I didn’t get the chance to finish my blog last night, it was a busy night. For a recap of yesterday… We woke up and after breakfast the bears were back! We didn’t have much time before we had to go to meet our helicopters though. The bears left the lodge about the same time we did. After waiting a few minutes in the buggy we started to hear the buzz of the helicopters and all crowded out the door to look. It was yet another one of those moments I will never forget. Four helicopters came off the horizon and landed in a row in front of us. Thirty minutes, later the fifth one came. We split in to our teams and loaded on to the helicopters. Flying over the tundra was beautiful! The ground criss-crossed with rivers, and beautiful colors! When we landed it was like stepping on a sponge. The ground had all sorts of lichen and bushes of all colors on it. One group at a time went to see the den and the rest of us walked around taking pictures. A few people got their legs stuck up the hip in the ground. It was very peaceful lying on the soft ground, face up to the sky. The cave itself was neat but it was kind of sad how it wasn’t fully intact any more.

Last evening was long. We got back looked at pictures, my group cleaned, started to blog. For dinner the theme was a PJ surprise party for Sarah’s Birthday. The night also had a very serious and emotional twist to. We practiced our elevator speeches, when we were sharing them it was evident how passionate every one was. We are a team of people who really can make a difference. Lisa-Joy led a discussion on how our society was built on excess, and luxury but it was much more than that. It’s funny how when you think you know enough to go back and answer every all the question you learn something totally new. I’ll never know every thing about global warming but Id like to learn all I can. I feel after this trip I now have a strong base for of knowledge. Also it was interesting to hear every ones action plans. There are some great ideas out there, big ideas! And I have to doubt that they will be made happen. Also we all worked on our personal goals whish are equally important. We cant be role models if we don’t make changes in our own lives.

Although I’m sad to be leaving this beautiful place where I have made so many goods friends and learned so much, I’m just as excited to get home and teach people what I’ve learned. I’ve been worried these past few days that when I get home I’ll be all inspired for a month or so and then get cough up in life and loose the passion I had here. I believe that what I found here is real and it will last. I’m determined not to loose this. Our little community we built here is so strong and I know that when we get back and things are hard we will always have one another for support. I have no doubt we will make a difference. We will change the future.

“I went to the arctic to put myself in a isolated place where I could see the disappearing polar bears and truly discover and understand how to make a difference in this world. I came not knowing what to expect, now I know we’re all in control of our own future, the future of polar bears, and the future of this world.”

Today started off like all the others. We woke up bright and early to the sounds of Roberts “wonderful” singing. After breakfast we went for a ride on the buggy and saw our mother and two cubs again. With them as a background we rehearsed our first videoconference!

I think we were all a bit nervous for our first chance to tell people our message. After our run through we all were in place waiting to connect with a tenth grade group from Winnipeg. Sadly, the group had to cancel because there were a few misunderstandings. It was okay though, we still got to talk to the fourth graders and they were soooo cute! Also they are the generation after us, and the sooner they can understand the plight of the polar bear and how to stop global warming the better. Our conference went well, and I think we now feel even more ready for tomorrows!

All these guest speakers and debates are really making me more aware of how this issue of global warming really isn’t as simple as it may seem, but I guess nothing ever is. Global warning’s not black and white, there’s no right or wrong answer. This trip has really made me more aware of how multi-sided the issue of global warming and how no one is totally wrong. Last night Robert gave a very powerful and somewhat disturbing speech that although was difficult to hear was very important. We needed to see the truth, even if it wasn’t pretty. I could spend this whole blog talking about last nights talk. What I’m trying to get at though is that this camp is amazing, it’s honest and is really inspiring; preparing us to make a difference. It’s helped me to see things differently and in more ways than one. I now know that we can all make a difference and we will.

There are so many questions I have now that I had never considered before. My whole way of seeing things and thinking has changed. I feel like I have learned more at this camp then I have so far in school or through others telling me about global warming; really important things. It’s empowered me with the knowledge and the confidence to make this cause my own and to make a difference.

Tomorrow we’re going on a helicopter to see a maternal den! This should be a great experience and a lot of fun. The trip is almost over and I want to make the most of every last moment. I’m excited for the next few days to start thinking about a solid plan of what I can do in my own community.

Yesterday was amazing! Three bears, the northern lights - what more could I ask for? But then today came and it was so much more. Starting off with a great breakfast we took off on the Buggy.

