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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At a Glance

The clear skies of Churchill’s winter will thrill and challenge any sky watcher. With over 300 nights of auroral activity, Churchill is the best spot on the planet to view the northern lights. Our instructor will lead you through the fascinating world of comets, deep sky objects, meteors and northern lights. Visit the Manitoba Museum in Winnipeg for an in-depth study of the region’s natural history and an introduction to the vast subarctic region of Northern Manitoba.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Activities may include dog sledding, snowmobiling and walking, dependent on weather.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Discover the world of comets, deep sky objects, meteors and northern lights in the planet’s top viewing spot.
  • Spend an afternoon dog sledding in the boreal forest.
  • Take an exhilarating ride by snowmobile into the boreal forest and experience snowshoeing.

General Notes

This program stays in unique accommodations. Be sure to review the lodging description for the Churchill Northern Studies Centre. If you enroll in a Single room, it is only available for the two hotels in Winnipeg but not in Churchill.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Alan Dyer
Alan Dyer is a writer and producer of planetarium programs for the TELUS Spark Science Centre in Calgary. He is one of Canada's best-known astronomy writers and serves as associate editor of SkyNews magazine, Canada's magazine of stargazing. Alan also takes the opportunity as often as possible to visit the southern hemisphere to pursue both interests under southern skies. His other obsession, eclipse chasing, has taken him to every continent, chalking up 15 total solar eclipses. Asteroid 78434 is named for him.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Alan Dyer
Alan Dyer View biography
Alan Dyer is a writer and producer of planetarium programs for the TELUS Spark Science Centre in Calgary. He is one of Canada's best-known astronomy writers and serves as associate editor of SkyNews magazine, Canada's magazine of stargazing. Alan also takes the opportunity as often as possible to visit the southern hemisphere to pursue both interests under southern skies. His other obsession, eclipse chasing, has taken him to every continent, chalking up 15 total solar eclipses. Asteroid 78434 is named for him.
Profile Image of David Hems
David Hems View biography
David Hems has had a career centered on the management of cultural heritage sites with a strong focus on interpretation and presentation. After earning a degree in anthropology, he spent nine years working for the Manitoba Historic Resources Branch and 20 years with Parks Canada as an archaeologist and a heritage resource adviser throughout Western and Northern Canada. David was able to follow his passions travel and the sport of ice hockey. He played semi-professional hockey in Germany and another coaching in Northern Italy!
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You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
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.
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9 days
8 nights
21 meals
8 B 6 L 7 D
DAY
1
Check-In, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Winnipeg, MB
D
The Fort Garry Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre

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: Welcome dinner at 6:00 pm 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. 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.

DAY
2
Manitoba Museum, Planetarium, Human Rights Museum
Winnipeg, MB
B,L
The Fort Garry Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre

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 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: 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: Dinner on your own to explore local fare, or join your group leader for dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY
3
Fly to Churchill, Safety Briefing & Orientation
Churchill, MB
B,L,D
Churchill Northern Studies Centre

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. PLEASE NOTE: Churchill Northern Studies Centre will provide a final itinerary once you arrive at the centre. The current schedule is tentative and the order of programming is subject to change because of weather and the presence of polar bears.

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! Enjoy a meal at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre (CNSC). There are several options for starters, main courses, and desserts. Coffee, tea, and water are included.

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).

DAY
4
Current Research, Film Screening, Sky Watching
Churchill, MB
B,L,D
Churchill Northern Studies Centre

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

Breakfast: At Churchill Northern Studies Centre.

Morning: Learn about current research at CNSC and explore the "green building" on a walk around the property with a resident staff member.

Lunch: Lunch at the Centre.

Afternoon: 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).

DAY
5
Snow Ecology, Snowmobile Trip, Snowshoeing
Churchill, MB
B,L,D
Churchill Northern Studies Centre

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

Breakfast: At Churchill Northern Studies Centre.

Morning: Learn about the subarctic in winter during a presentation at the CNSC.

Lunch: Lunch at the Centre.

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. 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).

DAY
6
Research Rocket Range, Dogsledding, Sky Watching
Churchill, MB
B,L,D
Churchill Northern Studies Centre

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: 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: 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: At Churchill Northern Studies Centre.

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

DAY
7
Itsanitaq Museum, Parks Canada Center, Sky Watching
Churchill, MB
B,D
Churchill Northern Studies Centre

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

Breakfast: At Churchill Northern Studies Centre.

Morning: Travel by bus in and around the town of Churchill for an area visit. Watch out for arctic foxes and arctic hares!

Lunch: Lunch in town of Churchill at participants' own expense.

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.

DAY
8
Churchill, Free Time, Fly to Winnipeg, Farewell Dinner
Winnipeg, MB
B,L,D
Courtyard by Marriott Winnipeg Airport

Activity note: The flight to Winnipeg is approximately 1.5 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: Farewell dinner at the hotel.

DAY
9
Program Concludes
Winnipeg, MB
B

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!






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