The Sitka District is part of Southeast Alaska, covering Sitka south to Ketchikan and east to the Canada border with a population of about 32,000. Â鶹Դ´ a quarter of the residents across the district are Alaska Native, mostly Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian, although the population of some smaller communities such as Kake, Klawock, and Hydaburg is more than 80 percent Alaska Native. Tourism, mining and fisheries, including mariculture, and a diminishing timber industry drive the local economy. The region is accessible only by boat and plane.
The district offers outreach programs in health, home and family development; and
4-H and youth development.
Looking for a summer camp?
Sitka 4-H has you covered
The Â鶹Դ´ Cooperative Extension Service office in Sitka is planning several youth 4-H camps this summer, as well as some that are open to all. Registration and more information for all camps at . For more information, contact Jasmine Shaw at jdshaw2@alaska.edu or 907-747-9440.
4-H True Leaders: May 27-28, 1-6 p.m.; ages 7-12th grade. True Leaders is a training/camp for teens who are interested in becoming camp counselors and youth leaders at Sitka Spruce Tips 4-H camps. Free.
Muddy Buddies: June 1-5, 9 a.m.-noon; 5-8 year olds. Campers are encouraged to play in the mud while gardening, working on trails, making mud pies and playing mud ball, among other activities. $30.
SCS x SAIL 4-H Kayak Adventure Camp: June 8-11, 1-5 p.m.; ages 10 and older. Partnership between the Sitka Conservation
Society’s 4-H Project and Southeast Alaska Independent Living. Participants will grow
community, have fun, work together and learn safety skills while exploring Sitka Sound
in kayaks. $30
Sitka Tuesday Bike Club: Six-week camp that meets 3-4 p.m. on Tuesday afternoons beginning June 23; 4th grade and older. This is a biking program that helps youth become more confident in their biking skills and gives them a chance to learn in a fun environment. Free.
Cloverbuds Summer Harvest Days: June 29-30, 9 a.m.-noon; ages 5-8. Cloverbuds will harvest berries and seaweed for the Jr. Farmers Marketers to turn into products the following week. $10.
4-H Jr. Farmers Market: July 7-11, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; ages 6th grade and older. Youth will develop food and art products using local ingredients from the forest and garden, and sell them at the farmers market. They will also get visits and tips from local vendors. $30.
Bikepacking: July 16, noon to 11 a.m. July 17; ages 6th grade and older. A fun overnight camp with a bike ride on the Sitka Cross Trail from Starrigavan. Activities include biking, setting up camp, cooking, sleeping (!) and possibly swimming or fishing. $35
4-H Splash Mountain Camp: July 20-24, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; grades 6 and up. Youth will learn to safely recreate, harvest and live on the water and land through outdoor experiences with a focus on water and survival skills. Free.
4-H Art of Nature Camp: Aug. 3-7, 1-5 p.m.; ages K-5. This camp features a mash-up of art and environmental science that encourages creativity and science exploration. Taught by adults and teen leaders from Purdue University. $30.
4-H End of Summer Activity Days: Aug. 10, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. for grades 1-5; Aug. 11, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. grades 6 and up. Daylong adventure with Sitka 4-H at the end of the summer. Location and details TBA. There are two age groups for this all-day camp; make sure you register for the correct one. $35.
Upcoming events
Events
Apr 14
Contact organizer
Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 12 – 1pm
The Â鶹Դ´F Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension will host a series of hourlong lunch seminars. Presentations will focus on engaging people in a conversation about the issues their research surrounds, and will be relatively informal and friendly. Talks will be about 30 minutes long, with plenty of time for questions and conversations. Register using the or visit .
During these seminars, researchers will present ideas to inspire interdisciplinary collaboration and build relationships around Alaska&/ces/districts/sitka/39;s food systems.
Researchers and students at Â鶹Դ´, other circumpolar institutions, and land-grant university Experiment Stations are invited to listen to IANRE researchers present ideas that spark curiosity and inspire new pathways forward.
While the seminars will focus on agriculture in the sub-Arctic and Arctic, the broader aim is to create a space for connection and dialogue, ultimately strengthening research across disciplines to support the circumpolar food system.
For more information, contact Laura Weingartner at lgweingartner@alaska.edu or 907-474-6009.
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made five business days in advance to Alda Norris amnorris2@alaska.edu or 907-474-7120. Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information, will be provided free of charge to individuals with limited English proficiency upon request to amnorris2@alaska.edu.
