INUVIK - If there's one thing teens like, it's free stuff: food, activities and places to hang out.

With Samuel Hearne Secondary School open on Saturday nights from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. with sports, board games, video games and snacks available, the Lights On program has become quite the success. While organizers hoped for at least 20 students, they've had up to 40 each week.

"It's nice that we're getting at least 25 kids when it's sunny and nice weather," said teacher Heidi Bender. "October and beyond it'll likely become even more popular."

The school received funding from the local Not Us committee for just seven weeks of the program to be run at the end of the school year. Bender hopes the funding will continue next year since it has become a popular way for teens to spend their time in a healthy way. She hopes that the funding will eventually allow for a full-time supervisor to organize volunteers, snacks and activities.

The gym activities – basketball, soccer and floor hockey – have proved the most popular, with the majority of the youth spending time playing sports. The high school houses the only gymnasium in Inuvik, aside from the one in Sir Alexander Mackenzie School, opening it up gives students a place to hang out.

"It's fun to play sports and it's a good way to stay fit," said Travis Smith, a Grade 9 student. "The sports are the best and there's always something to eat."

Snacks so far have included smoothies and ice cream sundaes. Each Friday, the school announces what snack will be offered and that has also been a draw.

The reviews from students attending the program have all been positive, but they do have some suggestions for next year. Keaton Cockney, also in Grade 9, suggested longer hours and prizes such as gift certificates to the rec centre to reward students who made a healthy choice.

But overall they're thankful to have a place to be on a Saturday night.

"There's nothing fun to do on Saturdays and this sounds fun," said Chloe Gillis, a Grade 9 student. "Here you can play video games, go in the gym, eat junk food. It's good."

Most of the students attending are in grades 7 to 10 and between 12 and 16 years of age. The older youth likely already have their plans made for Saturday nights, but Bender hopes Lights On will become the place to be for younger students.

"We're getting a lot of the junior high students," Bender said. "But we hope as they get older they'll keep coming out."

To keep the program running, volunteers are needed to help supervise. To help out, contact Heidi Bender at SHSS.

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