SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Summer programs for kids were taking full advantage of a warm sunshine-filled day on Aug. 8, teaching summer students to the beach instead of in the classroom.

French summer camp teacher Cynthia Durand collecting caterpillars on the beach with Zion Naveed and, left, Megan Ganley. - Ben Morgan/NNSL photo

A month-long reading program at the K'alemi Dene school in Ndilo wrapped up its last day of class with a treat - a beach visit to Fred Henne Territorial Park.

"It's the nicest day of summer," said eight-year old Donovan Evans, who prefers the beach environment to the classroom setting.

The reading program accepts 14 students a day, matching the number of computers in the classroom at the school.

"It's our last day so this is a kind of celebration for the students," said program coordinator Jessica Ehnes.

During the regular school year Ehnes works at the Ndilo school as an educational assistant. She said the summer reading program runs from July 7 to Aug. 8, only four hours a day.

"The program helps to further develop a child's literacy skills," she said, "and it also help them with the transition back to school - giving them a structured schedule before they go back into the classroom full time."

Ndilo school principal Angela James said the program gives the students a great chance to continue their reading. "Jessica adds a whole bunch of fun things to the program that the kids really enjoy."

Another group of students were at the beach on the same day. Cynthia Durand is a teacher with the summer French day camp program organized from Ecole Allain St-Cyr.

She said there were 20 students enrolled with their summer camp program.

"Half of them take French immersion in other schools, but the other half are from the French school," she said.

Activities in the program are associated with weekly themes and on this day it was aquatic week. But Durand said the class comes to beach often.

"It's like a vacation for them from school, they're still learning but they can relax and enjoy a beach day," she said.