FAQs for Churchill Travelers

How is this course different from a tour?

This is a field course on arctic ecology, and the emphasis is on learning. We also strive to minimize our impact on the wildlife, its habitat, and the local people, while also supporting the local economy. Typical commercial Churchill tours are more geared towards tourism and entertainment, and while you may have memorable experiences viewing the polar bears up close, chances are your tour may actually be causing negative impacts on an already threatened species.

GBF offers a non-commercial, inexpensive, low-impact alternative to the rampant industrial tourism of Churchill. We work hard to keep the cost of this course as low as possible to offer this opportunity to as many people as we can. It is for this reason that we make/bring many of our own meals, and stay in affordable, locally owned accommodations.

We operate our program as close to actual cost as possible, to keep it affordable. Keeping that in mind, we gladly accept donations to help keep this program affordable and accessible, offering a once-in-a-lifetime educational opportunity to people of all walks of life. Please contact us if you are interested in sponsoring a trip for a student or someone of low economic income.

While in Churchill, the staff provides lectures and programs and we include local cultural speakers and residents. If you are enrolled in a school, college, or university, we are happy to work with you and your advisor to develop an independent project for credit at your home institution.

What is the difference between the courses, Polar Bears 101 and Sharing Habitat with Polar Bears?

Some years, we offer two fall sessions, each with its own focus. In years where only one session is offered, it will combine content from both programs.

Polar Bears 101 is a general introduction to polar bears, their biology, ecology, behavior, and conservation status, aimed at people of all ages, interests, and abilities. This course offers an overview of polar bears, climate change, the Churchill area, Hudson Bay and arctic ecology, as well as lessons on photography, northern cultures, and the impacts of human activities on wildlife and habitat. This is a great entry-point to the world of the polar bear, and for people interested in a broad overview of the polar bear and its habitat. Families with children will be well-suited to this course.

Sharing Habitat with Polar Bears: how people and polar bears coexist takes an in-depth look at the relationships between people and polar bears, both historically, and in the present. We’ll look at community responses to living with bears, the history of polar bear biology and management in Canada and internationally, changing perceptions of polar bears as they have become a tourist attraction and a living symbol of climate change, how people have shared habitat with polar bears in the Arctic over tens of thousands of years, and how we as global citizens share a planet with polar bears in a rapidly changing world. With field trips and guest speakers, this course takes a more in-depth look at polar bears in Churchill, with a more rigorous curriculum and a little bit more physical activity. Polar Bears 101 is not a necessary prerequisite.

Do I need to take Polar Bears 101 first?

Our two field courses offer different perspectives on the polar bears of Churchill, with some overlapping material. It is not necessary to take Polar Bears 101 before Sharing Habitat with Polar Bears. If you are considering taking both courses, we recommend starting with Polar Bears 101, but reversing the order will not take away from your experience. Both courses are primarily based on field observations, so no two sessions will be the same, and depending on what we encounter, the same course will vary significantly from year to year. Both courses are timed at the peak of Churchill’s polar bear season. Being at the mercy of nature’s whims, we do not anticipate bear-viewing opportunities to be significantly better during one session than the other.

What is meant by dorm-style accommodations?

The rooms at the CNSC are set-up like dorms with bunks and shared bathrooms. Each room has four bunks, and bathrooms and showers are nearby. Generally, the rooms are arranged by gender. It can be difficult to arrange for couples to share a room because of limited room options, but we will do our best to accommodate your requests–please let us know well in advance if you have a rooming preference. We’ll likely try to put two couples together in the same room, as long as everyone is comfortable with that arrangement. GBF and CNSC Staff try to accommodate special requests, but we are not always able to do so. Also, if you have special physical needs (i.e. cannot access a top bunk), please notify GBF staff so we can make prior arrangements. All rooms are close to bathrooms. Linens for the bunks and towels are provided by CNSC, but you will need to bring your own soap and shampoo. The Centre provides delicious meals served cafeteria-style, with vegetarian options upon request in advance. We take turns helping out with the dishes after each meal.

What if I would like to add an additional excursion, such as a dog sled tour?

Please tell us well ahead of time, and we will arrange day tours at an extra cost. We encourage course participants to support the local economy in Churchill whenever possible, rather than the large, industrial tourism companies operating there, and we are happy to discuss options with you. We do not support the use of tundra vehicles (also known as Tundra Buggies), due to their impact on the bears and their habitat, and instead, we encourage participants to help keep our impact minimal. However, we prefer for participants to make up their own minds on this issue, and we will help arrange these tours if desired. Please let us know well in advance, because it becomes much more difficult to reserve day tours, especially tundra vehicle tours, once we get to Churchill.

Do I need a passport?

If you are traveling from the US, passports are required for travel to Canada. A passport card may be used for overland travel to Canada, but we recommend a full passport, in case you need to fly home for an emergency.

Do I need a sleeping bag?

Linens, towels, and pillows are provided where we stay in Churchill, but you will need toiletries and personal care items including shampoo and soap.

Just how cold is it in the Arctic?

The temperature varies greatly from year to year. Generally the average temperature on the Autumn trip is between zero and 20 F, but it’s also common to see subzero temperatures. Fierce winter storms are not uncommon, and it can be very windy wind even in “good” weather (which, of course makes it feel much colder). You can expect temperatures anywhere from -20F (or colder!) to +32F. We often see ALL of those temperatures over the course of our trip….

The summer trip can also see variable temperatures and conditions from very cool (45F) and rainy to as high as 80F. Bug screen headgear is essential and long sleeve layered clothing is highly recommended with a good wind resistant jacket and hoodie.

