Youth keeps others busy in Sachs Harbour
Dustyn Gully is the hamlet's newest summer student
Kassina Ryder
Northern News Services
Published Monday, July 21, 2014
IKAAHUK/SACHS HARBOUR
Dustyn Gully is a jack-of-all trades this summer. The 16-year-old is spending his afternoons as a summer student with the Sachs Harbour recreation department, helping with everything from organizing games for kids to building the community's new play structure.
Dustyn Gully is spending his summer afternoons helping entertain kids with the Sachs Harbour recreation department. - NNSL file photo |
"That's pretty much what my job is," he said. "Helping out with what they need done."
Gully's mom, Doreen Carpenter, is the community's recreation co-ordinator. Gully said she helps assign and plan his work for the day.
"I work with my mom and do whatever she gets me to do," he said.
So far, his biggest job has been to help build a new play structure at the community's beach. The structure includes a small slide and a set of swings.
"There is a child's park that we have down at the beach," he said. "I'm helping put the parts together."
Gully said he also enjoys spending time with kids, assisting other workers to help keep them busy.
"It's lots of fun," he said. "I'm doing arts and crafts with them, whatever they want to do. Sometimes I just chase them around."
Most indoor activities take place at the Sachs Harbour Community Complex, which has seen a lot of action so far this summer due to rainy weather.
"We've had some ugly weather lately," Gully said.
Gully said he worked for the recreation department last summer as well, but his workload increased this year. He said he's been working for about a month and said spending time with kids is his favourite part so far.
"They are so energetic and lively," he said. "They keep me on my toes."
Earning spending money is another bonus, he added.
"You get money," he said.
Gully said he plans to return to school in the fall and said while it's still too early to tell what he might do for a career, working for the recreation department is helping him to realize possibilities.
"I like working with kids," he said.
