November 16, 2009 – RCA’s Ken Townsel Joins Antarctic Expedition!

Exposing our students to the world is and always will be an important pillar of our school.  Through a wonderful partnership with Delta Air Lines, we’re able to travel with our students to several countries and continents around the globe. 

One stop we are unable to make is a trip to Antarctica – the logistics of getting there is “challenging” (to say the least).  However, a wonderful opportunity recently presented itself to our Science Teacher Ken Townsel.  During a visit to our school last spring, Robert Swan - the first person to have walked to both the North and South Poles – was speaking to our students about his travels to Antarctica and his organization, 2041, which seeks to preserve the most desolate place on earth.  At that time, Swan described his upcoming International Antarctic Treaty Expedition (IATE) 2009.  Swan and Townsel began talking and before we knew it, Swan invited Townsel to join the team for the journey.

Townsel and the entire group left November 16^th for Argentina, where they began preparation for the 2-week trip.  They’ll make their way to Antarctica, where they have a full agenda.  Townsel is documenting every step of his adventure and will return to Atlanta on November 30^th, when he’ll share his entire experience with RCA students.

More on IATE and 2041

In addition to 2041’s ‘Leadership on the Edge’ Program, our International Antarctic Treaty Expedition in November 2009 will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the 1 December 1959 signing of the Antarctic Treaty and will include discussions of legacy lessons from the Treaty and the importance of encouraging all nations to respect the Treaty and preserve Antarctica for the years to come.

Antarctica: the last great wilderness on earth

The Antarctic continent is one of the most remote, inhospitable environments on earth. Harsh and inaccessible, covered by over 5 million square miles of solid ice, it is the world’s highest, driest coldest and windswept continent. The lowest recorded temperature in Antarctica was -89 Celsius (Volstok Station). No place on earth provides a more demanding environment to face the ultimate leadership challenge. Here the Inspire Antarctic Expedition (IAE) program focuses on leadership, teamwork and personal development.

Robert Swan and the 2041 team are leading an international team of corporate leaders, environmentalists, entrepreneurs, teachers and young people on a journey through the Antarctic Peninsula, visiting incredible locations and sharing his insights and personal experiences of this unique continent along the way.

Working with a group of on-board experts, IAE team members will gain firsthand knowledge of the continent’s majestic beauty, observe its fragile ecosystems and wildlife, and take time to truly become inspired by the unique experience that is Antarctica.  Team members will not only enjoy an ideal setting for personal development, but they will also be uniquely positioned to share their experiences and knowledge gained with their colleagues, friends and families back home.