KuC brings Winter Carnival to Bethel

Sharon Chakuchin, a volunteer at the Winter Carnival, skiis with her 3 year old granddaughter Evelyn on the groomed ski trail by KUC. Photo by Beverly Hoffman

by Theresa Quiner

On February 17th, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Kuskokwim Campus hosted its first Winter Carnival in Bethel, a longstanding Nanook Tradition on the UAF main campus in Fairbanks. Winter Carnival is designed to get people outside to enjoy invigorating outdoor Winter Activities. More than 60 people congregated behind Sackett Hall for a bonfire, hot cocoa, and cross country skiing. People of all ages attended, and included visitors all the way from New York.

It takes many volunteers and community partners to make events like this happen. Volunteers Bev Hoffman, Kathy Hanson, and Sharon Chakuchin helped demonstrate to kids and first time skiers some techniques. Brian Lefferts of Delta Recreation groomed a ski trail for the event, and the Mikelnguut Elitnaurviat school and Bethel 4-H loaned the campus youth skis. KuC is looking forward to bringing this annual tradition to Bethel again next year!