Countdown to Canada Coming to a Close

My name is Caitlynn Turner, and you may have read about my previous adventures as a teen volunteer at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Now, I’m getting ready for my greatest adventure yet; a once-in-a-lifetime trip to see the polar bears.

It’s almost here, and on October 9th I will finally be leaving for Canada! I have patiently been waiting since I was chosen by the Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife, (CREW) to represent the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden at Teen Leadership Camp. This is a week-long trip spent right along the Hudson Bay in the ‘Polar Bear Capitol of the World’ known as Churchill, Manitoba.

I can’t tell you how excited I am! This is definitely a trip that will provide memories that will last a lifetime. Not only will I get to see the magnificent polar bear in the wild, I will get to meet other teens that are just as thrilled and inspired to help the bears as I am. I have been preparing to leave for a number of month as I’ve had reading assignments to do so that I have a better understanding of polar bears in general, and climate change in the arctic. I’ve applied for and received my passport; and I have been shopping to get warm layers, a hat, gloves, and other essentials so I can handle the cold weather (it’s fall in Canada, so temperatures are a “warm” 30 degrees on average during the day). I’ve even got my Canadian currency at the ready. All that fun pre-trip stuff. Now, the trip is so close I am actually starting to pack, but it hasn’t really set in that I’m leaving so soon. To tell the truth, I don’t think it will until I get up very early Sunday morning to make my flight. Until then, I can’t wait! Check back soon, and join me in this great adventure.