To learn something about each of the members of the Lakehead U. Polar Tourism 2006 group, scroll down or click on a name in the following list.
Name: Diana
Bent
Age:22
Studying:Honours
in Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Tourism/geography
University: Lakehead,
Thunder Bay, ON
Interests: kayaking,
rock climbing, hiking, swimming, biking, running,
canoeing
What Polar Tourism means
to me: I am extremely excited for this
trip. It is something I have been looking
forward to since I first came to Lakehead. I love
the winter environment and I can't wait to learn
more about it. As well the wildlife in
this part of the world will be amazing
to see.
Research Topic: Environmental
Impacts in Antarctica Caused by Human Occupation.
Name: Michelle
Clarke
Age: 21
Studying: Honors
in Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Tourism/ Natural
Science
University: Lakehead,
Thunder Bay, ON
Home town: Holland
Landing, ON
Interests to name a
few: camping, rock climbing, swimming,
canoeing, ultimate Frisbee, exploring nature
and the outdoors and traveling
What Polar Tourism means
to me: Going to Antarctica has always
been a dream for me. Therefore, this opportunity
is a once in a lifetime chance to accomplish
this dream. I am really excited to learn
and participate in tourism in this unique and
pristine environment. I am interested to
find out what exactly motivates individuals to
participate in an expedition like this. I am
also really looking forward to learning about
the environment and ecology of this unspoiled
land.
Research Topic: Regulation
of Antarctic Tourism
Name: Scott
Duncan
Age: 22
Studying: Honours
in Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Tourism/ Geography
University: Lakehead,
Thunder Bay, ON
Home town: Port
Perry, ON Interests: Hockey, soccer, canoeing,
hiking, rock/ice climbing, and my cottage.
What Polar Tourism means
to me: Polar tourism to me is the ultimate
type of expeditionary travel. Since I first ventured
to Antarctica and the Arctic in 2000, I have
been enthralled by the polar regions. It is my
life goal to have a strong involvement in polar
tourism, both as an educator and a leader. This
trip will provide all of us with an excellent
opportunity to gain first hand knowledge of this
incredible area of our planet and the issues,
which affect it. It will also provide the outdoor
recreation community a personal connection to
the Antarctic and will foster a greater appreciation
and respect for its fragility.
Research Topic: Physical
Geography of Antarctica
Name: Amanda
Graham
Age: over 40
Job title: Coordinator/Instructor,
University of the Arctic @ Yukon College
Studying/Teaching: The
Circumpolar World(s)
University/College: Yukon
College, Whitehorse, Yukon
Home town: Toronto,
Ont (a long time ago); Whitehorse, Yukon
Interests: Photography,
educational technology, the Circumpolar Worlds,
my friend's dog.
What Polar Tourism means
to me: Uh. Hm. In this instance, a fabulous
chance to visit Antarctica. No, seriously. In
general, because of my work, I tend to think
of tourism as an economic development opportunity
for some northern Circumpolar communities. I
hadn't really given the south polar regions a
lot of thought until this course and I think
that it's perhaps more about the tourists' expectations
and experiences than about contributions to communities
(as there are none on the continent). I'm interested
in Antarctica now because of the upcoming International
Polar Year (2007-2008). The University of the
Arctic will be involved and, while its interest
is in the north polar regions, we must not be
ignorant of the region and the work that will
be done in the southern ones.
Research Topic: Antarctic
Science Bases: History, Development and Implications
for Tourism.
Name: Roisin Kyne
Age: 22
Studying: Honours
in Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Tourism
University: Lakehead,
Thunder Bay, ON
Home town: Toronto,
ON
Interests: Rock
Climbing, Music, Volleyball, High Ropes Courses
What Polar Tourism means
to me: We have been given an amazing opportunity
to study humanities effect on the world. The
Antarctic and Arctic are extremely sensitive
parts of the Earth and as such, are most affected
by what we do. Not only is the Antarctic a beautiful
and majestic place, but it also holds the key
to understanding our planet and making real changes.