The drives on the buggys are always relaxing, right after breakfast and a restless night…its sort of like your trying to sleep, but you also want to see a bear, so your eyes are peeled to look for bears, so, the harder it is to stay awake. Today we were on the home stretch back to the lodge when James spotted a bear and her two cubs! Today was a a better day to see them; they were back lighted against the water and it made for a beautiful composition! After watching them for a while we went in for lunch. Other then just our usual food our guest brought a moose roast for us to try and home made bread with home made strawberry jam, it was very, very good! Following our lunch, Betty, Jim and Parker, our guests, talked with us about their experiences living around the area, and about trapping. It was interesting to hear how although, many have problems with animal trapping, the trappers have the highest respect for the animals and are helping them in retrospect. When they take one they are making the way for the others easier. Also, they use every part of the animal; it’s part of there culture.

Later in the day, we had yet another speaker, he was a native to the Churchill area and told us stories of his life and being around when the buggys first started. His stories were beyond interesting. We were all sitting there, eyes peeled waiting to see what happened next. He left us with a message though, “always follow your dream.” Although it may seem to be a cleche, the way he explained made it seem more real than any ever before. Any thing people have a passion for, they can make some thing from. If it be art, or conservation… He taught us that dreams really can come true.
Also, one of the other groups presented today. It was very well put together in a debate form. They did a good job of educating us on both sides of global warming. It was interesting that even though every one at this camp is for conservation that we all found the opposite argument more powerful and easer for the average person to relate to. This led to a discussion on how we could present our information differently so more people could relate to it. We need to be prepared to face these questions when we get home.

Tomorrow we are having two video conferences and we have all been busy preparing. It is kind of exciting, as this is our first chance to educate others on what we’ve learned here so far. It’s really the start of our mission here, as we go back to our own home- towns and start to make a difference there…

WOW! Since I first arrived here in Canada everything has been a total blur. When I arrived Thursday, I met so many new people! At a dinner we got to know each other better by playing a game where we discussed hot environmental issues with one another. After dinner we had a few people speak and got to eat with PBI Leadership Camp alumni. I thought that this was one of the best parts of the night. Just to get to talk to them and see how their experience at camp had impacted them; it was every inspiring.

The next morning we had to get up bright and early, before 5 A.M. to catch a plane to Churchill. I couldn’t sleep on the plane so I occupied my self by looking out the window, which was a good call. It was beautiful! The sunrise over the clouds was to die for. After 3 hours of flying we arrived on the Churchill landing strip. It was freezing! Even for my standards, living in Jackson WY. The changing colors of the tundra were amazing too! All the reds and oranges! From the airport we went to The Parks Canada Center in the train station where they had a lot of really cool exhibits. Also today we ate a well-earned lunch and Gypsy’s and walked around the town. The town is a lot smaller then Jackson, which is hard for any town to be. They have a town center, which I enjoyed seeing. It was the school, library, swimming pool, and ice rink all combined. It was the town hang out. After that we proceeded to “The Polar Bear jail” where two bears were being held but we didn’t have the chance to see them. We talked to Sean from Conservation Manitoba at the Jail. It was interesting to hear about his job and how there were significantly less bears in the jail due to a few factors like…the dump being moved and there just being enough food this year so the bears weren’t driven to look for food in town. One of my favorite parts of the trip so far was the way Robert Buchanan presented us with information. Giving us both sides of each issue and letting us discus what we thought was right, or if it was even as straight forward as “right and wrong.” Also, the way he presented the information was very powerful! Bringing us to significant places relevant to what he was teaching us. I’m looking forward to more of this and thinking more on the subject presented today.

The ride on the Tundra Buggy was amazing! Unlike anything I have done! It is like a huge school bus but more comfortable and can go off road; well anywhere it seems. It took us about an hour and a half to get to the Tundra Buggy Lodge. We went right across the tundra, through pounds and all. It was a lot of fun. Sadly we have yet to see a polar bear but my anticipation is only growing so when we do see one it will be that much better! We finally reached the lodge. I didn’t really know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised. The lodge is a train like thing. There’s both boys and girls bunks that are very comfortable, bathrooms with showers, a kitchen…its like a mini motel. We had a warm dinner which tasted sooo good after such a long day. The day is almost over and I can’t wait to see what crazy adventures will take place tomorrow! I look forward to maybe seeing some Northern Lights tonight!