Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Aug 24/01) - Working with children is challenging but fun, Robin Greenway says.

For the past two months Greenway has worked as a camp counsellor for the town's summer day camp.

Counsellor Robin Greenway with one of her charges at the summer day camp, Arielle Lavoie. - Malcolm Gorrill/NNSL photo

She said that counsellors show up at 8 a.m., and typical duties include preparing for the arrival of the children and cleaning up at the end of the day plus, of course, caring for the kids during the day.

"At 9 a.m. the kids are allowed in. They always want to come in before 9, knocking on doors, but we always keep them out," Greenway said with a laugh.

The kids play games for the first 15 minutes and then are divided into groups.

"We usually have an afternoon activity as well, and then we all gather together and play a game and then they all go home," Greenway said.

During the summer Greenway helps the kids make crafts, play games, and many other activities.

"We do a lot of stuff in the kitchen. The kids like to bake. We made edible playdough and they loved it, because first you make it, then you play with it, and then you eat it," Greenway said.

"It's a challenge sometimes. There's always something new, which is nice, because I don't like it when it gets boring. There's always new situations and new things to do."

Greenway said getting to know the kids is rewarding.

"You get a different group each week, which is interesting," he said.

Greenway, 17, will enter Grade 12 this fall in her home town of Lethbridge, Alta.

This was her first paying job working with children, and it was also her first summer away from home.

"I've never lived on my own before, and that was really neat, like making your own food and stuff, and with my roommate, we had a lot of fun."

Greenway had not been in Inuvik before, but said her family knows someone who lived in town, which is why she sought work here.

Greenway plans to earn an education degree at the University of Lethbridge, and said this job has been a valuable experience.

"I did get to work with different age groups, found out the different learning skills and stuff like that, what they can all handle," she said.

"Now I know I want to be a teacher. I wasn't sure at the beginning of the summer, but I know now. I love kids and I love to work with them."