GIRLS* ON
WATER
Expedition runs from July 18 - July 29, 2025!
Explore Kachemak Bay
Lush forests - above and below water - sea otters floating about, and the occasional whale cruising by will set the scene as we explore Kachemak Bay in Southcentral Alaska. This expedition focuses on exploring the interface between land and ocean and how humans fit into this unique ecosystem. Using sea kayaks to explore the coasts of Kachemak Bay, the expedition will emphasize local ecology and broad scale environmental issues, using science and art and tools for observation and inquiry.
Itinerary
Every year, the day-to-day details of the expedition will change due to weather or other circumstances. Here’s a snippet of the basic itinerary:
Day 1: Participants arrive in Homer; the group travels to the Kasitsna Bay Laboratory via water taxi.
Day 2: Team stays at the Kasitsna Bay Laboratory with a full day to learn about expedition gear, basic navigation, and kayaking skills.
Day 3: The team kayaks to the backcountry camp while exploring the shores along the way.
Day 4-9: We will take on science and art inquiry activities while becoming competent kayak explorers in Kachemak Bay.
Day 10: The team kayaks back to Kasitsna Bay Laboratory
Day 11: Science project wrap-up and preparation of the presentations; in the evening we will travel to Homer to share the project results and the expedition experience with the Homer community
Day 12: Last morning together to have some final activities and reflections. Departure to Homer airport.
Want to get an idea of what Girls* on Water looks like? Check out this video from our 2019 expedition in Homer, Alaska:
The Girls* on Water program takes place on the shores of Kachemak Bay and spans traditional lands of both the Dena’ina and Alutiiq/Sugpiaq people. Both coastal-dwelling groups have subsisted off the ocean in this area for thousands of years. Using our contemporary sea kayaks, we will be benefiting in particular from the ingenuity of the Alutiiq/Sugpiaq people, who traveled, fished and hunted using skin-covered qayat (kayaks) built by hand.
History
Girls* on Water, a dream inspired by Girls* on Ice, brought marine scientists and kayaking guides together in 2015 to make this program happen. Our vision is to create a program for young women to learn about the marine ecosystem while gaining skills that allow them to explore the coastal realm in a safe and self-reliant manner.
“Throughout the expedition, I learned about my capabilities as a leader. I always tend to doubt myself or strive for perfection, but this program allowed me to grow in a safe space with the tools necessary to surpass my self doubts.
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