August 20 - 27, 2026 (Waitlist Only)

Description: With six full days at Toolik Field Station, we will spend most of our time outside engaged in creative projects, hiking, and learning about some of the research happening at the station. Instruction will cover a variety of art materials and techniques with a focus on tundra plants during the fall color transition. Participants will be guided through texture studies, botanical cyanotypes, and watercolor paintings depicting the fall tundra. This class is open to all, regardless of prior experiences with art, science, or time spent in the outdoors.

Art Adventure: This class is intended to help us connect with our surroundings through curiosity and creative experimentation. This is not a scientific illustration or traditional watercolor class, though we will be carefully studying plants and using watercolor paints in many different ways. There will be daily art demonstrations, ample time to play and create, and indoor space to work independently if desired. An art materials list and recommended gear packing list are provided. 

Hiking and Field Trips: One full day will be dedicated to a longer (optional) hike without art instruction. Movement is integral to my art practice, and it’s an important source of inspiration, connection, and flow. The goal of this day hike will be to move through the land (5-8 miles) while also stopping to notice, play, and immerse in the experience of being in the Arctic in August. There will also be two shorter outings (1-2 miles) along the road corridor, one to the North, and one to walk/hike near Galbraith Lake.

Physical Requirements & Weather: Participants should be prepared to work on creative projects outside while sitting in the tundra,  on rocks, or on narrow boardwalks. We also have the option to work indoors, and we will move inside depending on the weather. While at Toolik, you can expect to regularly walk 1-3 miles a day on rough gravel roads, narrow wooden boardwalks, and up and down stairs to access most buildings and outhouses. All outings are entirely optional. Participants will need to comfortably climb in and out of a truck or 12-passenger van throughout the trip, be able to walk up to 3 miles a day (more if you choose to go on the longer hike!) on uneven terrain, and be able to navigate stairs.

The weather in the Arctic can be unpredictable. Please be prepared for mosquitoes, sun, rain, snow, wind, and everything in between. A recommended gear list will be provided in March, and we’ll go over gear, art supplies, and weather considerations, and answer questions at a pre-trip meeting in Fairbanks/Zoom (date TBD).

We also encourage participants to explore the Toolik website (uaf.edu/toolik/) and the Toolik Naturalist Journal. Browsing entries is a great way to get a sense of what to expect in terms of weather and wildlife.

***If you have questions concerning the physical requirements, please contact Summer Sessions.

The Toolik Field Station (TFS) is a research station operated and managed by the Institute of Arctic Biology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) with cooperative agreement support from the Office of Polar Programs, Directorate for Geosciences at the National Science Foundation (NSF). TFS provides housing, meals, laboratories, and science support to researchers and students from across the world. Research support includes GIS and mapping services, technical and IT assistance, shared commonly used equipment, and a collection of standardized environmental data. TFS is located at mile 284.5 of the Dalton Highway, 370 miles north of Fairbanks. Driving to the station takes 9-12 hours and requires travel on a largely unpaved industrial artery that serves operations at Prudhoe Bay.

Program tuition: $2,500, includes roundtrip transportation with Northern Alaska Tour Company from Fairbanks to Toolik Field Station, ground transportation while at TFS, lodging, meals, and instruction with Klara Maisch. Accommodations at the station are comfortable but rustic. Lodging is provided in hard-sided structures and WeatherPort tents. All are outfitted with bed frames and mattresses, as well as simple furniture to store clothes. Depending on the camp population, you may share a room with one or more classmates. Outhouse facilities require walking and stair climbing. Showers are limited to two (very short showers) per person per week. A common shower house serves all of camp, though shower rooms are private. Please explore the TFS website for more information about meals, lodging, and camp life!

A non-refundable $500 deposit is due at registration.
Full tuition is due by May 20, 2026.

If you have traveled with us in recent years, you may already have a CampDoc account. 
If this is your first tour with Summer Sessions, take a look at this "How-To" Document on how to register.

If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to us at summer@alaska.edu or by phone at (907) 474-7021.

September 19 - October 4, 2026

Join us on an incredible journey through the French countryside to admire the landscape, explore the culture, and delve into the rich history of this western European nation. After flying into Nantes, our program begins in Angers, where you will immerse yourself in the history and culture of the Loire Valley. Explore fairytale-like châteaux, stroll medieval hilltop towns, and visit the site of a World War II tragedy. You’ll visit UNESCO World Heritage sites, including a medieval, fortified city, meeting with locals along the way, who will share their culture and cuisine. And you’ll do - and dine - as the French do: Venturing to the French countryside and eating your way through Lyon, France’s culinary epicenter. Then, cap it all off with two nights in chic Paris where you will enjoy the iconic sites of the Eiffel Tower and the River Seine.

Program Tuition:
(per person) Double Occupancy	$8,950
Single Supplement	+$950

There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.
Full tuition is due May 1, 2026.

Inclusions: 24/7 tour director/guide, accommodations, ground transportation, in-country air transfers (when applicable), entry fees, three meals per day, transfer to and from the airport, and gratuities.

Important note:
- Guests must have the ability to walk comfortably for up to 3 miles a day

If you have traveled with us in recent years, you may already have a CampDoc account. 
If this is your first tour with Summer Sessions, take a look at this "How-To" Document on how to register.

If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to us at summer@alaska.edu or by phone at (907) 474-7021.

