Senior Yukon Trip

The full dates are March 5-15, 2026 and Group 1 will travel March 5-11, 2026 and Group 2 will travel March 8-14, 2026.

Yes. Both groups are in the Yukon at the same time for three overlapping days, March 8–11, 2026. During that window, we plan class-wide touchpoints so the entire grade is together in the Yukon, while still keeping the small-group feel that makes the experience powerful.

Each year, we review all aspects of the Senior Yukon Trip to ensure it continues to be a meaningful, safe, and well-supported experience for every student. After careful reflection with our Yukon partners and SAAS trip leaders, we decided that traveling in two groups allows us to provide the best possible experience, smaller camp communities, smoother travel logistics, and even more connection and reflection time in the backcountry. This approach also helps us align with our partners’ capacity and timing, ensuring that each group enjoys the same hallmark Yukon experience.

No. Senior-only classes will pause during the entire Yukon window and seniors in Group 1 are not expected to attend classes when they return from the trip on March 11. Mixed-grade classes will continue as usual, and students are welcome to attend those if they choose, but it’s optional. Classes will resume for all seniors on Monday, March 16, 2026.

Each year, the vast majority of seniors participate in the Yukon Trip (last year, about 92% of the class attended). For those who do not go, seniors are not expected to attend classes during the trip dates. Senior-only courses will pause during that time, while mixed-grade classes will continue as usual. Seniors who remain in Seattle may choose to attend those mixed-grade classes if they’d like, but participation is optional.

All registration forms are due on December 1, 2025. 

These deadlines are critical for confirming flights, securing accommodations, finalizing group assignments, and ensuring we can honor any special considerations such as medical or dietary needs.

Because of our partnership with Yukon outfitters, travel vendors, and airlines, we are unable to accommodate late submissions. Families will receive email reminders and links to all required forms well in advance—please plan ahead and submit everything by the due date.

If an unexpected challenge arises, reach out to Brandon and/or Andrew as soon as possible so we can problem-solve together before deadlines pass.

Andrew Nicolas, 12th Grade Coordinator
Brandon Hoang, Upper School Dean of Students, 12th Grade

Trip payment charges will be added to your child’s tuition invoice in Veracross in three installments

• December -⅓ total cost of trip  (non-refundable deposit)
• January - ⅓ total cost of trip
• February -⅓ total cost of trip

Deposits are required to secure a student’s place on the trip and to help cover the upfront costs involved in planning. These costs often include booking transportation, accommodations, tickets, and other reservations that must be paid in advance. Requiring a deposit allows SAAS to confirm numbers early and ensure the trip can be organized efficiently and cost-effectively. It also helps us keep the overall trip cost as low as possible by accessing early booking rates and group discounts.

If you normally pay tuition via AutoPay, the trip payments will be collected through that process unless you contact Julie Gommi. For those not using AutoPay, emails will be sent when the charges are available to pay via Veracross.

If you requested Financial Assistance, the grant amount will be communicated via email and then will be reflected on your invoices.

Financial Obligation:

Should participation be cancelled within 45 days of the trip departure, students and parents/guardians, understand the trip payment will not be refunded.
If you have questions about payments, please contact Julie Gommi (jgommi@seattleacademy.org) in the business office. 

Group assignments are made thoughtfully by the Trips and Outdoor Program team in collaboration with senior class leaders, Counseling, Deans, faculty, and our Yukon partners. We take into account a variety of factors such as student interests, balance across advisory and activity groups, and logistics like athletics, performances, and other school commitments. The goal is to create well-rounded, cohesive groups that support both individual connection and the overall class experience. The structure is intentional and past seniors consistently share that meeting new people and forming unexpected connections was one of their favorite parts of the trip.

We understand that friendships are an important part of the SAAS experience, and it’s natural for students to want to travel with certain classmates. However, we don’t take friend requests when forming groups. Part of what makes the Yukon Trip so meaningful is the opportunity to connect with peers they might not normally spend time with. Our team is intentional about creating balanced, positive group dynamics, and historically, students have returned saying that meeting new people was one of the most memorable and rewarding parts of the experience.

Seniors will spend six nights on the shores of Fox Bay and Lake Laberge in the Yukon Territory of Canada, an incredible setting that immerses students fully in the outdoors.

