A 2024 Ketchikan Grant Recipient for Ketchikan Summer Youth Programing
The Summer Work Program provided participants with more than just work experience; it also offered opportunities to engage in recreational and community-based activities. As part of our “Fun Fridays,” students had the chance to explore local outdoor attractions and participate in activities that fostered enjoyment, teamwork, and a deeper connection with their natural surroundings.
Last year, these outings included spending time at the beach, kayaking, and enjoying the campgrounds. These experiences allowed the students to unwind and connect with nature in ways that many of them had not previously experienced. A particularly moving observation was how these outings became a rare opportunity for some students to simply be kids—playing on the beach, hunting for crabs, or exploring the woods. It was remarkable to see a transformation as moments of toughness gave way to childlike wonder and joy in such natural settings.
These experiences proved to be profoundly rewarding, both for the participants and for those of us who worked hard to make the program a success. Witnessing the joy and excitement these activities brought to the students reaffirmed the importance of incorporating recreational elements into the program. These moments of discovery, laughter, and connection made all the effort behind organizing the program more than worthwhile, demonstrating the value of balancing work with play to create well-rounded, meaningful experiences.
We are excited to see the outcomes this next summer with the camp, as well as, the next summer work program.