October 31 - November 13, 2026 (Waitlist Only)

We invite you to discover the culture, beauty, and natural history of Japan while traversing the country from Tokyo to Kyoto on this 14-day adventure. We will witness the art of Sumo wrestling, visit famous Shinto Shrines, and immerse ourselves in the musical experience of Taiko drumming. We'll enjoy the natural beauty of Hakone, where we will discover the world of geisha. The famous bullet train will take us to Kanazawa, where we will learn about the tea ceremony, visit the forested mountain village of Gokayama, and enjoy a home hosted meal. Then, we journey onto Kyoto, where the visit includes the Temple of the Golden Pavilion and Nijo Castle, where we will take a step back into Japan’s feudal past. We travel to Nara, Japan’s capital city in the 8th century, to learn about samurai and experience sushi making with a professional chef. All of this and more, is part of our magical journey to this ancient land.

Program Tuition:
(per person) Double Occupancy	$8,995
Single Supplement	+$1,100

There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.
Full tuition is due May 15, 2026.

Inclusions: 24/7 tour director/guide, accommodations, ground transportation, in-country air transfers (when applicable), entry fees, three meals per day, transfer to and from the airport, and gratuities.

Important note:
- Guests must have the ability to walk comfortably for up to 3 miles a day

If you have traveled with us in recent years, you may already have a CampDoc account. 
If this is your first tour with Summer Sessions, take a look at this "How-To" Document on how to register.

If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to us at summer@alaska.edu or by phone at (907) 474-7021.

December 9 - 13, 2026

Image credit: Mary Cassatt. 1893. The Art Institute of Chicago, Robert A. Waller Fund. Photo by Robert Lifson, The Art Institute of Chicago.

Join us this December for an art-filled trip to Chicago to see Mary Cassatt: After Impressionism at the Art Institute of Chicago. The program will also include visits to the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Chicago Architectural Center, lectures from museum and gallery experts, and classic Chicago activities (think hot dogs and live jazz!).

Program Tuition:
(per person) Double Occupancy	$2750
Single Supplement	+$530
Extra Room Night (12/8)	+$270

There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.
Full tuition is due September 21, 2026.

Inclusions: 24/7 tour director/guide, accommodations, ground transportation, three meals per day, transfer to and from the airport, gratuities, entry fees, and tickets.

Important note:
- Guests must have the ability to walk comfortably for up to 3 miles a day

Register on Friday, August 14 at 10 am

If you have traveled with us in recent years, you may already have a CampDoc account. 
If this is your first tour with Summer Sessions, take a look at this "How-To" Document on how to register.

If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to us at summer@alaska.edu or by phone at (907) 474-7021.

January 31 - February 12, 2027

From the flash of a blue morpho butterfly to the quiet movement of a sloth in the canopy, Costa Rica offers an intimate look at life in the tropics. Journey through rainforests, cloud forests, and coastal landscapes as we explore some of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. Along the way, connect with local communities, learn from knowledgeable guides, and experience the rhythms of daily life in this remarkable country.

As we travel from the Arenal region to the cloud forests of Monteverde, the Pacific coast, and beyond, daily experiences bring these landscapes into focus. Walk across hanging bridges high in the canopy, explore forest trails with expert naturalist guides, and take to the waterways on a wildlife-viewing river excursion. Look for monkeys, sloths, and vibrant birdlife by day, with opportunities to discover the forest’s nocturnal side. Relaxing in nature and meaningful visits with local communities add both balance and depth to this immersive journey.

Please Note: The Tortuguero Add-On is currently full, if you would like to join the waitlist for this extension, please reach out at (907) 474-7021

Program Tuition:
(per person) Double Occupancy	$5,250
Single Supplement	+$600

There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.
Full tuition is due September 30, 2026.

Inclusions: 24/7 tour director/guide, accommodations, ground transportation, in-country air transfers (when applicable), entry fees, three meals per day, transfer to and from the airport, and gratuities.

Important note:
- Guests must have the ability to walk comfortably for up to 3 miles a day
- Proof of travel insurance, including overseas medical coverage and emergency evacuation, is required for this trip.

If you have traveled with us in recent years, you may already have a CampDoc account. 
If this is your first tour with Summer Sessions, take a look at this "How-To" Document on how to register.

If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to us at summer@alaska.edu or by phone at (907) 474-7021.

April 8 - 23, 2027

Springtime in England. What could be more enchanting than lush meadows and fields of flowers? Discover the scenic and cultural treasures of the northern United Kingdom, where natural beauty and rich history go hand in hand. You’ll revel in Great Britain’s diverse charms and witness breathtaking landscapes, including the snowcapped peaks of Welsh Snowdonia, the lakes and mountain fells of England’s Lake District, the green valleys and white cliffs of the Yorkshire Dales (home of All Creatures Great and Small), the beauty of the Scottish Highlands, the Neolithic UNESCO sites in the Orkney Islands, the isle of Skye, the site of the Battle of Culloden, among many other unforgettable destinations.

Program Tuition:
(per person) Double Occupancy	$8,495
Single Supplement	+$750

There is a non-refundable $500 deposit due at registration.
Full tuition is due December 4, 2026.

Inclusions: 24/7 tour director/guide, accommodations, ground transportation, in-country air transfers (when applicable), entry fees, three meals per day, transfer to and from the airport, and gratuities.

Important note:
- Guests must have the ability to walk comfortably for up to 3 miles a day

If you have traveled with us in recent years, you may already have a CampDoc account. 
If this is your first tour with Summer Sessions, take a look at this "How-To" Document on how to register.

If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to us at summer@alaska.edu or by phone at (907) 474-7021.