Yellowknife (Feb 21/05) - School days overlapped with play time last week when Aurora College opened its doors to Inuvik residents young and old for a week of good, old fashioned fun.

As though a backwards running relay race in the snow didn't pose its own difficulties, try it with a balloon between the legs. For skilled racers (left to right) Henry Djorgee, 9, Olivia Greenland, 10, Winter Ross, 4, and Jamie Doyle, 6, it was a chance to show off their speed. The game was part of Aurora College Week activities in Inuvik. - Chris Hunsley/NNSL photo

"It's to promote the college within the community," said Keri Svendsen, campus life co-ordinator. "And it gives the students and staff the opportunity to have some fun."

With $1,000 from the Inuvik Interagency Committee and $400 from the college, there was no lack of frivolity.

Monday kicked off the events with a movie night and cribbage tourney followed by the silliness of "wacky" hat and tie day along with scavenger and treasure hunts throughout the week.

No one was left out either. A special elders tea brought together some of the community's seniors while some afternoon activities held outdoors drew the kids out in droves.

"This is really fun," said 10-year-old Olivia Greenland while playing Donkey Dodge Ball on the college's back field Thursday.

The youngsters finished off the afternoon with some brilliant, if temporary, snow art using food colouring as paint before they set off to uncover the prizes that awaited them.

"I'm going to win," they screamed back and forth while plowing through the snow in relay race.

The big event was expected to be the volleyball tournament Friday, said Svendsen.