Since it’s my last and final blog, I would like to make it very special. So here it goes…

Dear Mom and Dad,

I would like to thank you SO much for pushing me into writing that paper and helping me rehearse my interview. I can still remember the night when you read me the email about the camp and said, “Sarah, you really need to do this. Your dad and I will help you with whatever you need to get this opportunity because you just need to do it.” I remember thinking, “You guys are crazy! I have so many things going on in my life I couldn’t possibly have enough time to do a thing like that.” Going to Caribou, rehearsing the interview in the hotel breakfast room, and reminding me to talk to my teachers were all steps in the process of me being here. So because of all your nagging, yelling, convincing, and encouraging, I got to go on this amazing leadership camp to a land far away where the wind blows strong and the bears walk free. I have learned more about the world, the environment, and myself as a person in this one short week than I have in the 17 years I have lived on this planet. (and that is not an exaggeration) The people here were amazing and because they traveled from all over the world to be here, it brought me a sense of togetherness and friendship that I have never experienced before. I have made new friends and gained new heroes. All because of you guys, I gained leadership skills, speaking skills, and life lessons. In this one week, I got to experience once in a life time opportunities that most people don’t get to encounter in their entire life. All because of you Mom and Dad, I got to learn about our beautiful environment first hand and make tons of new friends that will have a place in my heart forever. As I sit here looking out the window at the barren tundra and the gray skies, I ponder what is going to happen when I return home. Honestly I am overwhelmed. After thinking about how I got this incredible opportunity, I know that you guys are behind me 100%. I also know that when I return, you will do anything and everything you can to help me and support me with my future plans for our community and the world.
So I want to thank you again! This happened because you love and care about me. Out of this camp, I feel like I have gained a deep passion for my environment, my planet, and of course the polar bears.

Thank you Mom and Dad SO much!! I love you more than anything and I know that when I return home from this beautiful life on the tundra and get caught up in my hectic life, I will do everything I can to make you proud and be the daughter you’ve always dreamed of.

With all my Arctic love,

Sarah

Far far away on a Tundra Buggy in Churchill Canada, there existed a group of ambassadors who were out to save the world. They’d heard of this interesting creature called the Ursus maritimus (polar bear), but had never witnessed them in their natural habitat. On a cold cold night out on the Tundra these fascinating animals appeared from beyond the distance. They were not frightened by the ambassadors, they were actually some what curious about them. They sniffed around and went as they pleased around the Lodge. As soon as one was spotted all the ambassadors ran to see this spectacular sight. Pictures were taken, dreams were fulfilled, and minds were inspired. The ambassadors stayed to ooh and ahh while the bears just toddled back and forth, until they found themselves a comfortable spot for the night. While the bears went to sleep so did the Arctic Ambassadors, tired from all the excitement. They fell asleep hoping the bears would still be there in the morning and dreaming of their adventures for the next day.
When they finally awoke bright and early from the musical stylings of Robert, they jumped from their bunks to see if the bears were still there. The ambassadors were upset when they saw that the bears had moved on, to finish their own adventure. So sad and down ambassadors ate their breakfast in silence. When one optimistic ambassador looked out the window hoping and praying for the bears to be back, she was surprised when the bears came around the bend. They jumped from their seats and ran to the window hoping to see the magnificent animals once more, to prove that their night was real. They took many pictures but had mixed feelings when they had to leave for their prior engagement.
The ambassadors hopped on the Tundra Buggy heading for another once in a lifetime experience. They had worries and jitters as they waited for the ride they were about to receive. A mechanical bug hovered for a few seconds before landing, the ambassadors watched with excitement as a woman stepped from it. She told of stories where bears were once seen resting, and wanted leaders to check the places out. She walked to them to the helicopter and sent them on there way. The ambassadors arrived at a spongy cliff looking over a river; they walked around in search for where these bears may have rested. Until one leader pointed out where the bear had been resting, it was a hole in the cliff where a bear could fit. They inspected in and around the area finding evidence to show bears were there.
After an hour or so they headed back to the Lodge where they discovered that the bears had finally moved on. They were a little sad and disappointed but they knew it was for the best.

THE END

Based on a True Story

The day began with Robert singing “Oh what a beautiful morning! Oh what a beautiful day!!!” in a very… well let’s just say… awakening pitch and tone of voice. Like everyday, we all rolled out of bed, excited to begin a new day of exploration. We were greeted by a dazzling sunrise which lit up the skies in oranges, yellows, and reds. After huddling out on the deck between the buggies with Ruth and taking tons of sunrise pictures, we gathered in the dining car for breakfast. We were served scrambled eggs, toast, sausage, and grits! YUM.

We ventured onto the tundra, hoping to spot some bears, and after almost giving up and going home James did! Out in the distance along the horizon, James spotted the mom and two cubs that we think were the ones we spotted yesterday. The group got to witness them trudging across the water in a single file line and resting in the grass on the other side. That was an amazing site. I definitely took a lot of pictures!

After returning from our adventure on the tundra, we did some group activities and then Carolyn and Robert's friends from Churchill came in and talked with us about their career as trappers. Parker, Jim, and Betty brought with them tons of different pelts from various animals which were incredible! Everyone got to feel them and take pictures with them. They told us about their lives and told us some stories about their hunting experiences, definitely very inspiring...

The group then was greeted by a man named Kevin Burke. He is an official Tundra Buggy driver. We all sat in the meeting car listening to his fantastic stories about driving the buggy's and how he got started in the business. His inspirational stories and final words of advice encouraging us to "follow your dreams," brought tears to my eyes. Kevin is an amazing guy. The group just sat in their seats holding their breath, waiting for Kevin to tell the next part of his story.

