Learning vacations
Intake for participants
Welcome
To the CNSC
We are looking forward to sharing our love of the north with you when you arrive at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre.
To ensure you can maximize your time at the Centre, we ask that you read and complete all of the steps below before your arrival.
- Read the Guest Briefing
- Confirm your travel plans
- Read each of our waivers and forms
- Complete and submit the agreement
- Read the Welcome Package (sent to you via email)
CNSC Guest Briefing
Click the tabs along the side to see all the information.
- Masks are no longer required to be worn in the facility unless you show cold/flu like symptoms.
- Hand sanitizer stations are throughout the facility. Please use them when you pass by them. Help stop the spread of germs.
- Thanks to the Canadian Red Cross, the CNSC offers FREE rapid tests for our staff and guests. If you would like a test at any time during your stay, please ask a staff member.
- In the event of a fire alarm, head directly to the lobby and wait for further instructions. Do not use the elevator.
- If evacuation is necessary, try to leave in a group. Head to the front of the building and get into one of the vehicles located in the front.
- There are three staircases in the building – one at each end and one in the middle of the accommodation area.
- Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the building or on the outdoor observation deck. We have a fenced area, for your safety, where smoking is permitted.
Rooms
- Each room has its own thermostat for your comfort. The thermostat displays the current room temperature and the up/down arrows at the bottom control that set the temperature which is kept at 19C° in the summer and 20C° in the winter.
- You are welcome to cool your room by opening your window. Please turn the thermostat down & take care when opening the windows when it’s windy. Make sure to close the window when you leave your room.
- Each room has two bunk beds. For your safety, we ask that you please take care when using the ladder to climb up to the top bunk. The ladders are already set up when you enter the room, so please look at the set up so you remember.
- Do not enter a room that you are not assigned to. If you need additional blankets/linens, please let a staff member know.
Water & sewage
- The water is safe to drink throughout the building. A water cooler is in the cafeteria for your convenience.
- If you notice water where it should not be or taps/toilets are running, please notify staff right away.
- Only toilet paper and human waste can go down the toilet. We use a septic system and clogs can cause severe damage that is very costly to repair.
- Composting toilets are located on the 2nd floor in the woman’s west end washroom and in the men’s east side washrooms. Please do not use these toilets to dispose of hygiene items; use the trash cans available instead.
- Thank you for helping us conserve water.
Housekeeping
- Never move into an empty room without prior permission. The room may already be reserved, under repair, etc. You will be billed additional fees.
- Each bed is provided with bed linens, pillows, and towels. We do not provide daily turnover services so if you require fresh linens, please let a staff member know. Old linens can be placed inside your room on the floor. Housekeeping will collect them when they drop off the fresh linens.
- We do have laundry machines that you are welcome to use after 4pm. Detergent and dryer sheets are available at the reception desk for $4+ tax. Do not leave laundry in the machines overnight.
- In the spring/summer/fall months, bleach cannot be used in our septic system.
Guest considerations
- The entire accommodation dorm is a quiet area. Please be respectful when closing your room doors and keep talking low as the dorm room walls are thin and sound travels. Quiet time is from 10:30pm-7:30am. You are welcome to use one of the gathering rooms to hang out.
- The CNSC is a scent free facility. Refrain from wearing colognes and perfumes.
Outdoor observation deck
- The outdoor viewing deck is an excellent vantage point to observe the natural world, including the occasional polar bear and northern lights. No food or beverages are allowed on the deck.
- When going out onto the deck, please let someone know. It is for your safety.
- Never throw food or other items over the deck. This is baiting an animal and it comes with legal consequences.
Aurora dome
- When in the dome room at night, we ask that you be cognizant of other guests and turn the lights out in the room if others are watching the lights.
- Exterior lights can be turned off for better viewing as well.
- Be considerate and take turns when using the dome, as everyone wants to get the chance to look.
Gift Shop
- Hours are 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
- The library offers an assortment of books in case you forget one, as well board games and puzzles for you to use while you are here. If you have a spare book, please feel free to leave it behind.
- Cell phone signals are extremely poor here at the CNSC. We do have a cell phone booster located in the lobby, which provides a good signal so you can make a phone call or return text messages.
- The Centre has limited toiletries on hand. If you require something, please ask at the reception desk.
Travel information
Waivers & forms
Wildlife Acknowledgement Waiver
The Churchill Northern Studies Centre (CNSC) is located in a potentially dangerous environment. Known wildlife species in the area include wolf, moose, arctic/red fox, and bears (grizzly, black and polar). Polar bear numbers here are highest in the fall, but you could encounter a polar bear at any time of the year. Every animal should be treated as though it poses a threat to you. The guidelines in this waiver apply to all wildlife.
To reduce human-wildlife contact, the Centre has safety protocols in place.
The following are precautionary measures to reduce your risk. Read the following information carefully and sign the waiver if you understand all statements.
- The CNSC will provide wildlife safety information for you to read. It is for your protection and benefit that you read it carefully.
- It is important that you notify a CNSC staff member prior to leaving the building for any reason using the research board in the lab
- Smoking is only permitted in the caged area outside the researcher doors.
- All outside doors must be kept closed at all times. Bear bars are on the outside windows.
- If dangerous wildlife is seen outside, DO NOT leave the building and please notify a staff member immediately.
- There is no camping of any kind and hiking/walking will be dependent upon the season and previous bear sightings.
- Researchers are expected to coordinate their activities with the CNSC science department.
- It is unlawful to feed or harass polar bears. The placement of food with the purpose of attracting, feeding, or holding polar bears is prohibited. It is also prohibited to approach a polar bear or active bear den closer than 100 meters. Choosing to feed or harass bears can result in charges and the removal from CNSC property.
Release of Photographic and Video Images
To the Churchill Northern Science Centre (CNSC) and its directors, officers, employees, representatives, and agents (collectively called the “Agents”).
I hereby assign and transfer to the CNSC and the Agents, all rights, title, and interest whatsoever which I have in the photographs, motion picture, sound recordings or video footage which the CNSC or the Agents have taken of me or my child or ward (the “Participant”).
I consent to the use by the CNSC and its Agents of the images, motion picture, sound recording or video footage for all purposes whatsoever, including, without limitation, for television, publication and any trade, advertising usage or stock sales, in perpetuity, worldwide.
I agree that all photographs, motion picture, sound recordings or video footage of the Participant, and all duplicates thereof, are the exclusive property of the CNSC, and that the CNSC may dispose of all or any of them in any manner whatsoever, without any accountability to me.
I hereby release the CNSC and the Agents from all actions, debts, accounts, claims, contracts and demands whatsoever, including, without limitation, any claim of my moral rights, which I or my heirs may have at any time as a result of the images, motion pictures, sound recordings or video footage, referenced to above, and any matter that may arise out of or in connection with the subject matter of this release.
I have read this Agreement and understand that it contains a promise not to sue the Churchill Northern Studies Centre or the Agents and that it constitutes a release of liability and an indemnity for all claims.
If the Participant is under the age of eighteen, I confirm that I am his or her parent or guardian and that I have executed the Agreement on behalf of the Participant.
This Agreement will be binding on myself or my child or ward, as the case may be, and our respective personal representatives, heirs, and assigns.
Agreement
You will receive a copy of this information by email after you hit submit.