Yellowknife (July 23/04) - It started with Hollywood week, with kids crafting their own sunglasses and posing as movie stars for a day. The second week was health week, with a tour through the hospital and visits from the Department of Health and Social Services.

The theme may change each week, but keeping kids busy and happy is always the objective in the city's Summer Playground Program.

Essentially a day camp for kids aged 5-12, the program starts anew each Monday and runs to Friday, co-ordinated by Jaime Chetwynd.

"We provide a positive environment so they have fun," says Chetwynd, who started out as a counsellor. "They get to meet new people and learn new things." The day starts at 7:30 a.m., the earliest parents can drop kids off, and runs to 5:30 p.m., making the camp a perfect fit for working parents.

The kids swim at Ruth Inch Memorial Pool three times a week, do crafts and try out cartooning with Bill Reid. They also spend tonnes of time at the playground.

"It is city run, so we have access to a lot of facilities," she says. "It helps a lot."

Parents really appreciate the full-day option of activities, says Chetwynd.

Feedback from most parents is positive because the kids are so tired from their day's play that they go to bed early, she says.

For 10-year-old Brittany Hagerman, the swimming and crafts she gets to do beat the alternative to the camp.

"I'd probably have to go to work with my mom," she says, frowning.

"The leaders are nice and we go out to places that are fun."

The six full-time and three part-time staff are all certified in first aid and have an interest in childcare. Many have experience in education as well, says Chetwynd.

The Summer Playground Program runs from until Aug. 27, at the Multiplex.