We initially focus on the field and camping skills as they will help to make the trip a positive experience. We don't make assumptions that everyone is bringing an equal amount of camping experience with them to the Arctic. We do assume that most people have not had the experience of a month long, self-supported backcountry trip and so we will spend time going through a variety of tasks that will quickly become routine. These include tent use and care, cooking equipment, stoves, food storage and preparation, boat loading and care, minimizing our impact on the land, keeping ourselves clean and healthy and general first aid skills. We will paddle a short distance on one or two of these days so that everyone can become familiar and comfortable with their boat. During these first few days we will have informal seminar/talks that will focus on a variety of research topics which are being conducted currently in the Arctic. We will also be taking hikes which will focus on the idea of tundra, the vegetation and the general ecology of the area.