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Follow Arctic Explorers on a Dogsled Expedition

Barb, 10 November 2007,
Categories: Homeschool Curriculum

Follow a team of Arctic Explorers on their next dogsled expedition through Sweden, Norway and Finland. This free adventure learning program connects students K-12 with real Arctic Explorers during a 14-16 week program. During the program students can follow the explorers online through weekly chats, daily audio updates, and movie images. The program seeks to encourage awareness about indigenous people and conserving the earth’s resources. To sign up visit the site: Go North!. After you sign up you can email mporsild@polarhusky.com and they will send you a free poster. The program looks as though it was designed for the K-12 classroom teacher but I put ‘homeschool’ in the place of school and they signed me up without question.

Here is a follow up to my experience with this program:

I just received a beautiful poster from them promoting the program. I was surprised as I did not send the email requesting it. The label clearly listed me as a homeschool so apparently they are very open to enrolling us!

A reprint of an email they sent me:
Greetings from Education Basecamp:

Are you ready to gear up for the upcoming GoNorth! adventure learning expedition to Fennoscandia… Literally! We hope one of you are up for packing the bags, tying on the skies and come along with Team GoNorth! in April of 2008.

Logistics as far as a Teacher Explorer have not materialized. Thus the opportunity for one of you to join the team as Teacher Explorer 2008 is up for grabs!

To be a Teacher Explorer you must…

… Have experience teaching with our adventure learning programs in the
K-12 classroom.

… Be able to commit 16 days to travel from your location to Fennoscandia (Arctic Sweden, Norway and Finland) and back sometime end of March through April. A closer range of dates will be determined over the month of December, however the exact dates must remain flexible until very close to departure due to a nature of the expedition and the delivery of the education program from the field.

… Agree to write, and take part in audio and footage to be posted online and shared with the community at PolarHusky.com

… Like chaos! Find excitement in unexpected situations and meeting new people of different cultures.

… Be of a patient and flexible nature realizing the unknown, delays and changes is a reality to be expected.

… By April be able to be on skis for up to eight hours. You do not need advanced cross-country skills, but you do need good balance, and as a guideline feel you can easily walk 10 miles at a brisk pace in terrain.

… Have physical strength to lift your own body weight.

… Like to be outside in cold conditions.

… Like to camp, not feel easily claustrophobic and be prepared for very basic housing and amenities.

… Feel entirely comfortable traveling away to northern Europe for an extended period of time being separated from your family and friends.

… Love to have fun and eat a high fat diet!

.,. Agree to be part of the team promoting adventure learning at up to two conferences or events annually over the next three years.

… Be prepared to represent the program and your classroom experiences with the program online and in-person in your state, school district and with the press.

… Love big and very powerful (Polar Husky sled) dogs! (And not be allergic to dogs)

… Want the adventure of a lifetime.

Our deadline is tight. If you are interested in this opportunity please write an email to Mille Porsild at teacherexplorer@polarhusky.com no later than Tuesday, November 27.

We hope to be able to make decisions within days and would then ask you to ensure the full support of your school, district, family and loved ones.
The program will provide you with gear to use on the expedition, and cover your travel costs associated with the expedition.

In your email please include the following:

- A description of your experience with teaching in the K-12 classroom in particular as it relates to the programs at PolarHusky.com
- Your age, gender, weight, and height
- Why you desire to become Teacher Explorer 2008
- Any qualifications or prior experience you might have that you believe would be valuable in this context
- A current image, no smaller than 1.5 by 2 inches - no need to be fancy.

We look forward to hearing from you and soon announcing our Teacher Explorer 2008…

Think Snow!

Mille Porsild
Program Director

GoNorth! Adventure Learning for the K-12 Classroom.

Education Basecamp
University of Minnesota
130D Peik Hall
159 Pillsbury Dr SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

P: 612-625-8550
F: 612-624-8277
E: info@polarhusky.com

Explore the Arctic and experience adventure learning online!
Visit: http://www.polarhusky.com

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