Outings/Events
EVENT NOTICE: Skookum Gold Camp
When: The Week of August 18-25, 2026
Skookum Gold Camp, Central, Alaska
Where: Participants will rendezvous at Fairbanks Airport by 2:30 pm on Tuesday, Aug 18th, 2026, for pickup by a Skookum shuttle for travel to the camp in Central, AK (est a 3-hour drive).
Details: On arrival at the camp, participants are assigned a room in the bunkhouse, provided dinner and scheduled for a tour of the prospecting/mining areas available. The camp provides equipment for panning, sluicing, metal detecting, high banking and dredging (4” & 6”). All meals are included, as are laundry machines and supplies. As August is the rainy season, boots and a rainsuit should be included in your packing. Transportation between the camp and prospecting/mining sites is also provided (single & multi-seat ATVs). With water temperatures in the low 40’s, participants interested in dredging should contact the camp about required diving equipment. At 10:00 am on Tuesday, August 25th, 2026, Skookum will provide shuttle transportation back to Fairbanks Airport. Have Questions – Call or text Alton at 719-439-3590; or visit https://www.skookumgoldcamp.com/.
Costs: In 2024 when we booked this year’s trip, our Chapter received a group discount for our 13 members. We paid $2,000.00 per person instead of the $2,500 regular rate. The regular rate for 2026 will increase by $300 to $2,800 per person. However, we have been invited back for 2026, at the same rate ($2k per person) regardless of group size, provided we make a commitment and pay a 50% deposit by October 15th, 2025. The balance will be due in March 2026. After October 15th, they will take reservations from other people to fill the total of 14 available spaces. Airfare to and from Fairbanks is not included (est $800).
Reservations: At the regular Chapter meeting on Wednesday, October 1st, 2025, six members from this year’s trip indicated their intensions to return. All reservations will be taken on a “first come/first serve” basis and must be made directly with Skookum Gold Camp. When calling Skookum to make your reservation and pay the deposit please identify yourself as a member of the “Colorado Springs Chapter, GPAA. Formal membership in GPAA/LDMA is not required. This Outing Notice will be updated as necessary.