I am extremely excited to be part of this adventure
and to share it with this amazing group of people.
Research Topic: Arctic
Tourism
Name: Mark MacDonald
Age: 22
Studying: Outdoor Recreation, Parks and
Tourism
University: Lakehead, Thunder Bay ON
Hometown: Waterloo, ON
Interests: kayaking, rock climbing, backpacking,
skiing, snowboarding, teaching, cooking<
What Polar Tourism means
to me: Antarctica
is one of the last wild places on earth. I
want to experience it the way it has been for
millennia. I am also excited to see all
of the interesting wildlife that I do not get
to see in Ontario, Canada; particularly albatross
and orca.
Research Topic: ...coming
soon!
Name: Carrie
McClelland
Age: 22
Studying: Honours
in Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Tourism/ Natural
Science
University: Lakehead,
Thunder Bay, ON
Home town: Richmond
Hill, ON
Interests: canoeing,
reading, playing the guitar and of course singing,
skiing, hockey, as well as many other outdoor
pursuits.
What Polar Tourism means
to me: I think that as our society evolves
it is looking to more distant, remote, and relatively
untouched areas to explore. Studying the processes
and impacts of polar tourism means looking at
just
one of these areas. It is so important
that we gain a solid understanding of this industry
so that as more people choose to enjoy these
experiences we know how to minimize our impact
so that people in the future may visit as well.
Research Topic: History
of Antarctic Exploration
Name: Iain
McGale 
Age: 21
Studying: Honours
in Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Tourism/ Natural
Science
University: Lakehead,
Thunder Bay, ON
Home town: Barrie
ON
Interests: Mountain
Biking, S.C.U.B.A, Rugby, Football, Underwater
Hockey, Swimming, Lifeguard Competitions, Kayaking,
Great Highland Bagpipes
What Polar Tourism means
to me: This is a once in a lifetime opportunity
to study the environmental effects tourism has
on sensitive regions. There is much to be learned
from the leading environmental practises followed
by Antarctica tourism operators. Many of the
regulations used in this unique environment can
be applied to tourism operations worldwide. As
the next generation of tourism operators and
outdoor recreation professionals this knowledge
is invaluable.
Research Topic: Industrial
History of Antarctica
Name: Marybeth
McLaughlin
Age: 21
Studying: Honours
in Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism
University: Lakehead,
Thunder Bay, ON
Home town: Guelph,
ON
Interests: rugby,
dancing, animals, traveling, sailing, camping,
snowboarding and hockey
What Polar Tourism means
to me: I have a great love
for traveling and the outdoors. I like to get
involved in as many things as I can. I love being
with people and working together toward a goal. I
am very interested in the Antarctica trip for
many reasons. First learning about Antarctica,
its regions and tourism in a secluded area with
hands on experiences is something that you get
the most knowledge and meaning from and its
not something people do on a regular bases. Secondly
I will be studying the area with a great
group of people and learning about the natural
area, tourism aspects and the well known
leader, Shackleton along with other great explorers.
Lastly it will be an experience of a lifetime
and I feel very privileged to be apart of it!
Research Topic: Tourism
and the History of Antarctic Tourism
Name: Nicky
Nadeau
Age: 21
Studying: Honours
in Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Tourism/ History
University: Lakehead,
Thunder Bay, Ont
Home town: Cobalt,
Ontario
Interests: Painting,
sewing, fishing, swimming, timbersports, hiking,
spending time with family and friends
What Polar Tourism means
to me: For me this trip is an opportunity
I just couldnt pass up.I believe I am in
a position to be able to make a difference and
help inspire people to see this world in a different
light. My main goal for this trip is to learn
as much as possible about the Antarctic so I
am able to pass on my knowledge to our future
generations
Research Topic: Arctic
Tourism