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Manitoba

Into the Arctic Skies: Aurora and Astronomy in Churchill

Program No. 7931RJ
Come for the chance to fulfill a dream and witness the northern lights beneath the brilliant skies of Churchill, Manitoba.
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Small GroupScience & TechnologyNature & Environment
Length
9 days
Rating (4.93)
Activity Level
Starts at
6,299

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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
9 days
8 nights
What's Included
22 meals ( 8B, 7L, 7D )
8 expert-led lectures
7 expert-led field trips
2 flights during the program
5 hands-on experiences
An experienced Group Leader
8 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously). See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Afternoon:
4:00 p.m.: After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to meet with program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you arrive. Take some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This program is staffed with a Study Leader, who will provide educational content, and a Group Leader who will deal primarily with logistics. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. Periods in the schedule labeled “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable while going out to explore on your own, engaging in available activities independently, making new friends among fellow Road Scholars, or simply relaxing. The Group Leader will always be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking up to 1.5 miles on pavement and in museum, some standing; snow covered, icy terrain. Dress warmly in layers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will transfer by motorcoach to immerse ourselves in the stunning beauty of Aurora Borealis by watching a live planetarium presentation at the Manitoba Museum, recorded over seven months in the Arctic Circle.
Lunch:
At the Manitoba Museum.
Afternoon:
We will continue on the motorcoach to explore the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, which delves into Canada’s commitment to human rights, including failures, successes, and ongoing struggles. This museum stands on Treaty One land where archaeologists have discovered more than half a million objects tracing human activity back over 6,000 years. This field trip will be led by museum interpreters who will explain the Aboriginal concepts for humanity and human shared responsibility. Afterwards, we’ll take the motorcoach back to the hotel and adjourn for the day.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Boarding/deboarding a plane; flight to Churchill is approximately 2.5 hours. Walking up to 1 mile on pavement, snow-covered, icy terrain. Dress warmly in layers. PLEASE NOTE: Churchill Northern Studies Centre will provide a final itinerary once we arrive. The current schedule is tentative and the order of programming is subject to change because of weather.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Our journey begins with our flight to Churchill, MB scheduled to leave from Winnipeg, MB.
Lunch:
Eat like a researcher! We’ll enjoy a meal at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre (CNSC) before checking in to our accommodations there.
Afternoon:
An expert at the Studies Centre will lead a safety briefing and orientation.
Dinner:
At Churchill Northern Studies Centre.
Evening:
We’ll take part in an evening lecture with an expert and then venture out for some sky watching (weather permitting).
Activity Note
Walking up to 1.5 miles, some standing.
Breakfast:
At Churchill Northern Studies Centre.
Morning:
We will learn about current research at CNSC and explore the “green building” on a walk around the property with a resident staff member.
Lunch:
At the Centre.
Afternoon:
At the Centre, we’ll watch a screening of an award-winning documentary on climate change.
Dinner:
At Churchill Northern Studies Centre.
Evening:
We’ll take part in an evening lecture with an expert and then venture out for some sky watching (weather permitting).
Activity Note
Walking up to 1.5 miles, on slippery, snowy or ice covered terrain. Dress warmly in layers for several hours outside. Getting on/off sled shuttles. Duration on the skidoo approximately 5 min, up to 1 mile.
Breakfast:
At Churchill Northern Studies Centre.
Morning:
We will learn from a staff member about the subarctic in winter during a presentation at the CNSC.
Lunch:
Lunch at the Centre.
Afternoon:
We’ll embark on an exhilarating trip within the tree-line transition zone and see a snow sampling demonstration. We’ll take turns riding on snowmobiles into the nearby forest across packed trails and gain an understanding of the different kinds of snow during a snow sampling. We will learn about depth, density, the various layers of snow, and about snow crystals. Afterwards, choose to walk back to the CNSC on groomed trails or ride in comfort on the sled-shuttle. Those who prefer may relax and enjoy the amenities of the CNSC.
Dinner:
At Churchill Northern Studies Centre.
Evening:
An illuminating lecture by a local expert will expand on the program’s theme before we enjoy a relaxing evening of sky watching (weather permitting).
Activity Note
Walking up to 1 mile, on slippery, snowy or ice covered terrain. Dress warmly in layers for several hours outside. Warming hut and outhouse on site. Duration on the dogsled approximately 5-10 min, up to 1 mile.
Breakfast:
At Churchill Northern Studies Centre.
Morning:
This morning’s field trip will feature exploring the former Churchill Research (Rocket) Range with a local expert who will give us a better idea about how well our clothing holds up to the wind and cold temperatures.
Lunch:
Lunch at the Centre.
Afternoon:
We’ll embark on a dogsledding trip into the boreal forest with a local musher. This authentic experience reflects the culture and history of Manitoba’s north. Dogsledding was the most efficient method of travel, from fur trading to mail delivery. Dogsleds can carry two people, one riding in the “basket” of the sled, while the musher leads the dogs while standing on back runners. We’ll then return to the Centre.
Dinner:
At Churchill Northern Studies Centre.
Evening:
At the Centre, we’ll enjoy a lecture by a local expert prior to sky watching (weather permitting).
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving 37 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking up to 1.5 miles, on slippery, snowy or ice covered terrain. Dress warmly for the interpretive walk in the morning.
Breakfast:
At Churchill Northern Studies Centre.
Morning:
With an expert staff member from the Churchill Northern Studies Centre, we’ll travel by bus in and around the town of Churchill for an area visit.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Along with an expert staffer, we will study some of the oldest Inuit artifacts and sculptures in Canada at the Itsanitaq Museum. This museum prizes the advancement of knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of Northern culture and history. We’ll then visit the Parks Canada Interpretive Centre, situated in the Churchill Heritage Railway Station, which will explore at our own pace independently. Exhibits and audiovisual presentations focus on the history of the fur trade and explore human and natural history.
Dinner:
We will enjoy an evening social with a wine sampling and a meal featuring local wild game and other unique cuisine (arctic char and homemade bannock served with locally made jams and jellies).
Evening:
We will partake in an Indigenous cultural presentation beneath the Arctic night sky. Prepare for check-out and our flight to Winnipeg tomorrow.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Boarding/deboarding a plane; the flight to Winnipeg is approximately 2.5 hours.
Breakfast:
At Churchill Northern Studies Centre.
Morning:
We say goodbye to the Churchill Northern Studies Centre and transfer to the airport for our flight to Winnipeg.
Lunch:
Boxed lunch from CNSC.
Afternoon:
Our flight from Churchill is scheduled to arrive in Winnipeg at 5:30 p.m. (subject to change).
Dinner:
At the hotel. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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