Experience remote off-grid family life in Edna Bay Alaska, USA

Details

• 

  Description

  My wife and two children moved to Edna Bay, Alaska in 2023. We were seeking to live in a remote off-grid location. We wanted a small community, where we could start a homestead and live a simple life. I work a remote job in IT management. Even though we have no public services on the island, we generate our own power, provide our own water, and have Internet access through Starlink. I am the pastor of the Christian church in the community. My wife is the worship leader. She also educates our children through home schooling and life in the Alaskan bush.
  
  Living here is a continuous project. I am working on upgrading my solar power system. There are repairs to do on outbuildings. The greenhouse requires constant attention. We can and freeze our food to preserve what we hunt and fish for. In the Spring we hunt bear, in the Summer we fish the ocean for Halibut, Salmon, and other species of fish, and in the Autumn we hunt deer. There isn't much game food, but deer are still available, and there is wolf hunting for population control.
  
  We have baby chickens this Summer and will be starting a new chicken coop.
  
  Edna Bay is a serene and remote city located on Kosciusko Island, which is part of the unorganized borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. Officially incorporated on October 13, 2014, Edna Bay is the only populated town on the island, boasting a small community of 51 permanent residents and 12 part-time residents as of January 2024.
  
  The city is accessible by air or water, with airplanes and boats landing at the state float three miles by road from the general store and lodging services. An extensive road system, created during the heyday of logging, provides access to vast recreational opportunities. Visitors and residents alike can enjoy fishing in the many creeks and lakes, scaling mountains, and exploring the beautiful drives and hikes available throughout the area2.
  
  Edna Bay’s remote location and the difficulty and expense of traveling to larger Southeast Alaska communities mean that subsistence hunting, fishing, and gathering are significant parts of the residents’ livelihoods1. This close-knit community thrives amidst the tranquility and rugged beauty of Alaska’s wilderness.

• 

  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
• 

  Interests

  

  Technology

  

  Sustainability

  

  Pets

  

  Farming

  

  Gardening

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Animals

  

  Nature

  

  Sailing / Boating

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Hiking

  

  Mountain

  

  Camping

  

  Adventure sports
• 

  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Family meals
  Various community events (Easter meal, Independence celebration, Thanksgiving meal, game nights)
  Church service on Sunday, midweek prayer meeting
  Town meeting every month
  Hunting, fishing, foraging, canning, butchering, filleting
  We enjoy sharing our unique life with others. Alaska is very different from the rest of USA and our life in a remote off grid community is also unique even among many Alaskans.

• 

  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

• 

  Help

  We can use help filleting fish, canning and preserving food.
  Various small construction projects (solar panel ground mounts, assorted building repairs, exterior painting, organizing and cleaning.
  House cleaning, laundry, dishes, etc.
  Gathering firewood, splitting logs, stacking wood
  Taking care of chickens
  Hunting and gathering of berries

• 

  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent

• 

  Accommodation

  We have several housing options available, depending on their availability.
  
  Housing includes a private bedroom with a shared bath.
  
  Meals are provided and eating with our family is encouraged. Vegetarian options are generally not available or provided. Fresh produce is difficult to get here due to our remote location. The primary diet is meat for a main course with a side item (starch or vegetable). A very typical American diet.
  
  Drinking, smoking, and drugs are NOT permitted.

• 

  What else ...

  During your time off there are nature opportunities. Beach combing, hiking, fishing, nature watching. There is nothing here except nature. The only business here are the small general store. You must want to be outdoors and self entertaining.

• 

  A little more information

  • 

    Internet access

  • 

    Limited internet access

  • 

    We have pets

  • 

    We are smokers

  • 

    Can host families

• 

  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

• 

  Hours expected

  4-5 hours, 5 days a week