Visit to the MV Polar Athena
From April 10 to 15, Geoff and team members will travel to Sweden to visit the MV Polar Athena and meet with numerous SOI partners.
Polar Athena – photo from https://www.secretatlas.com/ships/polar-athena
Meeting with the Swedish Ambassador
On March 26th, Geoff met with the Swedish Ambassador to Canada; Signe Burgstaller and Deputy Head of Mission, Charlotta Rodhe to discuss the upcoming Students on Ice Arctic Expeditions in July, and other exciting possibilities for Canada-Sweden collaboration in the Arctic!
Annual CanGeo Polar Plunge @ Meech Lake
Geoff participated in the Royal Canadian Geographical Society’s Polar Plunge on March 8th for the 3rd year in a row to help raise money for the Society’s education programs! #BeBoldGoCold
Here are somefun photos for the dip into frozen Meech Lake!
Monaco Polar Symposium
Geoff attended the Polar Symposium event in Monaco, Feb. 25-27, 2026. It was a great event focused on discussing both Arctic and Antarctic science, projects, priorities, and partnerships.
Here is Geoff with Meg O’Hara, artist ,environmentalist and 2022 SOI alumni!!
Hearts Wide Open: Polar Journeys Inspiring Global Youth
As the Students on Ice Foundation (SOI) celebrates its 25th anniversary, its mission to inspire and connect global youth through polar journeys, place-based education, and environmental activism is more relevant than ever.
Hearts Wide Open is about the extraordinary young people who have joined SOI’s ship-based expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic, as well as the legendary educators and supporters who have made it all possible. Stunning photography and stories illustrate the power of nature and community-building in transforming the way we view our planet and our connections to each other.
In their own words, alumni share highlights of their expeditions – including polar bears, penguins, and polar plunges! – and speak to the lasting impact SOI has had on their lives. They give shape and expression to SOI’s groundbreaking model that combines experiential learning, adventure, art and music, cultural engagement, and training and opportunities in the Sustainable Blue Economy.
Uplifting and hopeful, every page of Hearts Wide Open captures the awe-inspiring beauty of the poles, the importance of fostering positivity and confidence among youth, and the need for optimism, compassion, and concrete action to protect the future of our planet