This is an outdoor trip, and our lodgings reflect that! Students stay in a variety of structures, including log cabins, plywood bunkhouses, and platform tents. Each accommodation includes a heat source such as a wood or oil stove, but nights can still get cold — so following the gear guidelines is essential for staying safe and warm.

All camps include private pit toilets with trash receptacles, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer. There are no showers for the duration of the trip, and we review backcountry hygiene practices with students during trip preparation sessions.

There is no electricity on Lake Laberge; none of our camps are connected to the power grid or water lines, and that’s part of the magic. We build fires outdoors, use wood stoves indoors, wear our warm layers, and embrace the simplicity and community that come with unplugging and being in nature together.

Each camp includes a fully stocked cookhouse equipped to prepare three pre-planned meals each day. A rotating crew of students and adults take turns cooking for the group — a highlight of the experience that builds teamwork and shared responsibility.

Meals are thoughtfully planned in advance and incorporate all food sensitivities communicated prior to the trip. We have extensive experience accommodating vegan, vegetarian, and allergy-friendly diets, and we encourage families to share any food-related concerns as early as possible.

Typical meals include pancakes, eggs, or oatmeal for breakfast; soup, sandwiches, or leftovers for lunch; and rice or pasta dishes with a bean or meat protein and fruit or vegetable sides for dinner. Snacks such as protein or granola bars, and hot and cold drink mixes, are always available.

Students are welcome to bring additional snacks or nutrition sources, especially for travel days. There are no opportunities to go to a store during the trip, so packing everything you’ll need ahead of time is important.

The Yukon Trip includes a balance of structured and unstructured time for adventure, exploration, and reflection.

Each day, students can expect at least one structured activity, such as dog mushing, hiking and exploring, ice fishing, or camp service projects (like collecting firewood). Every other day, groups travel on foot from one campsite to another—a few-mile trek that offers time to take in the landscape and connect with peers.

Unstructured time is equally memorable, with favorite activities including watching for the Northern Lights, building snow houses, playing and inventing games on the ice, and spending time around the campfire. Students are encouraged to bring journals, games, art supplies, or other small travel-friendly items to enjoy during downtime.

At designated points in the trip, students also participate in guided conversations and circle time, offering space to reflect on their high school journey and the transition beyond SAAS.

The nature of this trip, wilderness and off-grid, during late winter in the Yukon Territory on a frozen lake, and involving 160+ students and 30 adult leaders, requires all participants to be fully prepared for the elements.

There is a detailed gear list of required items in the 2026 Yukon Gear List for Students. This list is designed for student safety. Weather conditions can vary greatly, and temperatures can rise or fall dramatically within a single day. Wet or cold conditions can quickly become dangerous, so it’s essential that every student assembles and packs all required gear.

Some families will already have many of the items on the list, or know friends or relatives who can lend gear. Others may have very few of these items—and that’s okay. We want to emphasize both the importance of having the correct gear and our commitment to making preparedness accessible and not a financial burden.

Here are a few helpful resources:

• SAAS provides select loaner gear, including dry bags and sleeping bags.
• If you would like to borrow items from the SAAS Gear Library, please fill out this short form by Friday, January 30, 2026.
   

No prior camping experience is required! The Yukon Trip is designed for all seniors, regardless of their comfort level or familiarity with the outdoors. Each camp includes experienced SAAS trip leaders and staff, as well as trained guides from our Yukon partners who help teach and support students throughout the experience.

Before departure, students will attend a trip preparation session that covers everything from packing and layering for cold weather to setting up camp and managing backcountry hygiene. We will also host two mandatory Gear Night meetings on February 10 & February 24. All students must attend both meetings. Once in the Yukon, students are part of a small, supportive camp group where everyone helps with daily tasks like cooking, collecting firewood, and cleaning up.

We know that for many students, this will be their first true wilderness experience and that’s part of what makes it so special. With the right gear, guidance, and attitude, every student can thrive in the Yukon and come home with new confidence, friendships, and unforgettable memories.

Please join us on Thursday, January 8 at 6:00 PM for our Senior Launch evening! This event covers everything you need to know about the busy and meaningful Senior Spring at SAAS, including detailed information about the Senior Yukon Trip, Senior Projects and Graduation. You’ll hear directly from faculty and trip leaders, get answers to common questions, and learn what to expect in the months ahead. This is an evening you won’t want to miss. 

As a reminder, students must be in good academic and behavioral standing to participate in any SAAS trip.