Family Learning Adventure: Beluga Whales

Day 01

Welcome to Winnipeg

Our summer vacation is finally here! We arrived in Winnipeg today and already the kids can’t stop talking about everything that we get to see and do in Churchill over the next few days. After checking into our downtown Winnipeg hotel, we have some free time to explore the Forks National Historic Site, which is right where the hotel is located! The Forks is a popular tourist destination filled with parks, trails, restaurants and a unique indoor market.

Later in the evening we meet with our Frontiers North Interpretive Guide for a formal meet and greet. Everyone – especially the kids – have tons of questions about the tour, which our guide answers easily and walks us through our itinerary for our time in Winnipeg and Churchill. Next stop is bed time and then tomorrow we continue our adventure in Winnipeg! 

Day 02

Assiniboine Park Conservancy

Today we head to Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park Zoo for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of their Journey to Churchill exhibit! The exhibit features Churchill's incredible wildlife, like polar bears and seals. The kids especially loved the interactive glass tunnel where the majestic mammals actually swam and played right above them! The exhibit also has animals like muskox, wolves and moose. It was the perfect learning experience and introduction to northern wildlife, now we especially can't wait to travel to Churchill tomorrow! 

After the Journey to Churchill program we have some free time to explore Assiniboine Park. Strolling through the wide-open green spaces we discovered the beautiful English Garden and then the Nature Playground. You can also rent tandem bicycles to explore even more of this gorgeous park! 

We head back to the hotel and are so excited for the morning so we can travel to Churchill!

Photo © Assiniboine Park Zoo

Day 03

Churchill Adventure Begins

Today we are off to Churchill! After a very early breakfast our tour group heads to the Winnipeg airport for our flight to Churchill. The flight is two and a half hours.

Our first day in Churchill is all about the beluga whales! We get up close and personal to the whales in our tandem kayaks. There are dozens of whales swimming all around us - what an incredible wildlife experience! It was so special having the kids right with us as the whales gently nudged the bottom of our kayak. We were told these belugas are friendly, but we had no idea they would be this curious and social. We had the option to try stand-up paddleboarding instead of a kayak, but the kids chose kayaking.

The fun isn't over yet for the day. Tonight we are treated to a yummy pizza dinner and bowling at the Town Centre Complex with the Canadian Junior Rangers. It's an awesome way to connect with some local kids and learn about what it's like to grow up in the Beluga Whale Capital of the World. What a great first day of family fun in Churchill!

Photo © Dan Harper

Day 04

Tundra Buggy adventure

Today is a day for learning! First we head to Parks Canada Visitor Centre to learn about the people of the fur trade and what they ate. The look on the kids' faces when they were told what pemmican is was hysterical!

Next we get a tour of Polar Bears International House, a space used to educate Churchill visitors about polar bears and climate change. It was awesome for the kids, as they are very passionate about the environment and love to hear all they ways they can help to conserve our wildlife.

Now it's time for a Tundra Buggy® adventure into the vast and colourful Churchill Wildlife Management Area! We board the Tundra Buggy and – after a safety talk by our Tundra Buggy Driver – head out onto the tundra in search of summer polar bears, arctic foxes, hares, and more types of plants and flowers than you can imagine growing in the North! The tour allowed everyone to learn from our guide about the many different types of plants, birds and animals that are native to the Churchill area. 

Photo © Kevin Wagar/The Wandering Wagars

Day 05

Dog carting, Beluga Whales and Family Recreation

This morning we head to a local dog yard to experience dog carting in the boreal forest! Dog carting is just like dog sledding, but with wheels instead of a sled. Our host Dave Daley introduces us to his team of sled dogs and explains to us the importance of dog sledding in northern culture and history. The kids loved meeting all the different dogs and hearing about their stories and unique personality traits. 

Next is our second encounter with Churchill’s beautiful beluga whales! Our tour group enjoys a three-hour boat tour on the Churchill River viewing the pods of curious whales. This excursion also included a stop for a walking tour at the historical Prince of Wales Fort where a Parks Canada Interpreter teaches us about the famous explorers who lived at the fort in the 18th Century.

Later today we head to the Town Centre Complex for some family swim time - because what's a family vacation without a swimming pool? Next is a chance for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Beluga Boat, a vessel documenting the daily goings-on of belugas in the river, equipped with above and below water cameras allowing viewers around the world to see the belugas up close via live stream. 

Lastly, we meet a local artist for an art workshop. After getting our creative juices flowing we end up with some awesome pieces to take home and remember our trip by!

Photo © Doug Ross

Day 06

Last Day in Churchill

Today is our last day in Churchill. We cap off the trip with a nature walk, a guided hike through the unique summer landscape of Churchill. Again, we are in awe at all the beautiful colours that grow in the North - we had no idea!

At the end of the nature walk we are sad that it's time to head back to Winnipeg. As we board our flight, the kids are already asking when we can come back. 

Photo © Jessica Burtnick

Day 07

Depart Winnipeg

It's time to head home.

This was a summer vacation our kids will never forget. Not only was it an incredible fun adventure for them, but also a really great learning experience for all of us. We definitely plan on returning to Churchill again in the future!