This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture&/ces/districts/sitka/39;s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Categories: Public events calendar - Fairbanks, Cooperative Extension calendar, Anchorage CES calendar, Bethel CES calendar, Bristol Bay/Dillingham CES calendar, Delta Junction CES calendar, Southeast CES calendar, Kenai/Soldotna CES calendar, Kodiak CES calendar, Mat-Su/Copper River CES calendar, Northwest/Nome CES calendar, Sitka CES calendar, Fairbanks/Tanana CES calendar
Could this event have 200 or more attendees? There are campus considerations for large events.: FALSE
Apr 15
Â鶹Դ´F online/virtual event, Contact organizer
Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 12 – 1pm
Mariculture &/ces/districts/sitka/8212; the cultivation of marine life such as shellfish and seaweeds &/ces/districts/sitka/8212; is an emerging and expanding sector in Alaska.
In this free presentation, Melissa &/ces/districts/sitka/8220;Missy&/ces/districts/sitka/8221; Good, a mariculture specialist with Alaska Sea Grant, will provide an overview of Alaska&/ces/districts/sitka/8217;s mariculture industry and its role in strengthening coastal economies and food security. She will highlight which species are being cultivated, including kelp and shellfish, and explore how these products move from sea to table. In addition to being nutritious foods, kelp and other seaweeds are used in a wide range of products, including fertilizers, animal feeds, biostimulants, food ingredients, and emerging biomaterials &/ces/districts/sitka/8212; creating new economic opportunities beyond direct consumption.
Missy is based in Kodiak at the Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center and also serves in a leadership role for the Alaska Mariculture Research and Training Center. Through this work, she advances statewide initiatives and collaborates with community members, industry partners, Alaska Native tribes and corporations, seafood processors, community leaders, and regulators to support sustainable mariculture development in Alaska.
Where: Zoom. Register using the or visit .
For more information, contact Molly Johansson at 907-786-6313 or mjohansson@alaska.edu
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made five business days in advance to Alda Norris at amnorris2@alaska.edu or 907-474-7120. Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information, will be provided free of charge to individuals with limited English proficiency upon request to amnorris2@alaska.edu.
This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture&/ces/districts/sitka/8217;s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Categories: Public events calendar - Fairbanks, Cooperative Extension calendar, Anchorage CES calendar, Bethel CES calendar, Bristol Bay/Dillingham CES calendar, Delta Junction CES calendar, Southeast CES calendar, Kenai/Soldotna CES calendar, Kodiak CES calendar, Mat-Su/Copper River CES calendar, Northwest/Nome CES calendar, Sitka CES calendar, Fairbanks/Tanana CES calendar
Could this event have 200 or more attendees? There are campus considerations for large events.: FALSE
Apr 16
Matanuska Experiment Farm & Extension Center Kerttula Hall 206
Thursday, April 16, 2026, 12 – 1pm
Brandi Jo Nyberg will discuss methods, systems and tools used for biointensive, diversified vegetable production in a lunchtime presentation.
Biointensive farming involves maximizing small acreage to produce large amounts of food, with care for the soil at its core. Methods discussed will include bed sizing and spacing, essential tools, interplanting, and soil/plant health.
Brandi Jo Nyberg is the owner of Sauntering Roots Farm, a diversified vegetable operation that grows more than 30 varieties with less than an acre in production.
This class will be held in person at the Â鶹Դ´F Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center, 1509 S. Georgeson Drive, Palmer, as well as via Zoom.&/ces/districts/sitka/160;&/ces/districts/sitka/160;
Register using the or visit .
For more information, contact the Matanuska Experiment Farm front desk at 907-745-3360.
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made five business days in advance to Alda Norris at&/ces/districts/sitka/160;amnorris2@alaska.edu&/ces/districts/sitka/160;or 907-474-7120. Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information, will be provided free of charge to individuals with limited English proficiency upon request to&/ces/districts/sitka/160;amnorris2@alaska.edu.
This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture&/ces/districts/sitka/39;s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Categories: Public events calendar - Fairbanks, Cooperative Extension calendar, Anchorage CES calendar, Bethel CES calendar, Bristol Bay/Dillingham CES calendar, Delta Junction CES calendar, Southeast CES calendar, Kenai/Soldotna CES calendar, Kodiak CES calendar, Mat-Su/Copper River CES calendar, Northwest/Nome CES calendar, Sitka CES calendar, Fairbanks/Tanana CES calendar
Could this event have 200 or more attendees? There are campus considerations for large events.: FALSE
Events
Phone: 907-747-9440
Email: sitka.ces@alaska.edu
Our office is located in the Â鶹Դ´S Sitka campus building in room 211.