Moving Forward

A lot of people ask what makes Alaska Huts special, and why we are different from public use cabins. I inevitably mention the sauna, or the skiing, or the amenities available at Manitoba Cabin. It’s a lot harder to capture what truly makes Alaska Huts special to me – the community.

Every fall at our Wood Stock work weekend staff and volunteers spend a day hauling and stacking eight cords of firewood and doing a deep clean of the entire cabin. It’s a lot of hard work, but the fun atmosphere makes it a completely different experience. This past September I found myself watching five year-olds carrying one log at a time up the hill alongside grandparents pushing overflowing wheelbarrows. Other groups set out to hike Manitoba Mountain after the work was done, or just sat around the fire to share stories. Everyone came together to make Manitoba Cabin a better place, and in doing so created a welcoming community.

I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to be a part of that community for the past three years, which makes it bittersweet to share the news that I’m going to be leaving Alaska Huts at the end of March. I’ll be moving down to California to pursue further schooling, eat lots of citrus, and attempt to learn how to surf. I can’t thank you all enough for the opportunity to be a part of Alaska Huts, and I’ll hopefully be back in Alaska in the not too distant future.

While it is sad to leave, I am delighted to share the news that we have a fantastic new Executive Director on board. Erin Kirkland has been a frequent partner of Alaska Huts over the past few years, and with her experience in marketing, tourism and the outdoor industry she is a perfect fit for this organization. I can’t wait to see where Alaska Huts goes under her leadership.

Until Next Time,
Tom Callahan
Executive Director