2022 – June Summit | Antarctic Heritage Trust

The Young Inspiring Explorers™ Summit in June 2022 saw 20 year 7-9 students from across the country spend the weekend with the Antarctic Heritage Trust and Kiwi explorer William Pike.

Throughout the weekend, students challenged themselves and took part in Antarctic learning experiences including:

connecting with the US Amundsen-Scott South Pole research station (situated at the South Pole) via a zoom call and speaking with the station’s H&S Officer
weathering an Antarctic storm, riding in a Hagglund, and meeting huskies and penguins up close at the International Antarctic Centre
visiting Canterbury Museum and hearing tales of the early Antarctic Explorers’ hardships, achievements, and leadership, in the name of science, exploration, and survival
hauling an Antarctic sledge, and trying out Antarctic clothing from various era’s of Antarctic exploration
exploring Christchurch’s Antarctic connections and gateway status on a walking tour around the central city
experiencing a Virtual Reality tour of Sir Edmund Hillary’s Antarctic Hut.

The Young Inspiring Explorers™ documented their journey along the way so they could share what they learnt with their communities when they returned home.

Having completed the Summit, the students become members of the Antarctic Heritage Trust’s Alumni Programme.

The Young Inspiring Explorers™ Summit 2022 was generously sponsored by the US Embassy and Consulate in New Zealand.

Highlights from the Summit

20 students from 20 different schools around New Zealand, from as far north as Auckland and as far south as Stewart Island completed introductions at the Trust’s office full of enthusiasm, nerves and excitement. The programme commenced at the International Antarctic Centre where students rode the Hagglunds, experienced Antarctic storms, and met the huskies and penguins.

Throughout the day students absorbed Antarctic science and explorer stories and demonstrated their Antarctic knowledge, proving that their pre-programme learning had given them context and an appreciation of all things Antarctica.

The Young Inspiring Explorers™ accommodation was at the Omaka Scout Camp. The evening highlight was taking part in the Trust’s Virtual Reality experience of Sir Edmund Hillary’s Antarctic base. The VR experience transported the young explorers to Hillary’s 1957 home on the Ice, established to support the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition (1955-58) and the International Geophysical year (1957-58).

Sunday morning started with a special satellite link call with the US Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. The excitement was visible on the students faces as they were given a tour of the ‘spaceship’ like base and a peek outside into a minus 70 Celsius frozen moonlit landscape. Representatives from the US Embassy and Consulate in New Zealand joined the Young Inspiring Explorers™ for the call and presented to the group on the special relationship between Christchurch and the US Antarctic programme which has operated out of the city for the last 40 years.