Volunteer
make a meaningful impact
You can help
strengthen subarctic science
Join a Volunteer Expedition to get a unique travel experience: hands-on experience at an active research station!
Whether you’re collecting samples in the field, maintaining our on-site sustainability efforts, or assisting our kitchen staff, your trip will not only be a source of fascinating experiences, but it will also provide tangible benefits to the CNSC.
We are currently accepting applications for our Beluga season, and other dates will be announced soon. Adult, senior, and student volunteers over the age of 19 are welcome.
Participating in a volunteer expedition at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre will create long-lasting memories. This is a unique, immersive experience, structured to enable learning. You gain a behind-the-scenes, multi-faceted perspective of how a remote research facility operates, while becoming part of a close-knit and resilient community. It’s a rare opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way while learning about life in the North.
– Yen Yen Yip, Winter 2026
What to expect on a volunteer expedition
- Three week assignment
- 36 hours of work per week
- Limited enrolment
- Shared accommodations
- Nutritious meals
- CNSC membership
- CNSC swag
- Green Building tour
- Town and area tour
- Nightly Northern Lights watch
- Recreational activities
- Transportation in Churchill
- Wapusk Dogsledding
Your schedule will vary day-to-day based on time of year, current research projects, and CNSC operations.
You can expect to help with meal preparation, dish washing, housekeeping, cleaning, guest interactions, community outreach, and night duty with opportunities to assist with data collection and our sustainability projects.
You will be performing physically and mentally demanding work, sometimes starting your day at dawn and finishing late at night.
It can take time to adjust to our remote location, as well as to the climate – especially during the colder winter months.
If you’re up for the challenge, we know that the rewards will be worth it. You will be inspired by our work and our community, and you will come to love and respect the north as much as we do.
Plus, you will feel proud knowing that your financial contribution also allows us to provide researchers an affordable, accessible location to continue their valuable work.
UPCOMING volunteer expeditions
Beluga season
This Volunteer Expedition takes place during Churchill’s spectacular beluga season, when more than 5,000 beluga whales gather in the estuary. In addition to the regular volunteer experience, participants will enjoy two Zodiac tours and the unforgettable chance to kayak or paddleboard alongside these curious, playful whales.
July 3 to July 30, 2026
July 28 to August 18, 2026
$880 CDN per week
polar Bear season
Join this Volunteer Expedition during Churchill’s thrilling polar bear season, when bears begin their annual migration toward Hudson Bay in anticipation of sea ice formation. Alongside the regular volunteer program, this season offers exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities and an exciting full day out on a Tundra Buggy in the heart of polar bear country.
October 6 to October 27, 2026
October 27 to November 17, 2026
$850 CDN per week
Northern Lights season
Experience the magic of the North during our Volunteer Expedition in peak aurora season, when long nights and clear skies create incredible northern lights viewing opportunities. In addition to the regular volunteer program, participants can attend engaging lectures about the science of the aurora and build photography skills to help capture this unforgettable spectacle.
February 2 to February 23, 2027
February 23 to March 16, 2027
$725 CDN per week
We accept a limited number of volunteers on each expedition to ensure we can provide the best training and support to those who join us. Submitting this form does not guarantee your participation.
After you click submit, you should receive an email from us. Please check your junk mailbox if you don’t see it in your inbox, and add us to your contacts to ensure you don’t miss any important information!
Volunteer Expedition Application
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Pssst…. if volunteering seems like too much work, check out our immersive, educational trips called Learning Vacations. No dish washing required.