Churchill Summer Camps

Summer in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, for the Polar Bears International team, typically involves operating our live Beluga Cams, engaging with visitors at our public interpretive center, and taking care of behind-the-scenes operations work. As of last summer, a new focus for our team has been providing a summer camp for kids in Churchill. Education has always been an essential pillar of Polar Bears International's mission, and the summer camp has been an important step in growing that outreach and deepening our ties with the community. To me, the camp programs really demonstrate one of Polar Bears International’s greatest strengths: its versatility. The nonprofit prioritizes many aspects of conservation, from research to education. It’s very cool to see that all come together at the same time. 

Having worked in operations for Polar Bears International for a few years, I’ve realized that this job always has surprises. Summer camp is one of them. It's been great to be involved in the camps both years, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the program continues to grow. Many thanks to Cassandra Debets and Kayla McCurry for working so hard in the months leading up to camp to develop a rich and engaging curriculum. It was the perfect mix of learning and summer fun for the kids. 

There was no shortage of fun, which is what summer is all about, right? We had plenty of games, from freeze tag in the field to Jenga back at the Polar Bears International house. The older group even briefly sat behind the wheel of an electric Tundra Buggy!

One highlight was having Sandra Cook, a local artist, back for a second year to work with the kids. This year, we went out to the town beach and collected rocks. We gave the kids painting supplies and presented the idea: What can we paint that will spread kindness?

Both camp groups, ranging from ages 6 to 12, loved the painting. Despite usually being full of energy (and some noise), the younger campers were focused and quiet during the activity. A few kids tried to paint more than five rocks! They were at it up until the activity was over. Some rocks included wildlife, an inukshuk, and a sunset. After the rocks dried, the campers walked around the community and left their art in places that either had significance or felt like the right spot. If you live in Churchill or plan to visit, keep an eye out for them!

The idea of home and a sense of place is significant to everyone and is especially important to explore with kids. In both age groups, these ideas were the main focus. The younger campers were each given one large puzzle piece. From there, they drew what home meant to them. Many wrote, "I love Churchill," “Polar bears," or "Hockey." They all worked to put the whole puzzle together, highlighting how everyone's unique idea of home is the building block of community.

Another activity that the kids really loved was the chance to venture onto the tundra on a Tundra Buggy, where Georgina Berg, a Cree elder, and member of Polar Bears International’s advisory board, taught them the Cree words for the wildlife that call Churchill home, from bald eagles to belugas. Many kids had not been out on a Tundra Buggy before, despite living in Churchill, so it was an excellent experience. 

For the older group, Drew Hamilton, a guide for Discover Churchill, provided a photography lesson with the campers. Drew went over shot framing, the rule of thirds, and more. The kids set out with their cameras, tasked with capturing an image that represented “home.” Our fantastic lead counselor, Cassandra, explained that they didn't need a literal picture of their house. Instead, “home” could be a sunset, a family member, or anything the kids wanted. At the end of the week, we held an open house at Discover Churchill, where the kids showed off their work. The kids had a great time, considering they tried to physically block the door to prevent Cassandra from leaving to catch her plane home!

We had a wrap-up each week, during which everyone shared their favorite moments. Just as with last year, many exclaimed, "Everything!" One camper requested another week of camp. It’s easy to say that the kids and counselors alike are setting their sights on next year's summer camps. We’ll see you then! 

Special thanks to the many people and companies involved in making this year's camps such a success:

• The Heromado Foundation for providing the funding that made it all possible

• Frontiers North Adventures for generously allowing the use of Tundra Buggies and the Tundra Buggy Lodge and providing transportation 

• Drew Hamilton and the whole Discover Churchill team for teaching the kids photography and hosting a photography show

• Polar Bears International Board Advisors Georgina Berg and Katie DeMulles for giving their care and attention to the campers

• Sandra Cook for providing a great art environment

• Volunteers Isla Gunter and Penn X for giving of their time and energy

• Counselors Cassandra Debets, Garrett Clark, Jessie Kalinowski, and Amanda Chambers for making the camp a fun and enriching experience

• And huge thanks, too, for support and/or help with planning from Polar Bears International staff members, including Cassandra Debets, Kayla McCurry, Alysa McCall, Marrisa Krouse, Amy Cutting, Krista Wright, Kieran McIver, Joyce Noble, Sonya Faria, and summer intern Kai Choi

Last but not least, we’re grateful to the Churchill community for being so receptive to this project, and of course, to the campers!

Hayden Moran started working as an intern at Polar Bears International in 2018, while still in high school. Now PBI’s operations assistant, he also studies environmental studies and political science at Montana State University. He enjoys traveling to Churchill in the summers to support operations and also loves writing and science communications.