The Matanuska Outdoor Institute strives to inspire personal growth, a deeper connection with the outdoors, and authentic experiences. MOI Alaska commits to exceptional support and high quality individually focused learning.
Things to know about our program
Who we are
Our instructors are outdoor professionals as well as educators, so we are able to provide not just experiential opportunities to our participants, but are able to effectively teach the outdoor skills necessary for success.
In addition to our team of professional educators, MOI is backed, trained and operated under the guidance of the outdoor professionals of MICA Guides. For over 20 years, MICA Guides has helped thousands of visitors explore and challenge themselves with zero major injuries or incidents.
Where we are
Our off-grid campus and surroundings above the Matanuska River provide us with an ideal setting for Place Based Education. Our location provides a classroom filled with challenges and opportunities for teens to put aside modern devices and tools, participate in building camp, navigate the backcountry, cross rivers and glaciers, climb rock and ice, cook for a group, prepare meals for their new community, assess outdoor problems on their own and make decisions with their team.
Our standard pick-up and drop off location is in Palmer, Alaska approximately 45 miles from Anchorage. But we understand students may be flying into Anchorage or it may be difficult or inconvenient to bring your teen to Palmer from Anchorage.
If this is the case you may select an Anchorage pick up for a small additional fee when you’re booking the course online.
Learn about flying to Anchorage in our FAQ.
What we do
We use adventures such as hiking, ice climbing on a glacier, backcountry navigation and river crossings to not only learn skills but to develop confidence, self-reliance, teamwork and communication skills.
Sure it’s fun, we’re not a boot camp. But we’re also not a typical summer camp.
How we teach
We believe that nature is the ultimate teacher. It provides the perfect classroom filled with natural challenges and natural rewards.
At MOI students will learn from the mountains, rivers, and glaciers that surround our campus to build a deeper connection with the outdoors.
Our instructors value the power of the group and leverage restorative practices during our classes and meetings to create a strong community where everyone feels valued and can take risks in a supportive environment.
How we live
Our Base Camp overlooking the glacier provides the basics of shelter, food and some comforts to learn and work together.
Each team of students is able to contribute to improving the camp for their own comfort and that of future classes.
Building and cooking with fire, hauling water, setting up shelters and planning meals together are key elements of the day to day learning opportunities.
About Risk
MOI instructors provide opportunities for risk taking in order for youth to develop resilience, leadership skills, and competence in the outdoors.
We put students in these supported yet vulnerable educational situations while participating in our adventures.
Our goal is for a student to leave our program feeling more confident and capable.
More about Risk.
Costs
What's not included
Tuition does not include:
- Any transport costs to Palmer, Alaska.
- Any expenses you may incur for extra snack or specialty foods, laundry, showers, souvenirs etc.
- Emergency evacuation or medical care beyond that administered by the staff of MOI.
- Accommodation and meal expense before or after trip dates as outlined in the booking.
- Required personal equipment in accordance with the provided gear list.
- Replacing a student’s lost or broken gear.
- Additional costs associated with delayed, interrupted or cancelled transportation.
What's included
Tuition includes:
- Transportation to and from Palmer at the start and end of the course.
- All instruction, permits, entry fees and local transportation planned as part of the program.
- Group gear such as kitchen equipment, technical gear, tents, shelters, and climbing equipment.
- All meals and snacks from dinner on Day 1 through lunch on the last day.
Cancellations and Refunds
We strive to be reasonable people. Requests for refunds based on legitimate life issues will be considered for 100% refunds up until 14 days prior to the start date.
Cancellations for other reasons can be made with 100% refund prior to 30 days before the start date.
No refunds within 14 days of the start date.
Pay it Forward
We work hard to make our courses possible for a wide range of students by working with programs to secure tuition funding.
When booking online you can add a donation to help another student attend.
The Matanuska Outdoor Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and your donation may be tax deductible.
Scholarships Available
We want our courses to be accessible to everyone.
Generous donations from our community make this program possible. Thanks to our partners, we are able to offer discounts for a limited number of students. They can’t last forever, so take advantage of them while supplies last! Sponsors and scholarship amounts will change each month, and the closer it gets to summer, the smaller the discount.
Until the end of April, book online and use the code mica30 to save 30% on your tuition.
