Home Ed Arctic Expedition

Before We Go

Each participant joins a two-day survival weekend here in the UK. This serves two purposes:

• To prepare them with the practical skills and mindset needed for Finland.
• To give us time to build rapport and trust as a team, so the expedition runs smoothly and each young person feels known and supported.

During this weekend, every student is invited to share their hopes, dreams, fears, and aspirations. From this, we create a bespoke personal growth plan for each child. These plans help them overcome personal barriers, build on their strengths, and develop the courage to support others through their own challenges. Growth here is not competitive but compassionate — every student is taught to serve others as well as themselves.

What the Expedition Includes

• Building Snow Shelters – igloos, quinzhees, and survival camps, always within safe reach of our base building.
• Camping at –20°C – learning to stay calm, warm, and organised in true Arctic conditions.
• Navigation & Exploration – trekking with snowshoes and skis across frozen hills, preparing and cooking meals at the summit.
• Fire & Survival Training – understanding how fire behaves in sub-zero temperatures and how to manage resources wisely.
• First Aid & Cold Injuries – vital, practical lessons in health and safety unique to the cold.
• Bushcraft Skills – applying outstanding levels of Bushcraft skills within an Arctic environment.
• The Husky Day – a dedicated adventure with Finland’s extraordinary dogs, a memory no young person forgets.
• Journaling & Reflection – evening workbooks to process the day, record lessons, and build habits of discipline, organisation, and self-regulation.

The Outcomes

This is more than snow shelters and huskies. The expedition is built around the growth of the whole person. Each young participant comes away with:

• Leadership & Responsibility – knowing when to step up and when to support others.
• Resilience & Confidence – facing challenge without folding, thriving in discomfort.
• Communication & Empathy – learning to listen, express clearly, and work together.
• Organisation & Discipline – mastering timekeeping, preparation, and personal accountability.
• Service to Others – realising that true strength is shown through compassion and helping others succeed.

These are not classroom theories. They are lived lessons — every day, every decision, every fire lit and meal cooked.

Who Guides the Expedition

Our instructors are mentors, not just teachers.

The Really Wild team has years of expedition experience working with young people. They have led multiple trips to the Arctic and jungles of the world too.

Our bushcraft leads are highly qualified and experienced bushcraft practitioners, grounding the programme in timeless skills that prepare young people for both wilderness and life.

Together, they ensure a balance of adventure, safety, and life-changing education.

Balance of Challenge and Comfort

We believe growth is built on balance. Alongside the demanding days, there is space for snowball fights, hot food, warm showers, saunas, and laughter. The expedition pushes young people further than they’ve ever gone before, then brings them into warmth and community to reset and reflect.

Proven Results

We pride ourselves on the outcomes. After every expedition, we have seen students return transformed: stronger, more confident, more resilient. Parents consistently tell us their children come home carrying themselves differently — more independent, more capable, and more aware of what they can achieve.

What Families Can Expect

Your child will not just bring back stories of frozen lakes, huskies, and snow shelters. They will return with a sharpened inner strength, a deeper empathy for others, and a confidence that will serve them for life.

This is Finland. This is survival. This is growth.