Our Story
Jonathan Haws
Johnny grew up in Houston, where quick and easy access to the Texas Hill Country gave him plenty of opportunities to camp, fish, canoe and explore. After earning a business degree at the University of Texas and a short career working on Wall Street, he realized that his passion was the outdoors. He has worked as an adventure guide on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska for the past 16 years, specializing in flora and fauna, hiking, biking, kayaking and bear viewing. In addition to a Wilderness First Responder medical certificate, his extensive training includes a Learn To Return bear safety course, a kayak wet-exit rescue course and a Leave No Trace teacher-training course. He is also a licensed boat captain. Johnny has lived all over the country, from New York to Key Biscayne to Lake Tahoe, but Alaska is his favorite. His love of Alaska has taken him all over the state, from Nome to Barrow (Utqiagvik) to Kodiak to Ketchikan, with extensive exploration in the Kenai and Denali regions. Returning to Nat Hab's Alaska Bear Camp and his beloved bears each summer feels to him like coming home.
What Our Guests Say
I can't say enough great things about John, because he was fantastic! He was professional and knowledgeable. He always put our safety first. He was warm and friendly. He was always there when we needed his help or had a question. It was obvious that he wanted us to have a memorable time, and he did everything he could to make sure we did.
John was knowledgeable, informative, and organized, and always enthusiastic. I appreciated his kindness and accommodation for a couple of group members with health issues. His first-hand knowledge of the history of the camp site and the homesteader who lived there made for some interesting stories and added to the experience.
John was wonderful He was knowledgeable, kind, patient, professional, welcoming and inclusive. He clearly loves the bears, the camp, and the land it helps to protect. I felt privileged to have him share the camp with us!
