Alexandra Stoaks, 8, peers through a magnifying glass featured in one of the exhibits at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. Stoaks and her family attended the Dec. 27 Winter Break Family Fun Day at the center. The visitor center hosts community events throughout the year, including weekly winter walks and film screenings. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Alexandra Stoaks, 8, peers through a magnifying glass featured in one of the exhibits at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. Stoaks and her family attended the Dec. 27 Winter Break Family Fun Day at the center. The visitor center hosts community events throughout the year, including weekly winter walks and film screenings. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Families turn out for fun at the refuge

Kids and adults explore the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center and participate in hands-on activities during a family fun day on Dec. 27. The event offered crafts, a scavenger hunt and film screening.The visitor center hosts events throughout the year, including weekly winter walks and screenings of wildlife movies. In January, the center will host an avalanche awareness class, a history talk by Alaska guide author Catherine Cassidy, a full moon snowshoe walk and a dog mushing demonstration and book signing.

Audrey Larson, 13, and Phillip Larson, 6, create paper snowflakes at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center Winter Break Family Fun Day on Dec. 27. The event is just one of the many activities hosted year-round by the center. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Audrey Larson, 13, and Phillip Larson, 6, create paper snowflakes at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center Winter Break Family Fun Day on Dec. 27. The event is just one of the many activities hosted year-round by the center. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Marian Bowser helps grandchildren Finley, 3, and Tripp, 5, create a bird feeder during an afternoon of family-friendly events hosted by the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on Dec. 27. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Marian Bowser helps grandchildren Finley, 3, and Tripp, 5, create a bird feeder during an afternoon of family-friendly events hosted by the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on Dec. 27. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Phillip Larson, 6, takes a break from crafts at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on Dec. 27. The visitor center hosted an afternoon of family-friendly activities. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Phillip Larson, 6, takes a break from crafts at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on Dec. 27. The visitor center hosted an afternoon of family-friendly activities. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Audrey Larson, 13, shows off the paper snowflake she crafted while attending a family fun day at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on Dec. 27. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Audrey Larson, 13, shows off the paper snowflake she crafted while attending a family fun day at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on Dec. 27. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

More in News

Erin Thompson (courtesy)
Erin Thompson to serve as regional editor for Alaska community publications

Erin Thompson is expanding her leadership as she takes on editorial oversight… Continue reading

A woman stands with her sign held up during a rally in support of Medicaid and South Peninsula Hospital on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Homer residents rally in support of South Peninsula Hospital and Medicaid

The community gathered on Wednesday in opposition to health care cuts that threaten rural hospitals.

Hunter Kirby holds up the hatchery king salmon he bagged during the one-day youth fishery on the Ninilchik River on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 in Ninilchik, Alaska. Photo by Mike Booz
Ninilchik River closed to sport fishing

The closure is in effect from June 23 through July 15.

Señor Panchos in Soldotna, Alaska, is closed on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna restaurant owner remains in ICE custody; federal charges dropped

Francisco Rodriguez-Rincon was accused of being in the country illegally and falsely claiming citizenship on a driver’s license application.

Brent Johnson speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough to provide maximum funding for school district

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will receive less money from the state this year than it did last year.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Pool manager and swim coach Will Hubler leads a treading water exercise at Kenai Central High School on Tuesday.
Pools, theaters, libraries in jeopardy as cuts loom

The district issued “notices of non-retention” to all its pool managers, library aides and theater technicians.

A sockeye salmon is pictured in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Fishing slow on Russian River, improving on Kenai

Northern Kenai fishing report for Tuesday, June 17.

Josiah Kelly, right, appears for a superior court arraignment at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Anchor Point man accepts plea deal for November shootings

Buildings operated by a local health clinic and an addiction recovery nonprofit were targeted.

Most Read