Family Ocean Challenge 2026

A week of faith, family, and wild Alaskan adventure

Our pilot 2026 Family Ocean Challenge is a one-week immersive experience inviting parents and children to step away from the noise of everyday life and reconnect—with each other, with creation, and with God’s love—through the wild beauty of Kodiak, Alaska. Families will stay together at North Garden, True Parents’ historic home in Kodiak, and take part in meaningful spiritual programming alongside unforgettable outdoor adventures. From ocean fishing on historic Good Go boats—targeting salmon, halibut, ling cod, and rockfish—to river fishing, paddle boarding and kayaking, hiking, berry picking, and beach exploration, each day offers hands-on experiences that deepen gratitude, faith, and family bonds. Rooted in the spirit of Ocean Challenge, this program blends nature, devotion, and shared adventure into a rhythm that nourishes both heart and spirit.

Who Is the Family Ocean Challenge For?

Family Ocean Challenge is designed to welcome all generations and many different family shapes and seasons of life.

This program is especially meaningful for:

  • Young families with children who want to experience faith, nature, and adventure together

  • Families who want to travel with friends or relatives, or who are open to meeting and bonding with new families

  • Parents, grandparents, and elders who desire a slower-paced, relational way to engage with Ocean Challenge and Kodiak, maybe even connecting to your history with Ocean Challenge!

  • Multi-generational groups—where faith, wisdom, and joy are shared across generations

There is no age limit for participation. Children, parents, and elders are all an essential part of the community we hope to create. Activities are designed to be flexible, with space for rest, choice, and different energy levels.

Whether you come with people you already know or arrive ready to form new connections, Family Ocean Challenge is an invitation into shared life rooted in faith, nature, and time together.

Dates & Capacity

We are offering two separate one-week sessions:

  • Session 1: Arrive Saturday, August 1 · Depart Friday, August 7

  • Session 2: Arrive Saturday, August 8 · Depart Friday, August 14

Each week is limited to 4 families (8-24 total participants) to preserve an intimate, community-oriented experience.

Lodging

Families will stay together at North Garden in Kodiak—True Parents’ historic home and a deeply meaningful site for Ocean Challenge.

  • Large shared living and dining spaces

  • 4 guest rooms, each with a private bathroom

  • Sleeping arrangements:

    • 1 room with 1 queen bed

    • 3 rooms with 4–6 twin beds each

  • Total of 15 beds

The home provides both togetherness and quiet spaces for rest, reflection, and family rhythms.

Meals

Meals are thoughtfully planned to nourish both body and spirit. Meals are prepared and enjoyed at the adjacent Angel Garden, the local church building.

  • Breakfast & dinner prepared by local cooks at set times

  • Lunch materials provided at breakfast for families to pack and take with them

  • Meals will include fresh fish caught during Ocean Challenge

We do our best to accommodate dietary needs with advance notice.

Transportation & Getting Around

  • Airport pickup and drop-off included

  • Group transportation provided via a public van for all scheduled activities

  • A shared secondary vehicle may be available for short errands or early returns (nap time, etc.)

  • Families are also welcome to rent a personal vehicle if preferred

Daily Rhythm & Programming

The Family Ocean Challenge follows a gentle, intentional rhythm inspired by our summer Ocean Challenge program.

Mornings

  • Morning Program (short service and HDH reading)

  • Breakfast & pack lunches

  • Outdoor adventure

Afternoons

  • Lunch on the go

  • Continued outdoor activities

  • Return home for rest, clean-up, and downtime

Evenings

  • Dinner together

  • Evening program or free family time

  • Closing reflections

Outdoor Activities May Include

  • Ocean or river fishing

  • Hiking Kodiak’s coastal and forest trails

  • Berry picking

  • Paddle boarding or kayaking

  • Beach bonfires and beachcombing

  • Exploring tide pools and local nature

Education & Spiritual Life

Each family receives a daily HDH booklet with short, accessible themes such as:

  • Connecting to God’s Love Through Nature

  • Joy in a Life of Faith

  • The Alaskan Spirit

Morning readings and discussions are followed by a short service to frame the day’s experiences and offer some food for thought.

Some evenings include planned group activities, local testimonies, and bonding experiences, while others are left intentionally open to honor each family’s needs and rhythms.

✨ One evening of childcare will be offered so parents can enjoy a night out together.

Fishing in Kodiak 🐟

Kodiak is home to some of the most abundant and diverse fishing grounds in the world. Families are strongly encouraged to spend at least one day on the water during their stay.

Species you may catch include:

  • Salmon (king, silver, pink)

  • Halibut

  • Cod & lingcod

  • Rockfish

All ocean-caught fish can be professionally processed and packaged for you to take home as checked luggage.