Now after these inspiring speakers and jaw dropping stories told by some of Churchill’s most looked up to people, I will have many things to ponder over the next few hours… until I begin my amazing adventures on the tundra again!!!!!

Good night!

Today was the day!!! All I have to say is “OH MY GOD”!!!! We, or should I say Eva, sighted the first polar bears of the week. A mom and her cubs were aimlessly walking around on the tundra very near to the Hudson Bay when “we” campers spotted them in the distance. It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen. Robert Buchanan was right…”all I could hear was the sound of my own heart”. We followed them for about 2 and a half hours on our tundra buggy, inspecting them walk in a line, lay down in the grasses, and peek up from behind the weeds. I took about 150 pictures, which was nothing compared to Bri, who took an unbelievable 500!! They were just so adorable!

Well this whole experience started off with breakfast at around 7:30 which consisted of oatmeal, toast, cereal, yogurt, and of course….the famous Vegimite! (loved by the Australian, Amy!) Everyone else thinks that it’s completely disgusting!!! After breakfast we gathered in the meeting car for a meeting about what we wanted to get out of this camp and a little conversation about the landscape and natural happenings of the tundra. The group got abruptly interrupted with a bear warning, and we were all told to get our stuff, get dressed, and head out to the tundra buggy for some exploration! So everyone frantically ran to the sleeping cars and put on their long underwear and blue coats. We were all fabulously excited with the fact that we might encounter our very first bear!!!!

So the group loaded onto the buggy and after we all settled in to our seats we were off! After about an hour of bumpin’ along over the rocks and through the mucky ponds of the tundra…and spotting an arctic hare and some fascinating birds, Eva spotted our first bears!!!! We followed them, staying close enough away so they wouldn’t be scared, but close enough to them so we could all hover around the windows and frantically take picture after picture of every move that they made. It was pretty astonishing to watch these incredible creatures move about in their natural habitat, and to know that I’m here to learn about them and what impacts their lives.

Now I’m off to dinner!

Oh and a shout out to Ms. Bartol and Mrs. Halvorson’s classes!

Hey everyone!!!! The week of PBI camp has finally arrived and right now I’m sitting in the “meeting car” of the Tundra Buggy Lodge. I arrived in Winnipeg yesterday at around 2 PM and all was well. I was greeted by Robert and Carolyn Buchanan and soon was greeted by the other teens sitting at the hotel restaurant! Everyone was so welcoming. We sat and talked until everyone had arrived at about 4:30 and then were gathered in the “Lakeside” meeting hall in the hotel. We participated in an ice breaker, listened to guest speakers from the sponsor’s of the camp, and ate a delicious dinner (which had AMAZING deserts!)

After dinner we had a power point presentation by Robert Taylor who takes incredible pictures out here on the tundra! I envy his photogrphic skills. After that inspiring power point, we were given CANADA GOOSE JACKETS!!!!!!!!, probably the most amazing jackets ever. We are the first camp to receive these incredible expensive blue jackets with a fur hood! How cool is that?! After the meeting we departed to our rooms and got ready for bed. My roommate was awesome! Her name is Maribeth Flowers. Seeing we had to arise at 4 AM, we went straight to bed after talking for a while.

We woke up in a timely fashion, packed our bags, and headed back to the airport where we boarded our own small jet which we got to enter by ladder like all of the really important people! It was sweet! After a 2 and half hour plane ride at 6:30, seeing the beautiful sunrise from the sky, and landing safely at the Churchill airport, we were all eager and ready to see polar bears!!!! Everyone visited Parks Canada, which is a wildlife center with facts about the areas wildlife and history and got their Blog pictures taken. We hopped on a coach bus and headed for the small town of Churchill (population of about 900). Very different from St. Paul, but definitely very neat! We ate at Gypsy’s café (I had chicken strips and a brownie!), walked to the post office, headed down to the school and community center of the town and went down to the Hudson Bay!!!!! It was amazing. I felt the freezing cold water for the first time and it felt…well..cold! We did have to watch out for polar bears on our walk, because they are known to waddle around town unexpectedly! After our visit in Churchill, we hopped on the coach bus and visited the polar bear jail, met with Sean Bobier who is a Conservation Officer of Churchill and saw the way they trapped the bears!! Polar Bears sometimes like to wander into town and mosey on down the street and bother the residents! Because of these doings, a “jail” was built to keep the bad bears for about a month or until the water freezes over and then they can be taken back to their natural habitat. It was really amazing to see!!!!

After that, we were finally on our way to the Tundra Buggy!!!!! What we all had waited for, for months, was finally about to happen! We pulled up to the Tundra Buggy and boarded the enormous vehicle! Everyone was in awe of how gigantic the tires were and that there was a toilet onboard! It was very exciting. After a 2 hour drive through puddles of mud, over rocks, and through grasses, we arrived at the Tundra Buggy Lodge! (without spotting a bear unfortunately…) We all unpacked, picked our bunks and had a meeting of rules while we are on board the buggy lodge! The view is….let’s just say it’s flat and barren. But very calm and pretty at the same time!

The group just finished dinner which consisted of veggie soup and sandwiches from Gypsies! We are hoping to witness the Northern Lights tonight, since it’s clear and hopefully all of us will get a good night sleep for our adventures of sightseeing and learning tomorrow!

‘Til tomorrow!