not only is the scenery beautiful, but also watching the mushers, volunteers, pilots, teachers, veterinarians, and everyone involved in the Iditarod working together. It’s like …
Tails from the Trail! It is that time of summer when I start to think about the upcoming year. July is over, and the August build-up is here. What will my new class be like? How am I going to start the school year? What will I change from last year or keep the same? …
It’s hard to believe that summer camp is ending. Thank you, Diane, Kim, and Sara, for everything you have done. It has been a memorable week! The collaboration and teamwork that has happened this week have been amazing. We have not only worked together through many presentations and interactive projects but also have taken many …
The 2020 Iditarod season has officially started! Today was the musher’s sign up and volunteer picnic. Laura Neese was the first musher to sign up for the 2020 Iditarod. This will be Laura’s second Iditarod; her first was in 2017. Not only was it fun to see who was signing up, but it was great …
This morning we had to say goodbye to Dream a Dream Dog Farm. Thank you to Vern, Susan, Cindy, Cassie, and Dan for a fantastic time. It was sad to say goodbye, but what great memories we will take with us! Until next summer camp…. Our journey continued to Chas St. George’s (Interim CEO of …
Today we toured the Musk Ox Farm in Palmer. We enjoyed walking through the fields learning about their history and see them in action! Interestingly, the musk ox have made a return to Alaska after becoming extinct to these lands in 1865. With the help of Greenland in 1930, thirty-four musk oxen were brought back …
Today we traveled to the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage. As we walked through the doors, I was immediately drawn to the gathering place in the center of the Heritage Center. There was a demonstration of the Alaska Native Games beginning. These athletic games are based on power, balance, and focus. As the students …
Teamwork, Collaboration, and Creativity! The day started with Vern Halter, teaching us how to harness and bootie the dogs and having a harnessing and bootie competition. It was a lot of fun and made me reflect upon the mushers on the trail. How many times and how fast they must have to change booties on …
