Join us on an adventure to the heart of Arctic Lapland for a 4-day challenge featuring a 35km dog sled race, 20km hike, ice fishing, orienteering, woodland fire lighting and sauna.
Through this trip, you will raise vital funds to stop the cycle of poverty and low literacy, preventing so many children from achieving their full potential.
Key details
Date 1: 14 to 17 January 2027 SOLD OUT
Date 2: 18 to 21 January 2027 (seven places remaining)
Location: North of Kiruna, Sweden
Registration fee: £400
Fundraising minimum: £2,200
About the trip
The Arctic Challenge is an inspiring wilderness endurance challenge held over 4 days, incorporating a dog sled race, Nordic hike, ice fishing, orienteering and woodland fire lighting, with each activity being scored to encourage healthy competition.
Participants do not need to have previous experience of any of the activities, as all instruction will be provided by your guides. The challenge concludes with a visit to the Ice Hotel at Jukkasjårvi, a well-earned finish to your efforts spent in this unique and unspoiled landscape, followed by a dinner and prize giving to the winning team.
Do you have any specific questions?
We know that with this epic challenge, there is a lot to take in and this might feel like a big challenge to sign up to without taking some extra time for consideration. We would love to talk through your questions and queries.
Book in a chat with us by emailing fundraise@literacytrust.org.uk
“The Arctic Challenge was exhausting and demanding but it was also exhilarating and pushed me out of my comfort zone further than I ever imagined I’d be. I pushed myself to my limits, tested my resilience and perseverance, and experienced the most beautiful landscapes and scenery.”
2026 Arctic Challenge participant
Why we need your help
Literacy changes everything. It gives you the tools to get the most out of life, and the power to shape your future.
But low literacy is inextricably linked to poverty. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds are currently starting school with literacy skills that are already 19 months behind their more privileged peers and once behind, they may never catch up. This lays the foundation for a lifelong pattern of literacy inequality impacting on earnings, health and wellbeing.
But this is not inevitable. With your support, we can transform lives through literacy.
Meet Jayden. Five years ago, Jayden didn’t believe books were “for him.” Today, he’s not only a confident reader—he’s a proud Literacy Champion helping others in his community discover the joy of reading.
In this film, you’ll meet Jayden and his mum Caroline, whose connection with the National Literacy Trust opened a door that changed his life.
By signing up to the Arctic Challenge you will be partnering with us to change more people's live stories and helping them to thrive.
How will the money I raise help?
£15 could put a child’s very first book into their hands. For many children growing up in disadvantaged communities, owning a book is something they’ve never experienced.
£25 could allow a child who has a tough start in life to attend inspirational reading and storytelling events where they can choose and keep three new books.
£50 could help train an early years volunteer to support parents and carers to develop their children’s early language, communication and literacy skills, impacting the lives of families like Mikhail and Alexi.
£100 could enable teenagers to participate in a specialist programme and give them the opportunity to engage with inspiring professionals, practise and develop their oracy skills and shape their future aspirations.
What support will I receive?
You will receive dedicated fundraising support from our friendly events team in the lead up to the challenge, ensuring that you have the resources you need to reach your fundraising target.
We'll also arrange meet ups for everyone who's going on the challenge, either in person or online, to bolster your team spirit and ensure that all of your questions are answered before you travel to the Arctic.
Arctic Challenge FAQs
Sign up process:
Can I sign up on my own or as part of a team?
Yes!
- If you sign up on your own, we will assign you a team for the challenge.
- If you sign up as a team of 4, you can request to be put together for the challenge. If there are more than 4 of you, we may have to split you up.
How does the selection process for places work?
Prior to being sent the registration form for the Arctic Challenge, we ask that all participants commit to the fundraising schedule for the event and let us know 3 key things that you are going to do to achieve the target.
Fundraising schedule:
25% of the target: £550 by 24 August 2026
50% of the target: £1,100 by 28 September 2026
80% of the target: £1,760 by 30 November 2026
100% of the target: £2,200 by 14 - 21 January 2027
Once you have committed to this, you will be sent a link to complete your registration form and pay the registration fee of £350 to confirm your place on the trip.
How do we declare a team when we’ve all signed up separately?
If you would like to be in a team with specific people, please add this to your registration form under the question: Are you coming with a person/group who you would like to be grouped with? – we will do our best to accommodate all requests.
Fundraising:
What happens if I can’t raise the full £2,200?
By signing up to this challenge, you’re committing to raising £2,200 and putting together a fundraising plan to help you achieve this. Our friendly fundraising team is here to support you along the way, and we’re confident this is a goal you can achieve.
Can the fundraising target include matched funding?
Yes, it can – if you are expecting to receive matched funding from your employer, please let us know on your registration form.
What’s the deadline for raising £2,200?
We require at least 80% of the £2,200 fundraising target by 1st November 2026.
What kind of support is available for fundraising? Are there any recommended methods?
We will be here to support your fundraising throughout the entire process!
- We will organize 3 online fundraising sessions to give you practical tips and ideas to help you reach your target, as well as give you a chance to raise questions and concerns.
- Weekly drop-in fundraising sessions will be set up from 2 months prior to the challenge.
- Further fundraising materials will be distributed after registration including a fundraising planner template, pub quiz pack, poster and more.
How much of the £350 registration fee and £2,200 fundraising goes towards the charity?
The £350 registration fee will go towards the costs of the event, alongside 25% of the £2,200 that you fundraise. The remaining money that you fundraise will go towards the charity.
Do we get flexibility in choosing how we fundraise?
You can fundraise however you like! Any wild and wacky ideas you have to reach your target are encouraged, and we’d be happy to help you organise them.
Trip logistics:
Would everyone get the same flight together? If so, which airport would this go from?
Upon registration, we will provide flight details. People sign up for the trip from all over the UK so we do not expect everyone to be on the same flight from the same airport, but we do expect you to arrive in time to be picked up by the airport transfer (we will confirm the arrangements for this when you sign up).
Do you provide heavy duty winter clothing for the trip?
Yes – please see the kit list in the information pack for details on what kit is provided.
Is the trip suitable for Coeliacs/people with severe allergies when the food needs to avoid cross-contamination?
The kitchen is in a shared communal space and is similar to a camp kitchen, with no electricity or running water. We adhere to hygiene standards, but it is difficult to completely avoid cross-contamination. In some cases of extreme allergies it may be advised that the participant brings their own food. Please contact the team if you have any questions and we can discuss your needs.
Find out what to expect
In 2025, we were lucky enough to have Gaby Huddart, National Literacy Trust Trustee, journalist and presenter, join us for the Arctic Challenge alongside two friends. You can read more about the fantastic time they had in Gaby's article for Best Magazine.
Photos from previous Arctic Challenges
Other challenge events to try
Do you want to take on a charity challenge event but the cold isn't for you? Check out our other challenge events.
We have lots of other challenge events available that don't involve enduring freezing temperatures and minimal daylight, including a range of running events across the UK and the Ultra Challenge series.