Karen Mackenzie
Northern News Services
Monday, July 23, 2007

IQALUIT - Hamlets across the territory boosted their youth programming this month to fill up the long summer days.

"One of the goals is to curb violence, vandalism and to give youth a healthy outlet. For a lot of youth it is working," said Amy Elgersma, youth co-ordinator for the City of Iqaluit.

Youth like nine-year-old Stephanie Bloor spend some of their spare time in the summer at the improved skateboard park in Iqaluit. It's open seasonally inside the curling rink. - NNSL file photo

Among other things, the city facilitates t-ball and softball, swim programs and maintains the arena throughout the season, she said.

The skate park is also one of the main aspects of local programming, she added.

In Kimmirut, day camps provide an important service for families, according to Mitzi Young, recreation co-ordinator for the hamlet.

"I can't stress it enough. Since we have the kids in during the day for the summer camps, at least we know where the groups are, and because they're out all day they sleep all night," she said. "After school there was a month it was getting bad, at least now they have something to do."

Last summer the hamlet instituted a 10 p.m. curfew for those under age 16.

"We're not saying the young people are responsible, but by keeping all the youth off the streets...people were less inclined to do damage when they could be picked out more easily," said Cpl. Richard Basha.

"It curbed the mischief, and there's none so far this year, really."

In Cambridge Bay, council is even harnessing some of the youthful energy to clean up around town, by paying kids to pick up garbage.

"The hamlet council understands that youth, and focusing on youth, is a priority," Mayor Michelle Gillis said. We want to make sure youth are occupied, but also that we're promoting a healthy lifestyle."

Given a recent spate of vandalism in Iqaluit - including fires set in a small shed behind the post office and at Aqsarniit school - there is some worry that efforts aren't reaching everyone.

"I really do see a need for facilities where youth can drop in, that don't have the same boundaries as the regular programming," Elgersma said. "For at-risk youth, to bring them in to do something, it has to be drop-in."

The city attempted to keep the youth centre open during the summer in the past, but didn't receive the numbers it needed to remain open.

The skate park satisfies some of the drop-in aspect, said Elgersma.