INUVIK - Since December, Rose Constantineau has been hard at work organizing events and programs to keep the residents of Inuvik active.

Constantineau said her primary objective as recreational programmer is to organize activities that "make a difference and attract youth to become more involved with (the) community as a whole."

Rose Constantineau: Town of Inuvik recreation programmer says activities build self-esteem.

She said recreation "builds self-esteem, allowing them to be successful physically and socially in all aspects of their lives."

A graduate from University of Calgary in Kinesiology, Contantineau's previous experience includes coaching soccer and basketball, working as a lifeguard and as the recreation co-ordinator in Cape Dorset, Nunavut.

Since taking up the job she has helped organize the Midnight Sun Run, activities for Canada Day celebrations, a pond hockey tournament, and a variety of exhibition games.

She arranged for a squash instructor to come into town and set up a squash clinic.

She has also been involved with the town's summer day camps, with activities such as field trips with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), the Inuvik visitor's centre. Collaborating with other organizations such as the Actua Science camp also brought science activities to town this summer.

She said there's been an increase in participation in the last few months in the boys and girls night program.

"Before, close to 16 kids used to show up for this event. The last couple of months it brought in close to 40 kids per group."

Constantineau also said youths are interacting more than usual within recreation programs as well as outside the programs, which for her is a sign of success.

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