Hello Artteacher, what can I say, KUDOS to your son for thaking his future in his hands big style!
I read about Skype calls, I never used Skype but I have just finished a videocall with my 14y.o. who is in Dublin, Ireland, for language training, through our Facebook accounts.
So, not to worry, you'll soon be proud of him even more
All you two need is internet and two crappity old notebooks or even netbooks as long as they have a webcam (who doesn't ?)
BTW... Googlemaps says its 5100 Km from London to Whitehorse...
...I'm sure that with the proper Harley gas tank you can make it in the summer...
PS Two round trips and you're ready for another cam chain change!!!

...whew!