Shelby is studying wild polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, through the Science Leadership Camp for teens, sponsored by Polar Bears International (PBI). Read her previous blog entry, Curious Teenaged Polar Bear Check Out Teens on the Tundra.

Hello!

We had the most amazing experience this morning: we went on a helicopter ride inland to a polar bear maternity den. Once before I have been in a helicopter, and it was with a stunt pilot that flew through the L.A. skyscrapers. Both of these were amazing flights, but today's was incredible. The view from the air was breathtaking. I didn't realize that there were so many water sources out here! When we arrived, as soon as my foot hit the tundra it sunk. The ground was covered in lichen and different types of vegetation, all of which were above a pond. We stuck an arm down into the ground and once our forearm was underground, we felt water. It was like my arm was eaten up and then I was feeling water underground.

I actually got to crawl inside the maternity den, and after a few staged shots for the documentary, I got to explore. It was bigger than I expected, and it was quite nice by bear standards, of course. I didn't mind getting dirt in my hair, or on my jacket, pants, shoes, and gloves. A bunch of us were rolling around on the lichen and taking random pictures. It felt great to be on the ground, since we have been on the Tundra Buggy Lodge for three full days now. We can't get out onto the ground at the Tundra Buggy Lodge because we are in prime polar bear country.

There have been other memories throughout the day, like seeing two white wolves on the helicopter ride back from the den. For the few seconds I saw them, they were gorgeous as ever. There are so many memories I have, so many laughs and smiles. I really am going to miss everyone.

But I must look to the future and how I am going to use all the information I have gained on this trip to help inspire others and educate them. The CBC documentary show that they have been filming during this trip will only be on in Canada, but it turns out that we are going to be able to see the whole episode on the Internet. I hope to get it on a channel in the U.S. I will also have an article in TEEN magazine, and maybe Sweet 16, too. I have tons of classroom presentations in the works and also a huge speech in front of my entire high school.

I'm so excited about the future, I feel more hope towards making a difference. I know that the people I am laughing with and learning with at this camp will be the movers and shakers in this world. They are just too wonderful and brainy to sit down and watch the world go by before their eyes. That makes me very optimistic for our generation.

Without your support, this wouldn't be possible. Thank you for reading!

Shelby S. is the San Diego Zoo's Arctic Ambassador.

View the Zoo's own polar bears on Polar Cam.

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