Simsbury Teen's Love Of Penguins Culminates With Family Dream Journey

SIMSBURY, CT — Simsbury High School freshman Lucas Raymond has always had a childhood fascination with penguins, one that culminated in December with the ultimate adventure.

It started when the now 14-year-old was 7 and participated in the Mystic 5K Run, Walk, Paddle event with his mother, Denise Raymond of Simsbury.

But that event seven years ago, originally earmarked to be just another running activity with his family, kick-started an affection for penguins that has yet to wane.

On that day, runners were given free admission to the Mystic Marinelife Aquarium, where he did the penguin encounter feature at the popular tourist attraction.

"That is the day he fell in love with penguins. He learned all about them, learned they were endangered, and just took a big interest in them," said Denise Raymond.

That affection culminated late last year with the ultimate dream trip for a penguin lover — an actual visit to Antarctica, where he got to see penguins in their natural habitat.

In between that first visit and his astounding adventure late last year, Lucas Raymond has done everything possible to raise money to help environmental causes that help penguins.

He sold toys. He baked "penguin" cookies and sold them. Instead of presents for birthdays, he asked for donations to help the penguins. He collected cans.

Of course, he also ran road races to raise money for the penguins and, in August 2024, Patch did a feature on Lucas as he was raising money on yet another road race for the penguins.

Talk Show Visit

If Lucas' story ended there, it would still be a major accomplishment: A boy likes penguins. The boy works to raise money to help penguins. Boy saves penguins.

But the mission only grew from there.

In fall 2025, Lucas and his family were invited to the syndicated national talk show, "The Tamron Hall Show," for an episode they were doing on children making a difference in their communities.

At a Nov. 20, 2025, taping, Lucas talked with Hall about his penguin causes while appearing on the show.

Denise Raymond said show producers had somehow gotten word of her son's story and asked him to send in a short video about it, eventually leading to the invite.

Again, if Lucas' story ended there, with an appearance on a national talk show to discuss his cause, it would have been memorable.

But what happened next was life-changing.

Denise Raymond said the show at the time of the taping in November was hosting what it called the "Big Holiday Gift Giveaway."

When his segment was over, the show's producers blindsided the Raymonds with an all-expenses-paid trip to Antarctica to see the penguins, meet with wildlife researchers and scientists, and, generally, go on the adventure of a lifetime.

Funded by the Tamron Hall Show, the Raymonds' trip was part of the National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions.

The trip

On the talk show, Lucas remarked that he'd never been on a plane before, let alone traveled as far as he would be going.

So, the journey of Mark and Denise Raymond and their son Lucas started at Bradley International Airport on Saturday, Dec. 13, with Lucas' big brothers Andrew Raymond, 21, and Matthew Raymond, 19, staying in Connecticut.

In all, the Raymonds spent about 13 hours in the air en route to Chile, where they temporarily stayed at Puerto Natales, Chile.

From there, they flew two-hours to King George Island, where they hopped on a cruise ship to the southernmost land mass on the planet, Antarctica.

When the ship eventually docked in Antarctica, Denise Raymond said they were struck by one aspect right away ... it wasn't that cold out.

By comparison, Connecticut's temperatures in recent days have been downright arctic (or antarctic).

But in Antarctica, Denise Raymond said the temperatures were in the mid-30s, a byproduct of the summer solstice in the southern hemisphere.

So while winter arrived back home, it was actually summer in Antarctica, and when that happens down there, there is nearly 24 hours of daylight.

"There were snow-covered mountains, rocky terrain, and numerous icebergs of various sizes floating around, and lots of wildlife," said Denise Raymond to Patch.

"It almost felt magical because there were no buildings, roads. Just nature surrounding you."

National Geographic tour guides took the Raymonds to an active volcano, several islands on the continent, and even a kayak excursion.

For the really brave, there was also a "polar plunge" into 28-degree water. (For the record, the Raymonds partook in the plunge.)

But the stars of the trip were the penguins, which were visible all around and a constant sight on the continent.

Denise Raymonds said there were three species of penguins: Chin Straps, Gentoo, and Adelie penguins.

"They were adorable and everywhere on the rocks, icebergs, purposing around our zodiacs and kayaks," Denise Raymond said.

"We got to hike on land and see a Gentoo colony up close, and were lucky enough to see a baby penguin," she continued.

"Most of the babies were still in their eggs, but we were lucky enough to see a baby that was adorable and a special sight."

Reflections

Of course, as with any momentous family journey, they all must come to a bittersweet end.

The Raymonds had spent Dec. 16-23 in Antarctica and/or on the cruise ship, before spending Christmas Eve and Christmas in Chile.

Then, on Dec. 26, the Raymonds eventually made it home at Bradley. Back on Connecticut soil.

Lucas said the trip reaffirmed his desire to become a scientist and study marine life, penguins, and any sort of animals.

“ I really enjoyed seeing the wildlife in Antarctica and getting to see the animals in their natural habitat," he said.

Keeping habitats clean and livable for wildlife is something Lucas said we all should aspire to.

"It is so important to take care of our environment to protect the earth and animals that live here, especially Antarctica, where there is little human activity and just pure nature," Lucas Raymond said.

As for mom? She said this life-changing adventure just may have jump-started her son onto something special for his future.

"This trip was so special. For years, Lucas has shown an interest in animals and penguins, and although we have taken him to zoos and aquariums, nothing compares to seeing these animals out in their natural environment," Denise Raymond said.

"He has talked about the possibility of one day working at a zoo or aquarium, but this trip has opened his eyes to a whole new world of opportunities. Then knowing that this trip was gifted to him for his dedication and desire to help save the African penguin made it even more special.

"Lucas’s father and I have always tried to teach our children to give back to their communities and help others as others have helped us in the past."

Meanwhile, the Raymonds are asking that folks donate to the Mystic Aquarium if they can and to "inspire change," as the aquarium puts it.

For more information on donating to penguin environmental causes at the Mystic Aquarium, click on this link.

From Aug. 29, 2024: 'Simsbury Eighth-Grader Running For The Penguins'