BLM Campbell Creek Science Center welcomes more than 1K students to 50th anniversary Outdoor Week event

ANCHORAGE —The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Campbell Creek Science Center (CCSC) expects more than 1,000 students to take part in the 50th anniversary of Outdoor Week from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. daily, May 7 – 10 at Campbell Tract.  

For 50 years the Bureau of Land Management, Anchorage School District, state, federal, and local partners have teamed up to host Outdoor Week – Alaska’s largest and longest-running outdoor education event – a free program for Anchorage-area sixth grade students.   

 “This is a tremendous opportunity for us to make integral connections with young people and get them excited about natural resource management careers like those found within BLM and other land management agencies,” said Anchorage District Manager William Dunk. “The BLM and our partners’ long-standing involvement in this event exemplifies our commitment to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity on public lands.”  

Through the decades, about 80,000 participants have attended the event, engaged in outdoor activities, fostered stewardship, cultivated interest in resource management-related careers, and immersed themselves in the natural world around them.  

This year, kids will participate in activities revolving around renewable energy, gold panning, bear safety, archaeology, birding and fly-tying and casting. These activities will be in the form of stations for kids to visit and learn from subject matter experts across multiple fields.

The event is coordinated by the BLM Campbell Creek Science Center in partnership with the Anchorage School District’s Science Department, and presenters from the National Park Service, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and Gold Panning Association of Alaska. Funding from the Friends of the Campbell Creek Science Center and the Bureau of Land Management provide bus transportation for students from underserved schools.    

The education event takes place on trails and along the creeks of the BLM Campbell Tract, a 730-acre parcel of public land in the heart of Anchorage. Campbell Tract is home to the BLM’s Anchorage District and Field offices, Campbell Creek Science Center, Alaska State Office warehouse, Campbell Airstrip, and 12 miles of public recreation trails.   

The event occurs rain or shine and may bring periods of increased trail use, noise, and other disruptions. As a reminder to visitors on Campbell Tract, all pets are required to be always on leash.  

The Campbell Creek Science Center engages all learners in outdoor experiences that increase appreciation, connection, and stewardship of Alaska’s public lands and natural resources. For more information on the Campbell Creek Science Center and the programming it offers, please visit the CCSC’s webpage.