Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect on a HoWL trip?
On a HoWL trip, participants can expect to learn outdoors skills in a hands-on fashion, play games, and explore Alaskan wilderness spaces. All overnights feature tent-camping in areas ranging from developed campsites to rustic HoWL-made camps. On HoWL trips, participants have opportunities to take on leadership responsibilities and help HoWL Instructors make decisions based on group interests. HoWL is also challenge by choice, meaning that we encourage all participants to try new skills and activities and to step out of their comfort zones, but also offer flexibility for participants to choose when and how they challenge themselves.
What kind of gear do I need and where can I buy/rent gear that I do not already have?
HoWL provides all group gear for expeditions, including tents, cookware, bear-safety equipment, emergency communication devices and specialized trip-specific gear, such as rock-climbing equipment or kayaks. Each HoWL expedition also has a specific gear list, which is emailed after registration for that trip, and includes the personal clothes and gear participants need to pack for the trip. If you do not have all of the items on the gear list, most gear can be borrowed from HoWL. If you choose to purchase items, HoWL Instructors would be happy to offer recommendations for quality gear and retailers.
What kind of food do you eat on a HoWL expedition?
Instead of relying on pre-made, freeze-dried food, HoWL groups carry meal ingredients and prepare/cook food on expeditions. Meals vary depending on whether we are base-camping or backpacking, and on the planned itinerary and activities. Before every HoWL expedition, HoWL Instructors will ensure all participant food allergies and dietary restrictions are accommodated in the meal plan.
What is your cancelation policy?
HoWL requires a $50 deposit to complete registration for a program. This deposit is non-refundable, but goes toward the total expedition cost. Cancellations made 30+ days prior to the start of an expedition will receive a full refund (minus the deposit). Cancellations made 15 days - 29 days prior to start of a program will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations made 14 days or less prior to the start of camp are nonrefundable.
Can I get a scholarship to attend a HoWL expedition?
HoWL offers three ways for participants to obtain a scholarship for a HoWL expedition. HoWL scholarships must be applied for prior to the start of the expedition.
HoWLers can earn a partial or full scholarship by participating in HoWL’s DiRtBaG spring trash clean-up and collecting pledge money from community members for the trash they pick up. When DiRtBaG pledge money is submitted to HoWL, a scholarship of equal amount is applied toward a participant’s HoWL expedition.
HoWLers can submit an application for a partial or full needs-based scholarship. Need-based scholarship applications are considered on a rolling basis until all scholarship funds for the season have been awarded.
HoWLers can submit an application for the David Cosman Award, which encourages recipients to pursue their outdoor interests by providing a full scholarship to attend both a HoWL expedition and a Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies program.
For more information on scholarships or to submit an application, please visit our scholarship page.
