Glen Vienneau
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 16/00) - When the final bell rings to dismiss classes for the day, working parents in Yellowknife can be confident their children have lots of available options to unwind.

One afterschool program popular with more than 60 children ages five to 12 is offered by the YWCA.

"It's a lot of recreational fun, it's like learning through play and learning to interact with other children of all ages," said Lisa Holland, afterschool program co-ordinator for the YWCA.

The program's staff of seven senior and junior leaders provide various "structured activities" at four locations throughout Yellowknife -- Range Lake North school, J.H. Sissons school, N.J. Macpherson school and at Northern United Place.

At these locations, students take part in various organized sporting games such as baseball, soccer, frisbee, skipping and tag.

In addition, the leaders provide children with other interest such as crafts, painting, colouring, bingos and a Friday movie fest.

Before proceeding with structured activities, which are based on a monthly theme, the students are treated with snacks and juice every day. After about an hour, the children proceed with their free time with gym or schoolyard activities.

In the fall, spring and summer, students tend to go outside for their activities. The cost of the program is $200 a month or $12 a day.

The program runs from September to June, with the exception of summer months and the two-week Christmas holiday. During spring break, another program is offered for the students.

"(The program is) to teach them social skills, to provide a safe place for children to go and to provide quality afterschool care teaching them to grow socially," said Holland.

The program is structured to convenience the parents by having the activities right after school.

"It's easier for some parents if a child just comes to the program, because the program is held right after school."

Aside from student activities, the leaders work with parents to find a program that suits the needs of their child.

For those liking water sports, the Ruth Inch Memorial Pool also offers swimming lessons, junior lifesaving and the Polar Bear Swim Club. The club has three different levels, and the swimming lessons are divided into elite (gold, silver, bronze) and then by age level.

Other sports organizations include the Yellowknife Gymnastics Club, the Yellowknife Curling Club, the Yellowknife Minor Hockey Association, the Yellowknife Badminton Club, the Yellowknife Rebels Broomball, the Yellowknife Skating Club and the Aurora Minor Soccer League.

Students may also take part in other sporting organizations such as the NWT Speed Skating Association and the NWT Amateur Hockey Association.

Other programs include the 2837 Royal Canadian Army Cadets, Scouts Canada and Girl Guides of Canada.

The City of Yellowknife also offers numerous programs for children ranging from recreational to educational.