Into the Arctic Skies: Aurora and Astronomy in Churchill

Afternoon: Program registration begins at 4:00 pm. After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the 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 check in.

Dinner: Enjoy a buffet meal at 6:00 pm at the hotel. Coffee, tea, and water are included. Other beverages are available for purchase.

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. 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: Walking up to 1.5 miles on pavement and in museum, some standing; snow covered, icy terrain. Dress warmly in layers.

Breakfast: Enjoy a breakfast buffet at the hotel which includes hot and cold options, juice, milk, coffee and tea.

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: Enjoy a soup and sandwich at the Manitoba Museum. Coffee, tea, and water are included. Other beverages are available for purchase.

Afternoon: 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.

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: The evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure.

Activity note: The flight to Churchill is approximately 1.5 hours. Walking up to 1 mile on pavement, snow covered, icy terrain. Dress warmly in layers.

Breakfast: We will enjoy a meal to-go ahead of our early morning flight to Churchill, consisting of a muffin, fruit, yogurt, and coffee.

Morning: Our journey begins with our flight to Churchill, MB scheduled to leave from Winnipeg, MB.

Lunch: Eat like a researcher! Enjoy a buffet meal at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre (CNSC). There are several options for starters, main courses, and desserts. Coffee, tea, and water are included. This is a working research center, in which guests are asked to assist with dishwashing and clean-up.

Afternoon: An expert at the Studies Centre will lead a safety briefing and orientation.

Dinner: A buffet meal with options for starters, main courses, and desserts will be available at the CNSC. Coffee, tea and water are included.

Evening: Learn about the CNSC and the surrounding area in a lecture presented by CNSC staff.

Activity note: Walking up to 2 miles, some standing. Dress warmly in layers.

Breakfast: A breakfast buffet with hot and cold options will be provided at the CNSC. Coffee, tea, water and juices are included.

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: CNSC buffet.

Afternoon: Explore the deep natural history of the area through educational videos.

Dinner: CNSC buffet.

Evening: We'll take part in an evening lecture with an expert and then venture out for some sky watching.

Activity note: Walking up to 2 miles, on slippery, snowy or ice covered terrain. Dress warmly in layers for several hours outside.

Breakfast: CNSC buffet.

Morning: Learn about snow ecology during a presentation at the CNSC.

Lunch: Center buffet.

Afternoon: Embark on an exhilarating trip within the tree-line transition zone and see a snow sampling demonstration. We’ll ride sled-shuttles pulled by snow mobiles into the nearby forest across packed trails and gain an understanding of the different kinds of snow during a snow sampling. Learn about depth, density, the various layers of snow, and about snow crystals. Step inside and explore a constructed snow shelter before walking 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: CNSC buffet.

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.

Breakfast: CNSC buffet.

Morning: Watch a screening of a locally filmed major motion picture related to Inuit life in the Arctic.

Lunch: CNSC buffet.

Afternoon: 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.

Dinner: CNSC buffet.

Evening: Enjoy a lecture by a local expert prior to sky watching (weather permitting).

Activity note: Walking up to 2 miles, on slippery, snowy or ice covered terrain. Dress warmly for the interpretive walk in the morning.

Breakfast: CNSC buffet.

Morning: Enjoy an interpretative walk of the Churchill area with an expert.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is an opportunity to explore the many diverse culinary experiences available. A bagged lunch is available.

Afternoon: 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. Visit the Parks Canada Interpretive Centre, situated in the Churchill Heritage Railway Station. Exhibits and audio-visual presentations focus on the history of the fur trade and explore human and natural history.

Dinner: 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: Partake in an Indigenous cultural presentation beneath the Arctic night sky.

Activity note: The flight to Winnipeg is approximately 1.5 hours.

Breakfast: A breakfast buffet with hot and cold options will be available at the CNSC. Coffee, tea, water and juices are included.

Morning: Share what you’ve learnt and explore other topics during our morning presentation at the CNSC.

Lunch: CNSC buffet.

Afternoon: Free time at the center. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Dinner: CNSC buffet.

Evening: Enjoy the flight to Winnipeg, MB.

Activity note: Hotel check-out by noon.

Breakfast: At the hotel, we will enjoy breakfast, with coffee, tea, water included. 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!