Arthur Milnes
Northern News Services

FORT SIMPSON (Jul 03/98) - Thinking ahead.

That's what Fort Simpson's 16-year-old Kaylee Brown does every morning as she's heading off to her volunteer job at the village's Visitor Information Centre (VIC).

Forget money. Brown knows that experience can sometimes be more valuable.

"I've always been interested in tourism," she said when asked why she's volunteering her time this summer at the VIC. "I like meeting the people, helping out and answering questions... I like getting the experience."

Going into Grade 10-11 next fall, Brown is on call and comes in whenever the VIC needs an extra worker.

"We get a lot of questions from tourists," she says. "They ask: 'How are the highways? When does the ferry leave? Where can I get something to eat?'"

Two summers ago, Brown worked as a regular staff member at the VIC. She also has a reputation as an ace babysitter and has worked at the day-care centre.

Both her parents, Ken and Candy Brown, are themselves heavily involved in the local tourism trade. And, Kaylee has a sister who works at the Yellowknife Inn in Yellowknife.

You could say that an interest in tourism runs in Kaylee's blood.

Kaylee is planning on attending the University of Alberta in Edmonton once she finishes high school. Already, she's developed an interest in psychology and hopes to pursue a degree in the field in the future.

When not studying, you'll find Kaylee reading, enjoying the outdoors, surfing the Internet and doing her own artwork.

You can tell she's going places.