A group of children sits in a cabin with rain pelting the roof while a park ranger organizes a game for them. The game serves to prime the kids’ senses for the next activity: a hunt for invertebrates on the banks of the Niukluk River. They ventured out in groups of three, turning over rocks and splashing through the water in their search for bugs and worms. When the hunt came to an end, some of the kids returned to the warmth of the cabin, while others asked if they could go for a swim. A little rain could not dampen their Alaskan spirits or slow them down.
Such was the scene at this summer’s camp CRAVE, the brainchild of longtime Nome resident and former KNOM volunteer Danielle Sem. Amid budget cuts at several local organizations in 2013, Sem teamed up with other community leaders to create a new, joint program. Their collaboration resulted in Camp CRAVE – culture, recreation, active values, and education.
Since 2013, Camp CRAVE and local professional has provided a safe space for children to learn and interact with the environment at little to no cost.
“Offering their knowledge or experience in some area just makes it so much richer for the kids because every adult is different,” Sem says. “You never know who they’re going to connect with, or what information is going to resonate with them.” The camp hosted two groups over two weekends this summer.
