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 Contact Us:
 admissions@alaskapacific.edu
 907.561.1266
 
 4101 University Drive
 Anchorage, AK 99508
 
 
 

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Summer Visit

Registration Forms

Please remember that your spot will not be confirmed or held until we have received your payment and contacted you.

All three of these forms will need to be mailed/faxed to the Admissions Office prior to your trip.

• Registration Form
• Health Form
• Participant Agreement

After reading the Release of Liability you may be a little apprehensive about participating in a Summer Visit trip. The release describes many of the dangers posed by outdoor recreation in Alaska. It is important to understand some of the more common dangers and understand some appropriate group behavior while in the field.

Please take the time to read over the following information (or download here) and feel free to ask us any questions you may have. Thanks!

Some things to consider when evaluating if an outdoor trip is right for you:

Participant Responsibilities:

• Please accurately and completely furnish any and all personal information requested on the Medical Health Form
• Carefully review all information furnished about the trip, and please, ask questions if you have a specific concerns
• Understand as thoroughly as possible the physical and mental demands of the outing as well as possible risks and acknowledge and accept those risks to be encountered on the trip
• Properly equip yourself in accordance with the recommendations of the Alaska Pacific University staff
• Follow Minimum Impact practices and safety guidelines established by the trip leaders and the land management agencies
• Respect the customs of locales we will be traveling to
• Always respect the rights and privacy of other trip members

Since our outings travel in small groups (11 maximum), we have found that all it takes is one person disregarding policy to create a negative experience for the whole group. Our leaders do not enjoy being disciplinarians, but will take action when someone is jeopardizing the safety of others and ultimately the future of our program. At the leader's discretion, a trip member may be asked to leave the trip if the leaders feel the person's further participation (or lack of) may be detrimental to the outing or to others. In this case, the excluded person will be responsible for all additional costs related to leaving the trip.

Minimum Impact: Because of the remoteness of most of these trips, we expect everyone participating to be knowledgeable and comfortable with practicing minimum impact paddling and camping skills. On some of the trips there will be no bathroom facilities, garbage cans, designated camping areas, etc. Everything we pack in will be packed out. All trip members will be required to practice minimum impact skills while on the trip. Specific procedures for brushing your teeth, disposing of your personal garbage, backcountry bathroom skills, packing out your toilet paper, washing your hands, etc. will be discussed and demonstrated at both your pre-trip meetings and on the trip.

More information about the risks associated with outdoor adventures in Alaska: Now that you and your parents have read our risk and release waiver you might be wondering about the decapitation line, or the poisonous venom line. This sheet is a useful way to explain some of the more common and or scariest risks associated with our summer visits and steps we take to mitigate those risks. This sheet is not meant to scare or intimidate you but merely to inform you so you can make an informed decision regarding your summer visit. We do everything that we can to limit risks taken in the field, however, risk is inherent in summer visit trips. Adventure travel has inherent risks of injury and/or death. These risks contribute to the "adventure" and "challenge" of our outings. Some of our outings have prerequisites of being able to swim and/or a suggested fitness level which the participant is responsible for having. Any person participating on an Alaska Pacific University outing is personally responsible for his/her own safety.

Most of our outings take place in remote areas where environmental conditions are uncontrollable. Our leaders will try hard to make you aware of potential hazards, both human and environmental; however, no one can be expected to be aware of everything. Safety is an individual and group responsibility because one person's careless injury often results in more hardship for the rest of the group (not just his/her own). Please, before signing up, we strongly request that you carefully read and understand our Assumption of Risk Waiver.

All of our guides are at least CPR and 1st Aid certified. All of our guides have years of Alaska backcountry experience and have been briefed on Risk Management Procedures and Policies. In the event of an accident, illness, injury or missing trip member, the leaders of your outing will attempt to provide first aid and arrange search and evacuation assistance when determined necessary. All trips will be furnished with first aid kits and emergency communication devises, however, communication devises are not guaranteed to work nor are the guaranteed to bring help as quickly as it may be needed.

Some inherent and common dangers associated with these trips include:

Bears: During our trips there is a high possibility that we will encounter black and/or brown bears that are common to South Central Alaska. All groups will be briefed on ways to avoid attracting bears, ways to deter bears who are curious and appropriate reactions and actions in case of an encounter. All groups will be in possession of bear spray, a common deterrent used in the backcountry.

Hypothermia: Participants run the risk of two types of hypothermia, sudden immersion hypothermia and progressive hypothermia. Sudden immersion hypothermia would occur if a student fell into the ocean or a river. All kayaking students will be outfitted with PFD's and required to wear them while on the water. Progressive hypothermia results from exposure to rain and cooler temperatures that slowly lowers the body's core temperature. Participants will be given formal presentations on the causes, signs, and remedies during the pre-trip and reminded throughout their trips. In the case of progressive hypothermia the best cure is prevention which means a high quality rain coat, trying to stay dry, multiple layers of synthetic clothing, remaining well fed and hydrated, and not wearing cotton. All guides are trained in recognizing the signs of hypothermia and administering the appropriate treatment.

Drowning: Participants, especially sea kayaking students, are in circumstances where they could drown. While paddling students will be wearing PFD's and instructed on how to prevent capsizes, and procedures for dealing with a capsize. Guides for the paddling trips will try to minimize the circumstances that would lead to a capsize, and are trained in how to deal with a capsize should it occur.

Medical Emergencies: Strains, sprains, breaks, stomach aches, head aches, colds, flu, etc etc. All medical issues/emergencies will be evaluated and dealt with to the best of the guides capability.

Charter Boats/Other outfitters: Depending on the trip, participants may be taken on a charter boat or led on an excursion by a different outfitter/operator (horse ridding, rafting etc). Alaska Pacific University's summer visit staff strives to choose outfitters that have a safe and established reputation and where necessary are licensed by state and federal authorities.

Transportation: Despite the risks associated with outdoor adventures the most dangerous risk involved in the summer visit trips is the transportation risk associated with 15 passenger vans. All of our drivers are over 21, have a current Alaska Drivers License, have participated in van safety lessons and evaluations. Additionally, student will be required to wear safety belts at all times.

In no way does this cover all of the risks associated with the summer visit trips or the training, and background of the guides, but it should give you a better idea of the common risks associated with these trips. Our guides pride themselves on being available to answer any questions regarding risks or certain trips and or activities and we will gladly talk to you and your parents about these risks at any time before or during the trip.

All students and parents will be contacted by the lead guide for the trip before they leave home to discuss clothing, food concerns, risks, and any health issues that may be present.

We strive to provide students with safe, fun, and enjoyable trips that they will remember for years to come. To accomplish this goal participants take on a high level of personal responsibility to make smart, safe, and responsible decisions that do not place themselves or the group in any form of danger. Trip leaders are there to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for participants to make the appropriate decision and to offer support, information and guidance when necessary. As individuals and a team we can make your summer visit trip the trip of a lifetime.

Please feel free to contact Jason if you have any questions or concerns about this sheet or any of the materials, and activities associated with the summer visit trips and Alaska Pacific University.

Please note: Wilderness travel and recreation have inherent risks, especially with conditions present in the state of Alaska. Please carefully review the Participant Agreement form and the statement on the Registration Forms page.