Fishing Options

  • Good Go Boats

    • 28’ open-cabin boats (no indoor cabin)

    • Fits 5–6 people

    • Small onboard toilet

    • Volunteer local captain

    • Suggested donation: $600 per boat (≈ $100/person)

  • Local Member Charter Boats

    • 43’ professional charter boats with cabins, bathrooms, and walk-around decks

    • Local family run businesses (Chris & Jainan Fiala - Kodiak Island Charters; Lukas & Fritz Bercy - Kodiak Marine Charters)

    • Up to ~12 people

    • Market rate: ~$495 per person

  • River Fishing

    • Casting rods provided

    • No additional cost

Additional fishing expenses:

  • Fish processing: ~$3.50/lb. Fish is packaged and can be taken home as a checked box.

  • Alaska fishing license: $15/day

    • Nonresident 1 Day Sport Fishing License $15.00 + King Salmon Stamp $15.00 + Halibut Stamp $20/day (charter boat only)

    • Nonresident 3 Day Sport Fishing License $30.00 + King Salmon Stamp $30.00 + Halibut Stamp $20/day (charter boat only)

    • Nonresident 7 Day Sport Fishing License $45.00 + King Salmon Stamp $45.00 + Halibut Stamp $20/day (charter boat only)

    • *No halibut may be kept on a charter boat on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. They can be caught on Good Gos

Meet the Team

The Family Ocean Challenge is led by a small, dedicated team who deeply love Kodiak, Ocean Challenge, and creating meaningful experiences for families.

Tasnah & Lukas Bercy

Program Directors

Tasnah and Lukas Bercy serve as directors for the Family Ocean Challenge, Kodiak Ocean Tribe, and Ocean Challenge. Lukas has called Kodiak home since 2005, and Tasnah since 2019. Together, they are raising their two young children on the island and feel deeply grateful for the rhythms, beauty, and values Kodiak has shaped in their family life. They own and operate Kodiak Marine Charters.

They are passionate about creating experiences where families can slow down, encounter God through nature, and build lasting memories together. Sharing this island—its waters, trails, traditions, and spirit—with other families is something they feel genuinely excited and honored to do.

Tamae Seto

On-Site Coordinator

Tamae Seto is a Kodiak local who brings both professional skill and heartfelt care to the program. She studied hospitality in Hawaiʻi and is excited to weave her experience into creating a welcoming, well-supported environment for families during their stay.

Kodiak is the island Tamae calls home, and she delights in helping others feel at ease here—whether through thoughtful logistics, warm hospitality, or simply sharing her love for this special place.

Minoru Kageyama

Good Go Captain

Minoru Kageyama is a long-time Kodiak resident and a beloved part of the Ocean Challenge community. He served for many years as True Parents’ boat captain, stewarding time on the water with deep care, experience, and heart. Today, he continues to volunteer with Ocean Challenge, generously sharing his knowledge of Kodiak’s fishing grounds, his love of the ocean, and the many stories gathered over a lifetime on the water.

Families who fish on the historic Good Go boats will be guided not only by Kageyamasan’s skill and safety-minded leadership, but also by his joy in helping others experience the beauty, abundance, and spirit of Kodiak’s seas.

 

Cost & What’s Included

Program Cost: $999 for adults and children 12+. $499 for children 11 and under.

This includes:

  • Lodging at North Garden

  • Group transportation

  • Meals

  • Fishing gear and supplies

  • Educational and program materials

  • Staffing and coordination

Fishing costs are additional and vary based on the option(s) you choose and the number of days your family fishes.

Cost of flights to and from Kodiak are not included. We encourage you to look into the Alaska Airlines credit card as they offer a companion fare (buy one, get one free + fees).

Ready to Join the Family Ocean Challenge?

The Family Ocean Challenge is designed to be small and relational with space intentionally limited to 4 families per week. By doing so, we’re able to create a rhythm that honors children, supports parents, and allows space for meaningful connection—with one another, with nature, and with God.

We hope you’ll consider joining us for this special week in Kodiak. The Family Ocean Challenge is more than a trip—it’s an invitation into shared faith, adventure, and family memory-making in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Registration Process

To keep the Family Ocean Challenge intentional, relational, and well-supported, registration happens in a few simple steps:

Step 1: Pre-Registration

Families begin by completing a pre-registration form, sharing basic family information and selecting their preferred session dates.

  • The first 4 families per week will be offered spots

  • Additional families will be placed on a waitlist in the order received

Submitting a pre-registration form does not yet secure a spot, but it holds your place in line.

Step 2: Informational Call

Families invited to move forward will be asked to join a group informational call. During this call, we’ll:

  • Walk through the program in more detail

  • Review logistics, expectations, and daily rhythm

  • Answer questions and help families discern if this experience is a good fit

Step 3: Deposit & Confirmation

After the informational call, families will have 5 days to confirm their participation by submitting a 50% non-refundable deposit.

Once the deposit is received, your family’s spot for the selected week is officially confirmed.

Step 4: Waitlist Openings

If spaces remain after deposits are collected, we will invite families from the waitlist to join in the order pre-registrations were received.

Questions Before You Register?

We’re happy to help you discern if this program is a good fit for your family.

📧 Email: director@kodiakoceantribe.org

If cost is a concern, please reach out—limited financial support or flexible payment options may be available.

 

A small taste of Ocean Challenge spirit from our summer 2025 program!