Deh Cho - Youth in three Deh Cho communities had a more active summer thanks to a multi-sports camp program.

In July Fort Simpson hosted the Mackenzie Region Youth Summer Games, one of the events staffed by an ongoing partnership that offers multi-sports camps. Devan Cli dodges an opponent during a drill for flag football at the games. - NNSL file photo

The sports camps that were held over the summer months in Fort Liard, Fort Simpson and Fort Providence, as well as the Hay River Reserve, Norman Wells and Fort Resolution, were the result of a partnership that started approximately seven years ago.

Together the Mackenzie Recreation Association, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA), territorial sports organizations and Sport North work with interested communities to run sports camps. Under the program communities identify the desire for a camp and the organizations provide staff to run the event, said Shane Thompson, a recreation development co-ordinator with MACA.

The partnership has been successful because the organizations are able to meet the needs of many communities with the use of only a few staff, said Thompson. All of the organizations want to chip in to help create a better experience for local youth, he said.

Since the program's inception it has been in continuous demand. Every year there are six to eight requests for summer sports camps, said Thompson. Communities in the Deh Cho, South Slave and North Slave have all used the program multiple times.

The program is particularly beneficial for youth in the smaller communities because the camps give them chances they might not otherwise have to try new sports or enhance their existing athletic skills, said Thompson.

When the sports camp arrives in a community the youth get excited, said Chris Stipdonk, one of the staff who helped to run the camps.

Although attendance at the camps can vary, this year participation was up over last year's camps.

"It was one of our more successful years," said Stipdonk.

Everyday youth arrived early for the camps, he said.

"The kids really liked it," said Stipdonk.

The camps ranged from two to four days long and were free for people aged six to 16. Common sports at each camp included soccer, basketball, baseball and floor hockey.

In addition to the multi-sports camps, staff including Gabe Byatt, Jessie Loutit, Dawn Moses and Stipdonk also assisted with the Mackenzie Youth Summer Games and the Mackenzie Regional swim meet.