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IKAAHUK/SACHS HARBOUR
Kyle Donovan knows how to keep young people in Sachs Harbour busy. The 24-year-old, who has worked as the community's recreation program co-ordinator for the past four summers, said he definitely enjoys his job.

Kyle Donovan demonstrates the one-hand reach, a part of the Northern Games demonstration at Sachs Harbour's World Oceans Day celebration on July 5. - photo courtesy of Peggy Jay/Inuvialuit Regional Corporation

"It's a lot of fun," Donovan said. "You get paid to play games with kids."

It's also a lot of work, he added. He has to be prepared to entertain anywhere from one to 15 youths every evening.

"We get a range of two or three up to 12 or 15, it all depends on the day," he said.

"If there are 10 or even one, we still do games or events with them."

Donovan also helps organize the community's special occasions.

"I just create and implement programming for the youth of Sachs Harbour," he said. "I also supervise and help run special events. I assist the recreation co-ordinator."

Donovan organized and ran the community's Canada Day events for youth and children, including three-legged races and pillow case races.

On World Oceans Day, which was celebrated on July 5, Donovan ran Arctic sports events.

"We did one-foot high kick, two-foot high kick, and laughing games," he said.

Laughing games involve partners and teams who try to outdo each other by avoiding laughing longer than the others. Donovan said there are hundreds of variations of the game.

Donovan started learning Arctic sports when he was 13. Since then, he began teaching others in the community and ran a club dedicated to sharing knowledge about the games.

Over the years, Donovan has learned to apply his love of teaching to other areas.

So far this summer, he is teaching teens how to play volleyball.

"I think about a month ago we started, and only a few knew how to play," he said. "Now they're actually getting really good."

Last year, Donovan switched roles from teacher to student and began taking the two-year tourism and recreation management program at College of the Rockies in Cranbrook, B.C.

"It's a two-year program and I'm halfway done," he said. "That's what I want to do is take over as recreation co-ordinator eventually."

Until then, Donovan said he is happy to keep organizing fun events for his community.

"I like it all," he said when asked about his favourite game. "There is nothing I dislike."

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