Youngsters at Monifieth High School are being put through their paces in preparation for a 75-mile Arctic expedition.
A total of 15 pupils are being trained up to ‘athlete’ fitness level by charity Polar Academy ahead of the challenge.
They are also learning survival skills including navigation, camping and outdoor cooking skills, and skiing.
Ten of them will then travel to a remote northern area of Greenland, where they will pull sleighs containing their food and kit during a 10-day skiing journey.
The remaining five youngsters, who are on the reserve team, will later get the chance to take part in an exchange with children from a remote Inuit village.
Expedition team member Douglas Baird, 14, from Auchterhouse, said: “Polar Academy came to the school and talked about what they did.
“I thought it was amazing that people my age get to do that, it looked super cool.
“I was shocked when I found out I’d been selected, I never thought they would pick me because a lot of people put their names down so I was really happy.”
On the expedition the youngsters will walk through unmarked land, cross unnamed mountains and possibly even see the Northern Lights.
They might spot arctic foxes at night around the campsite, although they have been told it would be extremely rare to see a polar bear.
Euan Hanbury, 14, from Monifeith, said: “I’m very excited about it, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity that not many people in Scotland will get.
“I’m most looking forward to cross-country skiing and cooking my own food.”
Euan said the training is ‘hard going’ but that his fitness level is much better than when he first started, resulting in an increase in self-esteem.
“I feel much more confident walking around school and asking for help in class,” he added.
“I wouldn’t have spoken to these people before but I’m friends with them now.”
The group have become close through their intense weekly workouts and extreme one-off training sessions such as entering a cold chamber and removing their socks, shoes and jumpers.
They have learned to control their heartrate underwater in full immersion training in a swimming pool.
And they have already bagged their first Munro during a residential trip to Aviemore where they hiked through the Cairngorms.
S3 pupil Grace Wilcox, 14, from Dundee, said: “I was excited and nervous because I’d not done any camping or hiking before.
“It was difficult and a bit cold but it was good. Navigating and leading the team was nerve-racking but it was fine when I got used to it.”
Grace added that she is feeling nervous about the expedition and the prospect of two weeks away from home, but feels reassured in the friendships she has built within the team.
She said: “It’s nice to have a group of people where you can speak to anyone and have them there to support you.”
The youngsters’ support network stretches further afield than their own school as 15 pupils from Arbroath High School are also taking part in Polar Academy.
Every Tuesday the two schools come together for training.
S3 pupil Rose Black, 14, said: “I’ve noticed a difference in my fitness but also in myself as a person.
“I feel more confident, and a lot calmer and happier. I don’t usually open up to people quickly but I have done with these people and we’re friends now.
“It’s nice to have that and do something together.
“I’m very excited about the expedition. I know it will be difficult but once we’ve completed the training I should be able to do it.”
After completion of the expedition, the participants will tour Scottish schools sharing stories of their journey.
Polar Academy aims to create future leaders though inspiring ‘invisible’ children within schools. Read more about the programme.
What is the Polar Academy? And what’s involved in their school Arctic expeditions?
Conversation