• What's it like up there?
  • The Kodiak Baptist Mission is a wonderful place. It takes a special kind of person to surrender a summer to the Lord and come all the way to this relatively remote Alaskan city and it more than shows in the staff and counselors. Kodiak and Alaska in general are a lot more modern than you may be thinking. There is a Wal-Mart up the street from the Mission, and the largest U.S. Coast Guard base in the world is about fifteen minutes away. Most of the people and children you will meet are not Eskimos or even natives; the largest minority group is Filipinos. Many of the children who attend KBM's programs are from military families and as such have not always lived in Kodiak. Kodiak kids are just like kids from the 'Lower 48' (as the rest of the U.S. is called).
  • The Day Camp program deals with children in grades 1-8, with a vast majority of the kids coming from grades 1-5. Activities with the kids vary greatly. They include hiking, sea-kayaking, cooking, arts & crafts, fishing, tide pooling, traditional sports (tennis, baseball, basketball, soccer, etc.), and horseback riding. Many of these activities are available to you in your time off, as well as whale watching.
  • Spiritually, you will be leading children in small groups called mentor groups. Mentor group activities also vary and will be explained in greater detail in the Day Camp Manual. Chapel is twice a day for the youth and generally involves the KBM Chaplain and counselors, teaching the kids a story from the Bible in between children's worship songs. There is an adult chapel service every morning, consisting of Bible readings, prayer and worship songs. Attendance at staff chapel is expected unless you are working.
  • If you're concerned about running water, electricity, proper medical care, or any other concern that is readily met in the Lower 48, you needn't be. There is, of course, running water and electricity, and the nearest hospital is about one hundred feet from the entrance of the Mission. Computers with Internet access are available in all the cottages. Phone cards are available for sale from the office to ensure your friends and family peace of mind as you keep in touch with them.
  • The environment here is awe-inspiring. The arctic rain forest is like a cross between Colorado and the Amazon with the ocean right next to it all. Bald eagles can be seen almost daily; whales, puffins, sea lions and sea otters are not uncommon. The amount of rain makes this one of the greenest places on earth. It truly is a very beautiful and special part of God's creation.
  • In Kodiak, the sun sets at about 10:30 p.m. in May and August. It rises around 5:30 a.m. during this time. As the solstice (June 23) approaches, it sets later and later (it sets around midnight on the solstice) and rises earlier and earlier (about 3:30 - 4:00 a.m.). Almost immediately following the solstice a change can be noticed as the days again begin to shorten.
• What is Tide Pooling?
• In Kodiak the level of the tide makes a huge difference on the landscape of the beach. The tide may come in and go out as much as one hundred feet or 13 vertical feet in the same day. Pools form in the rocks when the tide goes out. Starfish, octopus, krill, sea urchins and other small aquatic life hide out in these pools among the rocks. Tide Pooling is exploring and playing in these pools.
• When do Counselors have free time?
  • It varies from day to day, but you will usually not be required to be at work before 7:30 a.m. or after 5:30 p.m. Occasionally parents are late and there is a weekly staff meeting that begins at 5:30 p.m. Some evenings or weekends you may need to do some planning for the following week. Depending on how you manage your time you should be able to enjoy most evenings and weekends.
• If I come as a counselor to KBM, what will I need to bring?
  • You will need adequate clothing, spending money, toiletries, and whatever equipment (camping, fishing, hiking, etc.) you may want for the time you are here. The average temperature in the summer hovers between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. It rains about 50% of the time and is often cloudy or foggy when not raining. You will want enough spending money for personal effects, gifts and other sundry items (suggested amount is $100 per month). Equipment such as backpacks, sleeping bags, kayak gear (i.e. paddling jackets, wet suits), and camp stoves are necessary if you plan to participate in these activities at a more serious level. Sea-Kayaks and paddling gear, horses and vans (for those 21 and older) are also available. The Mission does have a few tents (4-6 person) not very conducive to backpacking, so you may want to consider bringing a smaller one.
  • You do not need to bring: detergent, sheets, pillows or towels unless you have very specific preferences for these items.
• How much should it cost me to get to Kodiak?
  • It really depends on where you are coming from. You should be able to find a round trip ticket for approximately $800. Start by looking at www.alaskaair.com. Alaska Airlines flies directly into Kodiak. Other airlines will get you to Anchorage where you will need to connect to ERA Aviation (www.eraaviation.com) or Alaska Airlines. Overnight stays in Anchorage due to weather delays or mechanical problems are not unusual when traveling to Kodiak. Should you find yourself in this situation, KBM will connect you with a local church that provides lodging for such occasions.
• What are the living arrangements?
  • You and the other counselors will live in a cottage similar to a college townhouse. Male and female staff is separated by living in different cottages or on separate floors of the same cottage. Residential Directors live on the main floor and supervise the living arrangements of summer staff. Staff will be expected to participate in weekly cleaning chores. Many guests and former residents visit unexpectedly and want to see where they used to live. Staff is expected to keep the house neat and clean so that a good image may be presented to these guests.
• Is the Kodiak Baptist Mission affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention?
  • No. Kodiak Baptist Mission is an institution of the American Baptist Churches, USA.

   

   

   

  Adapted from an article written by D. Scoggins

  Summer Counselor 2000

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Kodiak Baptist Mission
1944 Rezanof Drive
Kodiak, Alaska 99615

Phone: 907-486-4126
Fax: 907-486-5567