Cultural / Recreation Activities
Sitka has a wide variety of music, art, and educational activities to offer. There are interest groups for everyone: hiking, sports, arts, writing, environmental, public radio. There are frequent concerts and a movie theater that shows first-run movies.

Weather
Sitka is in the Tongass rainforest. Most of the year, the temperature is between 40-60 degrees. It rarely drops below 30 or goes above 70. It is often overcast and rainy. November through January are particularly dark with shortened winter days. The weather is rarely an impediment to doing what you want to do, but if you are sensitive to gray weather and need sunshine, you need to take that into consideration when applying for an Americorps position.

Isolation
Sitka (population 8,500) is the only community of any size on Baranof Island and is not connected directly with any other community. There are only 14 miles of road in Sitka. You can't go into the city to "see a play or go to the mall." Getting out of town sometimes takes some planning and definitely takes some $$. There is ferry service as well as daily jet flights--which need to be booked in advance.

Medical
There are two hospitals which offer complete emergency and routine medical services as well as physical therapy and dental services. Persons who need the care of specialists must go to Seattle or Anchorage. If you have a medical condition which requires specialist care or could result in a medical crisis, please take this into consideration when applying for this position.