What food is provided and what do I need to bring/buy myself?

In Churchill, all meals are provided by the Centre, and are included in the cost of the trip. Please let us know ahead of time if you are a vegetarian or have any other food requirements or allergies.

Are weather and travel delays a consideration?
Churchill is located in a remote region of Northern Manitoba. Trains can be delayed or even canceled due to extreme weather conditions. We highly recommend the train journey–it’s a unique experience, and a great way to get a sense of the changing landscape from Winnipeg to Hudson Bay. The Great Bear Foundation is not responsible for travel delays cancellations. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance and keeping travel plans flexible. It’s a good idea to give yourself an extra day in Winnipeg on each end of the trip in case of travel delays.

Berries, Belugas, and Bears–Summer Trip to the Arctic

This course explores the Hudson Bay basin and travelers on this field course will learn about the ecology, history, climate, tundra, boreal forest, natural history, people, and culture of the area. It is a great time to be in Churchill with light from 3am to 11pm and many migratory populations moving through. The Aurora Borealis may put on a good display this time of year as well, with clear weather conditions.

This will be an experiential learning course of the many ecosystems and we will also focus on the important relationship between the people of Churchill and the land they live in. This includes seeing the Itsanitaq Museum, the cultural Town Centre, and getting to know the ways of living in such a remote area.

Beluga whales are the main focus of the summer trip, as we’ll visit Churchill when they have their calves in the Churchill River. We’ll also be watching for polar bears, arctic and red fox, migratory birds, raptors, arctic and snowshoe hare, ant other wildlife. We will arrange a boat or kayak tour to better observe the whales, included in the price of the trip. In Churchill, we will also go on hikes and beach-comb. At least one day, we will plan to drive to an area called Twin Lakes where there is a possibility of seeing Caribou and fox.

Video highlights from our 2022 Summer Trip, courtesy of Frank Tyro

Great Bear Foundation Summer Highlights from Frank H. Tyro on Vimeo.

Trip Schedule

Churchill:

Arrive in Churchill Tuesday, and get checked in and oriented at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre. We will spend the afternoon and evening watching whales, looking for bears and fossils, studying arctic ecology, and other fun things.

Continue the same activities; daylight from 3am to 11pm allows us to have a full, flexible, fun schedule. Leave Churchill on Sunday.

Accommodations:
The accommodations at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre are very comfortable with dorm rooms, lounges, and a dining room. We will help out with dish duty at breakfast and dinner, and prepare our own sack lunches each day. The food at the Centre is great! If you have visited CNSC before, you may be surprised by the brand new (opened in 2011), state of the art, LEED certified facility!

Fall is peak season for polar bears in Churchill but even during the summer months we almost always see a few. 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. Never stray from the group and always look around while we are outside. Don’t worry, we will have lectures and on bear safety and we’ve never had a problem on our trips. GBF staff is extremely experienced with bears and bear country.

Boat or Kayak Tour:

This is offered through Sea North Tours, a locally operated company that engages in ethical tourism practices. Before the tour, we will listen to a discussion on the beluga whales. The tour will take us up the Churchill River where we will be able to observe pods of beluga whales. They congregate in the river this time of year feeding on capelin and having their calves. We will be able to see many calves with their families while on the boat and will be able to listen to them talking with the aide of hydrophones. Belugas are the most vocal type of whale in the world and this provides a very neat experience to be able to listen to them as they swim past. The second part of the tour takes us to the opposite shore of the river where we will be able to explore the reconstructed remnants of the Prince of Wales Fort and learn that part of Churchill’s history. It’s about 4 hours total and included in the price of the trip. Alternatively, at the same location a kayak rental is also available where you can paddle in the Churchill River and observe the whales.

Packing:

Things to bring: It will mostly be warm, but wind off the water can make you chilly quickly, and weather can change dramatically without notice. 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. 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

Weather and Travel Delays:

Churchill is located in a remote region of Northern Manitoba. Trains can be delayed or even canceled due to extreme weather or railroad conditions. We highly recommend the train journey–it’s a unique experience, and a great way to get a sense of the changing landscape from Winnipeg to Hudson Bay. The Great Bear Foundation is not responsible for travel delays cancellations. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance and keeping travel plans flexible. It’s a good idea to give yourself an extra day in Winnipeg on each end of the trip in case of travel delays.

Get Information and Register for a Class

Trip Deposits/Payments

Please contact Great Bear about registering for a Churchill Arctic Field trip before making a deposit to be sure there is room on the trip you’re interested in taking.

All Churchill Arctic trips require a $500 deposit (per traveler) for confirmed reservations.

Field trip costs for 2024:

We charge a service fee for credit/debit card payments on trip balances (but not deposits) to cover Paypal’s processing fees. To avoid processing fees, you may pay by check. We do not charge the processing fee when you pay your deposit, just on your final payment, or if we have to refund your deposit.

Once Great Bear tells you there is room, secure your place by making a deposit below through PayPal or by mailing a check to Great Bear Foundation, PO Box 9383, Missoula, MT, 59807, or PO Box 1616, Haines, AK 99827.

Choose this option to pay your deposit or trip balance. You will receive a confirmation emails from PayPal and Great Bear Foundation; “Paypal Great Bear” will be the billing on your card statement. To send a deposit by check, mail to Great Bear Foundation, PO Box 9383, Missoula, MT, 59807; or call (406) 829-9378 for our Montana office or (907) 766-2024 for our Alaska office.