King Penguins on South Georgia

One Scout on a past expedition had the incredible opportunity to visit St. Andrews Bay and Salisbury Plain on South Georgia Island — two of the most awe-inspiring wildlife sites anywhere on Earth. At St. Andrews Bay, he found himself surrounded by more than 100,000 king penguins, their brilliant orange neck feathers glowing against the icy backdrop. Fuzzy brown chicks huddled near their parents, and the constant symphony of penguin calls echoed across the beach. It was an overwhelming, humbling experience to stand among so much life in such a remote and wild place.

Later, while hiking through Salisbury Plain, he encountered fur seals basking in the sun, giant petrels gliding overhead, and a landscape shaped by glaciers and time. The sheer beauty and ecological richness of South Georgia Island left a lasting impression — and impacted him so deeply that, upon returning home, he changed his college major to the sciences. His Antarctic experience sparked a new passion for environmental stewardship and scientific discovery, showing how one journey to the end of the world can help shape the course of a life. We fully expect to visit these same breathtaking locations in 2026, offering a new group of Scouts the chance to stand where he stood — and maybe even be inspired in the same life-changing way.