About Us
Our Story
Gabrielle Brown saw a need for affordable, accessible summer youth programs in her hometown of Cordova and formed a nonprofit called Alaska Adventure Learning (AAL) in January 2022. AAL ran two week-long camps in 2022, and transitioned to working under the Prince William Sound Economic Development District (PWSEDD) under the name Mavis Island Project (MIP) in September 2022. Brown was able to apply for and receive multiple grants by using PWSEDD as MIP’s fiscal sponsor until MIP received its tax-exempt status from the IRS in March 2024.
MIP’s mission is to care for and provide outdoor programming at Mavis Island. Summer camps hosted by MIP are centered in mindfulness, outdoor exploration, and play. Camps have a variety of outdoor activities including canoeing, foraging, plant ID, and nature journaling.
A camp location was a challenge in getting established. Brown received permission from the Boy Scouts to use Mavis Island, conveniently located near town. The ownership and care of Mavis Island is one of the gaps left by the Boy Scouts ending its Cordova program. Mavis Island is Alaska Department of Natural Resources land and was leased to the Boy Scouts until MIP acquired the lease in May 2024. MIP volunteers and staff have made repairs to the cabin and surrounding property. Scouts have recently started a new program in Cordova and have been using and helping care for Mavis Island.
MIP hosted two weeks of summer camp in both 2022 and 2023. Camps fill quickly and often have a wait list. All spaces were filled with a large waitlist in 2022 and 2023. In addition to summer camps, MIP will rent out the cabin to other youth programs and individuals in summer 2025. The newly reformed Cordova Scouts program rented the cabin in October 2024, and provided service work on the island.
Mission
MIP’s mission is to care for and provide outdoor programming at Mavis Island.
Our STAFF
Gabrielle Brown
Founder and Camp Director
Gabby Brown created the Mavis Island Project in 2022. As program manager, she and the supportive MIP board, have established MIP as a nonprofit organization, written several successful grants, acquired the lease for Mavis Island and coordinated annual fundraisers to support the camps. Gabby feels fortunate to have been born and raised in Cordova and some of her fondest childhood memories are from local science and music camps. Gabby attended the University of Montana until starting a semester-long wilderness medicine program in Costa Rica and Montana. This course inspired Gabby to pursue learning outside large lecture halls. She’s continued broadening her skills through working as a ski patroller and deckhand in various fisheries, attending marine diesel mechanic trade school, and becoming a certified yoga instructor. Campers learn mindfulness and meditation skills at camp thanks to Gabby’s background in yoga instruction and she enjoys encouraging campers to engage with and learn about their natural environment.
Sarah Lapides
Camp Director
Sarah Lapides grew up in California and met Gabby in 2017, during their semester in wilderness medicine. They were part of a group of twelve students that studied in the Costa Rican jungle and the snowy mountains of Montana and became lifelong friends along the way. Since then, Sarah has lived in Fairbanks where she completed paramedic school, then moved to Wisconsin to attend nursing school while working as a flight paramedic, and now lives in South Carolina working as a nurse. Sarah has also worked as a babysitter, nanny, and dance instructor. Sarah was a counselor turned camp director in summer 2024, and will be returning to camp in 2025. She shares her love for the outdoors and movement with campers and creates engaging, educational, and safe activities at camp.
Camp Counselors
Gabriel Gutierrez
Grace Taylor
Grace Taylor has called Alaska home for the past nine years, immersing herself in its natural beauty alongside her beloved dogs. An avid outdoor enthusiast, she enjoys hiking, swimming, kayaking, horseback riding, and engaging in various crafts. Grace’s deep affection for animals extends to dogs, cats, birds, and all creatures alike. With years of experience in customer service, she is passionate about sharing her love for the outdoors and nature with campers.
Sammy Stripes
Sam Stripes has been a counselor at Mavis Island since 2022. He has years of experience working at a Boy Scout camp on the Olympic Peninsula as an all-around aquatics instructor and lifeguard. Sam completed a 4yr degree in Outdoor Recreation Program Development. Campers learn how to paddle a canoe safely and effectively from Sam, who has an engaging teaching style he’s perfected through years of teaching sailing and snowboarding. Sam is a certified lifeguard and EMT.
Board of directors
President Rita Spann
Board member since 2022
Rita first visited Cordova in 2017, and couldn’t wait to come back. She now calls Cordova home, works as a commercial fisherman and research vessel engineer, and volunteers on various boards including the Prince William Sound Marketing Association and Friends of the Cordova Public Library. Rita enjoys visiting Mavis Island camps each summer and is always impressed by the incredible attitudes of Cordova’s kids, especially their willingness to have fun outside no matter the weather.
Hayley Fleming, Vice President
Board member since 2022
Hayley Fleming is a commercial fisherman and mother of one. She splits her year living in Palmer in the winters and Cordova in the summers. Her main hobbies are cooking, reading, hunting, and foraging. Her love of the outdoors was nurtured by summers spent fishing with her dad and days at Cordova summer camps. Additionally, she works seasonally at the Prince William Sound Science Center as an outreach specialist in the education department.
Danielle Lundli, Treasurer
Board member since 2023
Elizabeth King, Secretary
Board member since 2022
Elizabeth was born and raised in Cordova, and lives there with her husband and two children. Growing up, she worked on her family’s commercial fishing boat and attended various summer camps. Elizabeth attended college in Montana and after some time spent traveling, happily moved back to Cordova in 2016. She earned her masters degree in community mental health counseling through University of Fairbanks in 2020, and works as a licensed professional counselor at Sound Alternatives. Elizabeth spends her free time outside with her family and at their cabin in Boswell Bay.
Jessica James (JJ)
Board member since 2024
Jessica James (JJ) lives most of the year in Mexico City and spends her summers in Cordova where she grew up. She enjoys listening to and writing music, biking, hiking, camping, coffee, spending time with friends and family, and working in her jewelry studio
2024 FINANCES
