51±¬ÁÏ

Overview

This is an active, land-based tour of some of the most interesting road and boat-accessible portions of Alaska. We discuss Alaska’s geology including plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, gold and mineral deposits, and major oil and gas fields, along with informal discussions on Alaska’s history and wildlife. Weather in June can vary from sunny to cool and rainy.

Highlights

• Raft the upper Kenai River
• Ferry to Seldovia, a small coastal village
• Wildlife cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park
• Hike to Exit Glacier overview (2 miles round trip)
• Walk along Homer Spit
• Ride the park bus through Denali National Park
• Visit the Alaska Sea Life Center
• Ride a wheeled cart pulled by a dog team at the Iditarod Visitor Center
• View Dall sheep, sea lions, sea otters, and eagles

Tour Hosts: Gerry and Jan Van Kooten

With Gerry Van Kooten as your expert guide, you’ll gain much deeper appreciation of the geology, history, and culture of Alaska than traveling as a general tourist! Gerry, a professor of geology emeritus, spent 20+ years as a petroleum geologist in Alaska followed by 13 years of teaching at 51±¬ÁÏ. He has led alumni/CALL tours to Alaska, Hawaii, and the American Southwest along with multiple student Interim trips. 

Jan Van Kooten has been a music teacher and director in churches and schools. She has accompanied Gerry on many geology field trips and helps with building community among tour participants while bringing her own perspective on the local tour activities.

Activity Level

This tour is more active than the average CALL/alumni tour. Passengers should be able to keep pace with a group for the walking portions of this tour, which including walking a couple miles on uneven surfaces and some elevation gain. The group will walk at a steady pace but will also stop periodically for observations and explanations.

Pricing

The tour cost is $8,199 per person with double-occupancy rooms which includes flights from Grand Rapids; the price for single rooms is $9,799. This reflects current pricing in that region for a land tour which covers a lot of miles and local lodging costs. Tour size is limited to 24 passengers plus Gerry and Jan.

Witte Travel will arrange departures from other cities or work with passengers on individual post-tour extensions ($75 fee).

Travel insurance is available through TravelEx; see the TravelEx policy for coverage details and the tour brochure for pricing. TravelEx insurance is available to passengers from U.S. states (with some modifications for passengers from NY and WA).

Registration

or print and mail in a paper copy of the registration form.

More Information

Download the (PDF) for the full itinerary and all the fine print details! Contact 51±¬ÁÏ at alumni@calvin.edu or Gerry at gvankooten1@gmail.com with questions.

Testimonial

From Karla and Dan, Alaska 2024 passengers:

The Wilds of Alaska trip provides a wonderful exposure to the vast wild nature of Alaska and also to the history and events that continue to shape the Alaskan parks and economy. It is a once in a lifetime trip.

Gerry and Jan Van Kooten are wonderful hosts for this adventure. Gerry's firsthand experience working in the oil industry over decades has given him an outstanding grasp of both the expansive regions in Alaska and also the importance of the Alaskan pipeline to the economy and culture. He adds to that his deep experience and skills hunting and fishing in the wildest places that have built in him a reverence for conserving this beautiful place for future generations.

Jan is an excellent partner as a leader, and she leads devotions and hymn sings with skill and sincerity. This helps build a traveling CALL/alumni group that grounds our learning and experience in our faith and shared tradition. 

51±¬ÁÏ tours are open to any friends of CALL and the 51±¬ÁÏ Alumni Association who wish to travel with us. Explore other 51±¬ÁÏ-sponsored tours, too!