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
Maegan Thomas
Mae is a Pediatric Emergency Medicine Nurse from western North Carolina with a love for adventure, connection, and the outdoors. As a friend of Sarah Lapides, she is so excited about her first summer in Alaska. When she’s not caring for kids at work, you can usually find her rock climbing with friends, backpacking, practicing yoga, or spending time with family on their farm in the mountains. Mae is passionate about traveling and meeting new people; she’s always ready for a new adventure. She loves creating meaningful experiences, encouraging others to step outside their comfort zones, and making camp a fun and welcoming place for everyone.
Sofie Rodriguez
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
Rita Spann, President
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 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.
Jessica James (JJ), Secretary
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.
Danielle Lundli, Treasurer
Board member since 2023
Danielle was born and raised in Cordova and spent much of her childhood attending local summer camps. After leaving for college, she returned home to raise her family in the same community she grew up in. Danielle’s children have attended Mavis Island camps for years, and she values the opportunity for kids to spend time outdoors exploring in all kinds of weather. Commercial fishing has always been central to her life, first growing up in a fishing family and now continuing that tradition with her own children. Danielle previously worked for the Cordova School District and now works for the Native Village of Eyak. She also serves on the boards of Cordova Little League and Iceworm Swim Club. Outside of work and volunteering, Danielle enjoys traveling, quilting, and exploring the outdoors around Cordova with her family.
Sarah Hoepfner
Board member since 2025
Sarah was born and raised in Cordova and continues to spend summers and work breaks in her beautiful hometown. She spent much of her childhood outside—playing, exploring, and soaking up everything Cordova has to offer—which inspired her career as a wildlife biologist. Sarah attended college in California and earned her master’s degree in wildlife ecology from Iowa State University in 2023.
In her free time, she can be found hiking, biking, foraging, and birding. As a board member, she is excited to help bring more of Gabby’s ideas to life—supporting camp maintenance and all the behind-the-scenes magic that makes camp happen.
Lindsey Hammer
Board member since 2025
Lindsey was born and raised in Cordova, and returned home after graduating from Whitman College in 2020. She enjoys spending time outdoors, reading historical fiction, and working on community development projects through her job at the PWS Economic Development District and role on the Cordova Community Foundation board. Lindsey sees the Mavis Island Project as a true community asset, capturing Cordova’s values of outdoor play, independence, and connection to place. As a board member, she is eager to support MIP’s work in fostering confidence and creating lasting outdoor memories for Cordova’s youth.
Jana Howard
Board member since 2025
Jana grew up in Cordova and now lives here year-round. Her love of the outdoors and camp life began early through her dad’s involvement as a Boy Scout leader, which meant many days spent helping with camp setup, hauling firewood to the Mavis Island cabin, and assisting with projects like maintaining the zip line and ropes course. Jana works as the museum director’s assistant at the Ilanka Cultural Center and also mends fishing nets. She has volunteered with programs including the Cordova Music Camp and the Cordova Shorebird Festival. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, skiing, kayaking, and spending time outdoors. Jana loves helping ensure that local kids continue to have opportunities to explore, connect with nature, and experience the magic of Mavis Island.
Past Board Members
- Shannon Lindow 2022-2023
- Elizabeth King 2022-2025
2025 FINANCES
