National Geographic Explorers-in-Training
Nurture Their Passion for Exploration
Developed in conjunction with National Geographic Education, our hands-on program invites kids and teens ages 18 and under to sharpen their observation skills and bring their adventures to life through photography, video, drawing and more. From studying plankton under the ship’s microscope to building ice cream sundae glaciers or earning a Zodiac “driver’s license,” activities encourage each explorer to follow their curiosity.
The Natural World, the Ultimate Classroom
National Geographic Explorers-in-Training is offered in some of our most popular destinations—naturally fun and fascinating places like Alaska, Baja California, Galápagos, Iceland and Greenland, and on select voyages to Antarctica. Our certified field educators are experts at transforming these wild places into living classrooms, where young travelers don’t just observe the world—they experience it, connect with it and carry their discoveries with them long after the journey ends.
Exploration Highlights
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Whether your young explorer is drawn to marine biology, geology or creative storytelling, there’s a pathway for every kid to delve deeper into the wonders around them. Discover some of the ways they can connect more deeply with our program’s wild and wonderful destinations.
Exploration Highlights
Direct a Nature Documentary in Alaska
With the help of a certified photo instructor, kids can practice creative storytelling using their own smartphones. They’ll experiment with slow-motion, time-lapse and other video features while exploring the field. From soaring bald eagles to crashing glaciers, salmon runs to giant bear tracks, every shot becomes part of their unique story of the wild.
Exploration Highlights
Help Track Whales Through Icelandic Waters
Spot humpbacks, orcas and other whales from the ship’s bow; with guidance from a certified field educator, kids can upload their photos to Happywhale, a global database that tracks individual whales by their fluke patterns. The results reveal migration journeys and help kids connect to the wildlife they’ve encountered.
Exploration Highlights
Dive into the Underwater World of Galápagos
On snorkeling excursions in the Galápagos, kids might spot foraging sea turtles, playful sea lions, schools of dazzling fish, swimming lizards or even the world’s northernmost penguin. Throughout the journey, undersea specialists share footage from their own dives and help young explorers identify the marine creatures they’ve encountered.
Exploration Highlights
Unlock the Hidden World of Plankton in Baja California
The ocean’s smallest creatures play one of the biggest roles in its ecosystem. Kids can board a Zodiac to deploy a special net for a plankton tow. Back on the ship, they’ll examine their catch under a microscope, revealing the hidden world of these vital, free-floating organisms that sustain whales, fish and countless marine species.
