Community Engagement Summer Camp
hosted by Hope's Community Engagement Center
What is Hope's Summer Camp?
Hope's Community Engagement Center Summer Camp is open to children, teenagers, and young adults ages 9–21 and is inclusive of campers with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our Camp staff create a safe, supportive, and engaging environment where every camper can participate fully, build meaningful connections, and enjoy a summer filled with fun and educational activities, community excursions, and true-Alaskan adventures.
Our team of Community Engagement Specialists brings this mission to life by leading a wide range of engaging activities that encourage creativity, movement, teamwork, and self-expression. Staff work directly with campers to adapt activities as needed, provide encouragement, and ensure that every camper feels supported, valued, and included. As a member of our Summer Camp team, you will play an important role in helping campers discover abilities they didn't know they had, build lasting friendships, and enjoy a fun, enriching summer in a community that celebrates inclusion.
We look forward to welcoming you and your camper to our Community Engagement Summer Camp and partnering with you to make summer 2026 a memorable, enriching experience for everyone!
How much does Camp cost?
Camp fees vary based on funding and participation. Families receiving Medicaid services through an active Hope Waiver are responsible for paying $200 per week per camper. Families who do not have waivered services through Hope are responsible for $650 per week, which includes all camp fees, community excursions, and hourly service costs; families who enroll two or more children as private pay participants will receive a $200 per child per week discount. Please note that additional fees may apply depending on weekly activities, and limited financial assistance may be available for families who demonstrate financial need.
Enrollment is limited to ensure quality programming and individualized support, so we encourage families to apply early.
Application process
Hope partners with CampBrain to manage Summer Camp applications, registration, and financial aid requests. To get started, families must submit an application for each camper they would like to attend camp.
During the application process, you will be asked to provide basic camper information, select your funding source (which determines the weekly cost), indicate whether you need to request financial aid, and choose the weeks you would like your camper to attend. You will also review and complete required camp policies, agreements, and forms as part of the application.
A non-refundable deposit is required at the time of submitting your application to secure your camper’s spot. The deposit will be applied toward the total Camp fee. If your application is approved, you will receive a notification with instructions on how to complete your registration and submit payment. You will have the option to choose a payment method and plan that works best for you. All balances must be paid in full by the final due date.
Please note: Submitting an application does not guarantee a spot in Summer Camp. After your application is submitted, it will be reviewed by our team. Prior to the start of Camp, you will be notified if your application has been approved, along with the total cost to attend (including any approved financial aid, if applicable) and detailed instructions for completing registration and submitting payment.
2026 Summer Camp
June 8 - July 31, 2026
Monday through Friday | 10:00am - 4:00pm
650 W International Airport Rd, Anchorage
Apply for Hope's 2026 Summer Camp
2026 Weekly Activities
Each year's Summer Camp features new and unique experiences, outings, and adventures. Below is the planned schedule of weekly activities for this year's Summer Camp.
Week 1: Here Comes the Fun
June 8 - 12
Celebrate the start of summer with all the essential camp activities: exploring waterfalls and parks, designing custom camp gear, tie dyeing, kayaking, and creating a ceramic piece to take home. Make new friends and start getting into the summer groove!
Week 2: Tents, Trails, and Tales
June 15 - 19
Calling all Junior Rangers! We will explore, create, camp out, and chill out! Set up a campsite, build a fire with s’mores, create character puppets for a campfire puppet show, and learn about conservation and natural science at the Wildlife Conservation Center and Campbell Creek Science Center.
Week 3: All Aboard!
June 22 - 26
Welcome to Hope’s all-inclusive journey to FUN! This week is all about wheels, wings, and traveling together. Explore the city on a Trolley Tour, learn about Anchorage’s aviation legacy, and visit with our local fire department as they give a firetruck tour. Build and design your own track car to race with friends, and explore local parks and trails in search of the perfect racetrack.
Week 4: It's All Fun and Games
June 29 - July 3
Bring out your competitive side with a week full of games leading up to our 4th of July barbecue! Test your swimming skills at H2Oasis, go with the flow kayaking, aim for a strike at the bowling alley, whack all the moles at Chuck E Cheese, and dance it out at our summer barbecue party!
Week 5: Where the Wild Things Are
July 6 - 10
Musk ox, billy-goats, and bears, oh my! Step into the wild and make a furry friend as we learn about the wonderful creatures of Alaska. We will venture to the Musk Ox Farm, the Alaska Museum, the Anchorage Zoo, and our own Willow Ranch. Unleash your inner animal by creating animal masks and other wild accessories.
Week 6: All About Alaska
July 13 - 17
Juneau what time it is? Adventure time! Bring on the adventure as we appreciate all that our beautiful state has to offer. We will learn about our state's history, feel through art, and engage in classic Alaska past-times like hiking, kayaking, and sight-seeing. We will visit the Reindeer Farm, the Anchorage Museum, and the Alaska Native Heritage Center.
Week 7: Enchanted Adventures
July 20 - 24
"Come with me and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination!" Flaunt your creativity and imagination as we create mesmerizing sensory bottles, science experiments, garden fairy houses, and your own character costume. Test your luck on a treasure scavenger hunt and find magic in nature as we explore more parks and natural wonders. We will visit the Flying Horse Equestrian Center and the Byron Glacier trail.
Week 8: Flora Borealis
July 27 - 31
The last week of camp will be full of un-beet-able and unbe-leaf-able fun in nature! We will stop and smell the roses at the Alaska Botanical Garden, pick produce at the Pioneer Peak Farm, and get lost in nature at the Eagle River Nature Center. At the end of the week, we will celebrate our summer of fun with an end-of-camp karaoke dance party!
We hope to see you there!
Apply to attend Hope's 2026 Summer Camp
Sponsor a Child to Attend Summer Camp
Would you consider making a donation to our Summer Camp? Your generous contribution will open the door for youth and young adults in our community to access educational experiences through our Summer Camp program. Every summer, our campers experience a journey of creativity, adventure, and discovery. From hands-on educational activities and outdoor exploration to artistic expression and team-building experiences, Camp is a place where young people grow, connect, and thrive.
But not every family can afford the cost of Camp. That’s where you come in.
By donating to our Summer Camp Scholarship Fund, you make it possible for children—regardless of financial circumstances—to attend Camp and build memories that last a lifetime. Your support provides access to a safe, enriching, and inspiring environment where every camper can learn, play, and belong.
Hope is Hiring—Join Our Summer Camp Team!
Hope is hiring for Summer Camp! Do you—or someone you know—have a passion for working with youth and creating meaningful, joyful experiences? We are looking for caring, enthusiastic people to help create a full, inclusive camp experience for children, teens, and young adults who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Community Engagement Specialists earn an hourly wage based on their previous experience, paid training, and guaranteed full-time hours throughout the summer. Camp staff lead and support a variety of Summer Camp activities, including recreation, outdoor play, creative arts, community excursions, and skill-building experiences. Camp staff support campers in developing daily living, social, and communication skills while using inclusive teaching methods that encourage participation, self-confidence, and independence.
In return, you’ll make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, build lifelong connections, work alongside a supportive team, and experience a once-in-a-lifetime Alaskan summer adventure!
If you know someone who would be a great fit, we encourage you to share this opportunity with them. You can direct them to apply using the link below, or send us their name and contact information so we can reach out directly. We would love to connect with passionate individuals who want to make this summer truly special for our campers.
Apply to join our Summer Camp team
Questions? Contact Hope's Community Engagement Center at 907-433-1700 or [email protected].
