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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.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
9 days
Program Begins
Winnipeg, MB
Program Concludes
Winnipeg, MB
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
22 ( 8B, 7L, 7D )
Activity Level
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.
Best of all, you'll...
  • 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
The amount of walking in this program is dependent on the weather, temperature can be quite cold, getting as low as -18 F. 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. Your regional flights between Winnipeg and Churchill is provided by CalmAir. As a rural commuter airline, they impose strict baggage restrictions for all passengers. One 50lbs checked bag per person is included with the flight, plus one carry-on and one personal bag. Your carry-on and personal bag cannot exceed 20lbs or dimensions of 10" x 16" x 12" in size. Any oversize, overweight, or additional bags may be subject to additional fees. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices will be unavailable.
All Experts
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
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!
Ron Waldron is a Saskatchewan educator with 36 years of classroom teaching experience in the Saskatoon Public School Division. He introduced several portable planetariums to the division and, as planetarium director, trained more than 200 teachers in their use. He also worked as a group leader at the observatory on the University of Saskatchewan campus. An avid amateur astronomer, Ron is currently proprietor of Living Skies Stargazing, dedicated to providing telescopic views of the universe up close and personal.
Please call the toll free line at 1-866-745-1690 during regular business hours or for non-urgent matters (Mon - Fri 8:30 - 4:30 EST). The mobile phone #1-613-331-5777 is for after hours and weekends for emergency use only. The phone is carried by a staff member.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Activities may include dog sledding, snowmobiling, and walking on snowy or ice-covered terrain. Extent of walking can vary dependent on weather conditions.
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Books and Resources
View Full List
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call 800-454-5768
Enroll with Confidence
Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.