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Great Bear Foundation
PO Box 9383
802 East Front Street
Missoula, MT
59807

PH: (406) 829-9378
FAX: (406) 829-9379

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Kid's Trip to the Arctic
Birds, polar bears, tundra and ice walks, tidal pool exploration, whale watching, fossil-hunting, native cultures!
Dates: August 7-13, 2007
Location: Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
Costs: $630/child and $900/adult, approx.
Faculty: Dr. Charles Jonkel
This course explores the Hudson Bay basin and focuses on the interest and activities of people aged 6-16, although adults are also invited to join the adventure. It is a great time to be in Churchill with light from 3am to 11pm!

Explorers on this field course will learn about the ecology, history, climate, tundra, boreal forest, natural history, and people and culture of the area. This will be an experiential learning course; we will see, feel, taste plants, follow tracks, talk, listen, and play games. We will also focus on the important relationship between the people of Churchill and the land they live in, which includes seeing the Eskimo Museum and the Town Centre art museum.

Seeing bears in the sumer is not always predictable, but we are usually lucky enough to see a few. We will see many birdswhales and may get to swim with them in the Chruchill River. We can also arrange rides in a helicopter or tundra buggy, but this costs extra. In Churchill we will also go on hikes and beachcomb.

From Missoula we will follow Montana's water flowing from Glacier National Park into the Saskatchewan River, to Lake Winnipeg, to the Nelson River, and finally to the Hudson Bay. As we travel north, we cross the Hudson Bay Divide, observing steady changes in the land and vegetation - passing through the long grass prairie, the montaine forests, the short grass prairie, three forest zones, and down to the sea. We will explore natural history "out train windows" and meet all sorts of people. In the past we have met Cree trappers, fishermen, hunters, their kids and families.

Trip Schedule

Getting to the train:

We will meet at the Great Bear Foundation office in Missoula -- 802 E. Front Street -- on Tuesday, August 7th. We will plan to leave Missoula by 7am and drive through the night.


The train to Churchill:

Wednesday, August 8: We will arrive in The Pas, Manitoba early and board the train to Churchill.

Learning: There will be lectures on the train about plant and animal identification, tracks, and the forest. This includes interaction with other passengers and participants.

Food: We will provide some meals and you are free to bring food for snacks. You also have the option to purchase food from the dining car. It is good and reasonably priced, but is not included in the cost of the trip.

Sleeper Car Option on the Train: If you would like a sleeper car you will need to pay extra money. The cost
is significantly cheaper if purchased on the train, but there is not a guarantee of availability.


While in Churchill:

Thursday, August 9: Arrive in Churchill (on Hudson Bay) about 8am and travel to the Chruchill Northern Studies Centre. We will spend the day and evening watching whales, looking for bears and fossils, studying arctic ecology, and other fun things.

Friday and Saturday, August 10-11: Continue the same activities; daylight from 3am to 11pm allows us to have a full, flexible, fun schedule. We board the train to The Pas at 8:30pm.

Return:

Saturday, August 11: Board the train at 8:30pm.

Sunday, August 12: On the train (see The Train to Churchill above), arriving in The Pas about 8pm. We will load up and start back toward Missoula, MT.

Monday, August 13: Continue travel to Missoula including walks along the way. Expect to arrive about 8pm.

Accomodations

The accomodations at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre are very comfortable with dorm rooms, lounges, and a dining room. We are expected to help with the dishes, fix our lunches, remake our beds when we leave, and clean rooms. The food at the Centre is great. There is even a bubble on the top of the building for watching bears and northern lights. We will all need to take great care regarding bear safety while we are in Churchill. You will need to peek both ways before going out the door and take wide corners around buildings and cars. Don't worry, we will have lectures on bear safety.

Packing

Things to bring....

  • It will mostly be warm, but wind off the water can make you chilly quickly. Bring layers of warm clothing including a sweater and a wind-breaker (not optional). Long pants are recommended to help with insects, which shouldn't be too bad in early August
  • Sleeping bag for the train ride (optional, but nice to have)
  • Spotting scope or binoculars
  • Camera
  • Food like apples, cookies, trail mix, nuts, or jerky for on-the-road and to reduce costs and make friends
  • The Northern Studies Centre can always use extra stuff that you might have lying around your house - glasses, utensils, plates, ladles, mugs, towels, brooms, tools, shovels, duct tape, blankets, videos, lamps, office supplies, and more are always appreciated.

Emergency Phone Contacts

Train station, The Pas: (204) 623-2210

Natural Resources, The Pas: (204) 623-6678 - Dale Cross

Wescana Inn, The Pas: (204) 623-5446

Churchill Northern Studies Centre, Chruchill: (204) 675-2307

RCMP, Churchill: (204) 675-8821

Call (406-829-9378) or email with any questions.
We are available during business hours, Monday through Friday.

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