Wrangell St. Elias National Park
The journey there may be long, but once you set your eyes on the vastness of the tundra, the grandeur of the mountains, and see a mother moose with her calf, you will know traveling to see America’s largest national park, Wrangell-St. Elias, was all worth it.
Our Nation’s Largest Park
Located about 4 hours east of Anchorage, AK, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is America’s largest national park, and surprisingly, one of the least visited. From volcanoes, to glaciers, to rivers and watersheds, this park is full of things to do and sites to see. Hiking, backpacking, and mountaineering are some of the popular ways to explore, but don’t forget your binoculars – there are over 90 species of birds to be seen in the park!
From the largest national park comes one of the largest populations of Dall sheep in America. Moose, grizzly bears, and wolverines also inhabit much of the land, while sea lions, seals, and whales are found near the coastal areas of the park.
What We Do
ACMNP in Wrangell St. Elias provides:
- Christian fellowship activities for visitors, residents, and employees.
- Leadership development for ministry team members and seminarians.
- Positive relationships among seasonal co-workers and internationals.
- Pastoral care during emergencies.
Ministry Team Member Information
Our team in Wrangell St. Elias is 2-3 ministry team members, all of whom serve in the same park location.
- Summer only
- Remote community
- No Catholic mass nearby
Employment Information
Ministry team members seek employment from Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge.
- Area: 20,587.2 mi²
- Established: December 1, 1978
- Visitation: 68,292 in 2017
"Impactful conversations are definitely one of my favorite parts about being here! Most happen while hanging out in the common room or in one on one time with other employees. Some of our impactful conversations have been about heavy topics like death, while others have been much lighter such as sharing parts of our testimonies with coworkers and vice versa."
Wrangell St. Elias National Park, AK
Sparrows & Peaks
I encountered God in His creation while watching the birds in Big Bend. I was reminded of God’s love for me seeing the sparrows sing and swoop.
Follow His Lead
The most impactful lesson that I learned over the summer was that I cannot do ministry out of my own will or power.
God’s Good Creation
Of course our park is beautiful and inspirational but the surrounding areas are also amazing!
Park Experience FAQ's
What should I expect?
Are you ready for an adventure of a lifetime? You have come to the right place. In addition to having a national park as your backyard, you will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful and important ministry efforts. National parks, although beautiful, are remote and challenging locations.
Can I choose my park?
While we cannot guarantee that you will get your top preference, we do consider your requests as we assemble teams. There is a section of the application where you will be able to list your top three park preferences.
If we are not able to offer you the park of your choosing, we will suggest an alternate park location that might fit with your interests and team needs. We ask that you apply to ACMNP for the ministry experience more than the park location, and we will do our best to find a good fit.
As you can imagine, team assembly is a complicated process. Every team member placement has to take into account employer needs, team needs, dates of availability, various ministry logistics, and applicant interests. We appreciate your flexibility and openness through this process. Trust us, by the end of a summer with ACMNP, every team member claims their national park as the best national park. There really is no bad placement!
What does a typical week look like?
One of the greatest ministry opportunities you will have is through your seasonal employment. Working 40-hours each week through the local hospitality concessionaire gives you the opportunity to get to know and work alongside those within the community. Not only does your employment provide you with an income, but working in this context gives you credibility for your ministry as you become friends with people who may have negative associations with Christians. That said, a big portion of your week will be your job, which is also a significant part of your ministry.
Can I apply with a friend?
Yes, you can absolutely apply with a friend! You will find a section on the application to indicate who you are hoping to serve with, please be sure to list them there.
If you are applying with a group of people, we would strongly encourage you to separate into pairs, and spread out into multiple parks. The experience is typically much stronger when you are serving on a team with new friends from different backgrounds. Not to mention, groups of friends serving in multiple parks generally enjoy sharing their experiences and encouraging one another from across the parks.
Who are we looking for?
- Mature baptized followers of Jesus Christ.
- Can affirm the principles of the Apostle's Creed, a common statement of faith.
- Men and women, generally 18-30 years of age, who desire to grow as leaders and experience a challenging ministry adventure.
- Ability and willingness to partner with people from different Christian backgrounds.
- Ability and willingness to interact relationally with co-workers and park visitors of different faiths, backgrounds, and cultures.
- Summer availability of at least 90 days, through August 20th or later (as close to Labor Day as possible).
- High level of commitment to ministry and calling.
What will this cost me?
Ministry Team Members will actually earn an income through seasonal employment with private park hospitality companies (concessionaires). Additionally, seminarians enrolled in a seminary or theological graduate program will be eligible for a $2,000 scholarship stipend ($3,000 for returning seminarian leaders). If you are interested in our Advanced Leadership Development Program, you can earn $1000 through your participation. Room and board is provided at minimal cost and differs by national park location and employer. You will find quickly that living in a national park is very inexpensive, and most team members usually walk away with $2500-3500 in their pockets by the end of the summer!
ACMNP's ministry in the national parks is a specialized effort and presents unique challenges. Therefore, every ministry team member is required to attend the ACMNP National Training Conference. There is a $350 program fee to cover training, program, and season expenses. We have a reduced fee of $275 for returning alumni. Some team members choose to raise support to help cover these costs.
Please also note that Ministry Team Members are responsible for transportation to/from the training conference (Estes Park, CO April 12-14, 2024 or Indianapolis, IN May 10-12, 2024) and transportation to/from the national park where they will serve.
Embark on this experience of a lifetime
You are just a few clicks away from a life-changing season in a national park! Can you hear the call? What are you waiting for…
Other experiences you may be interested in
Denali National Park & Preserve
Alaska, The Last Frontier, is home to the tallest peak in North America. Denali is a striking 20,310 ft tall and is draped with glaciers containing melt water that run a stunning turquoise.
Glacier National Park/Waterton Lakes National Park (Canada)
The ‘Crown of the Continent’ has over 700 miles worth of hiking trails. You will experience the awe-inspiring beauty of glacier carved mountains and valleys, crystal clear alpine lakes, and wildlife at its finest.
Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier is not only an active volcano, but also a towering 14,410 glaciated peak that has become an iconic image for Washington state’s Cascade Range.
