Young Inspiring Explorers™ Summit
Notwithstanding the challenges of Covid-19, the Trust was delighted to deliver our 2020 Young Inspiring Explorers™ Summit in Christchurch, New Zealand, Gateway City to Antarctica.
At the end of October, 19 students aged 11 to 13 spent the weekend with Antarctic Heritage Trust and Kiwi explorer and Trust alumnus William Pike. The group challenged themselves and took part in Antarctic learning experiences that included weathering an Antarctic storm, riding in a Hagglund, and meeting huskies and penguins up close at the International Antarctic Centre, along with learning about climate change first hand from NIWA Marine Physicist, Dr Natalie Robinson.
Students attending the Young Inspiring Explorers™ Summit came from all over New Zealand.
Audrey Woolford, Emily Easterbrook, Rania Jellick-Ewen, and Amy Whippy camping out for the night.
The students also found out what it’s like to live at New Zealand’s Scott Base from the team at Antarctica New Zealand, and visited Canterbury Museum to hear tales of the early Antarctic explorers’ hardships, achievements, and leadership, in the name of furthering science and exploration in the world’s most extreme environment. While there, they also had a go at hauling an Antarctic sledge, and trying out Antarctic clothing, followed by a walking tour to explore Christchurch’s Antarctic connections.
The explorers camped out overnight, and documented their journey along the way so they could share what they learnt with their communities when they returned home.
The Trust’s Summit is run in partnership with William Pike Challenge and is supported by Christchurch NZ, The Christchurch Antarctic Office, International Antarctic Centre, Antarctica New Zealand, and Canterbury Museum.
Meeting husky puppies at the International Antarctic Centre.
Trying out the early explorer’s clothing at Canterbury Museum.
