June 2, 2023

Armchair Traveler: Three Years In Japan

January 13 at 7pm: Girdwood locals Jeff and Sharon Samuels embarked on a one year adventure to teach English in Japan in 2005, and ended up staying for 3 years. Come see slides from their time in Hokkaido. From food to skiing to local culture, you’ll enjoy this immersive slice of everyday Japanese life.

Topic: 3 Years in Japan: Jeff & Sharon Samuels
Time: Jan 13, 2021 07:00 PM Alaska
Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/85651326143
Meeting ID: 856 5132 6143


The Armchair Traveler series is sponsored by Bob and Sherry Dugan in order to help FVCS provide remote learning experiences for the community of Girdwood.

Armchair Traveler: Journey to the Southern Ocean

FVCS Armchair Traveler series continues with professional naturalist and former Girdwood resident Elise Lockton. Elise will share her multiple adventures exploring the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula as a naturalist guide aboard the expedition ship National Geographic Explorer. These three distinct regions are not only difficult to get to but complete with incredible wildlife, landscape and history. Join us for this photographic journey exploring the Southern Ocean.

Join Zoom Meeting Dec. 30th at 7p: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81859246486

This free presentation is part of FVCS’s “Armchair Traveler” series, and made possible by a generous donation from our sponsors, longtime local Girdwoodians Sherry & Bob Dugan.

Armchair Traveler: Self-Drive Safari in Southern Africa

Wednesday Dec. 16th at 7p: Visiting Botswana and Namibia was a lifelong dream come true. After spending a couple of months house- and petting-sitting in Maun, Botswana, living the lives of locals, Jen and Mike headed out to parks and nether regions with a 4WD truck and a tent. Come see photos and hear stories of camping with lions, lunching with elephants, and listening to cheetahs chirp. Share in the thrill of a self-guided safari as they track animals and peer into the world of African wildlife.


This free presentation is part of FVCS’s “Armchair Traveler” series, and made possible by a generous donation from our sponsors, longtime local Girdwoodians Sherry & Bob Dugan.

Zoom link:

Topic: Armchair Traveler: Southern Africa

Time: Dec 16, 2020 07:00 PM Alaska
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82509270126

40th Anniversary On-Line Auction

Forty years ago Four Valley Community School began as an idea to build community and offer opportunities locally for residents of greater Girdwood.

Despite present day challenges, we plan on serving our community for now and forever, and are celebrating our 40th year with an Arts Auction Fundraiser All proceeds will go to support our programs, events, and classes and to keep them available locally. 

Local artists and crafters of all ages have come together to create pieces in support of our anniversary, and it is a perfect time to shop for the holidays or for yourself. 

Go to the Online Auction Site and log-in, bid it up, and celebrate 40 with us!

Artist Spotlight:

Meet today’s artist: Ewan Whitcomb-Stark is 11 years old and a 6th grade student at Girdwood Elementary School. Ewan’s favorite type of art is using acrylics like the one he donated to this auction. Ewan has been participating in the Girdwood Fine Arts Camp for 5 years and his favorite animals are cats and snakes. To bid on Ewan’s artwork you can visit: https://www.biddingowl.com/Auction/item-detail.cfm?auctionID=21297&ItemID=942852&viewType=1&style=75&font=0&catName=Antiques%20and%20ArtAuction open until December 15th! Click, Bid, Win!

Armchair Traveler: Cambodia Rising 12/2 @ 7p

Just as the world began to shut down due to COVID, Girdwood locals Jeff & Sharon Samuels were in Cambodia as part of a year long round-the-world adventure. Jeff will share photos and stories of he and Sharon’s visit. From the capital of Phnom Penh to the villages of the Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake to the splendor of Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples, Cambodia has a wealth of culture and history to see and experience.


This free presentation is part of FVCS’s “Armchair Traveler” series, and made possible by a generous donation from our sponsors, longtime local Girdwoodians Sherry & Bob Dugan. 

Topic: Cambodia Rising with Jeff Samuels

Time: Dec 2, 2020 07:00 PM Alaska
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86535680590

FVCS 40th Anniversary Online Auction 12/1-15

HELP US CELEBRATE 40! 


Forty years ago Four Valley Community School began as an idea to build community and offer opportunities locally for residents of greater Girdwood.

Despite present day challenges, we plan on serving our community for now and forever, and are celebrating our 40th year with an Arts Auction Fundraiser.  All proceeds will go to support our programs, events, and classes and to keep them available locally. 


Local artists and crafters of all ages have come together to create pieces in support of our anniversary, and it is a perfect time to shop for the holidays or for yourself. 

Go to the Online Auction Site and log-in, bid it up, and celebrate 40 with us!

Thank You Pick.Click.Give Donors 2020

This year 78 Girdwood locals donated to Four Valleys Community School via the Pick.Click.Give program. Please consider donating part of your Permanent Dividend Fund to FVCS with this easy to use program. Simply designate FVCS when you file for your 2021 PFD starting in January, and join the list of locals who support FVCS. Donated funds are used to support our community education programs, classes and events. Thank you!

Tales of Winter Caretaking in the AK Bush

Social distancing got you down? Come share an isolation experience together. Join us via Zoom to see photos and hear stories of Jen and Mike getting their winter feet wet caretaking for remote Alaska lodges, from Bristol Bay to the Arctic. Hear what it is like to live and work in remote Alaskan bush locations, where daily life included shoveling snow off of roofs, filling wood sheds, reporting weather, and, perhaps most importantly, taking care of and entertaining themselves, miles away from neighbors, stores, and medical help.


This free presentation is part of FVCS’s “Armchair Travels” series, and made possible by a generous donation from our sponsors Sherry & Bob Dugan.

Register ahead to receive the Zoom link the day of the presentation.

Guitar Lessons

Small Group Guitar Lessons

Tuesdays November 10- December 15 @ 5p & 6:15p
So you play guitar? Have you been stuck at the same level for a while? Perhaps you have heard of local bands the Dirty Hands, Big Fat Buddha and Lateral Lines. And perhaps you are combating Covid restrictions by setting some self improvement goals. Get off the intermediate plateau and take your guitar playing to the next level with these small group lessons taught by Girdwood musician Chris Lesesne. 6 weeks, small groups, for $240. Click the registration buttons below for more details and to learn about the instructor!

Wondering if you are a Intermediate or Advanced student, and if this class is right for you? Schedule a short conversation with instructor Chris Lesesne to answer questions you might have, provide further details about the scope of this course, and ensure that it is the correct fit for you.

Please email Chris at chrisclaymusic@gmail.com

COVID Safety Protocols: This class will have a maximum of 4 students plus the instructor. All students will be required to maintain a 6 foot plus distance from the instructor and other students, must wear a mask at all times, as well as use hand sanitizer when arriving to class as well as submit to a temperature check.