Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (May 08/01) - If the early bird really does get the worm, a group of Rankin Inlet Girl Guide members are a happy bunch this week.

The group of seven took a unique approach to fundraising by staying awake overnight this past week.

Pathfinder leader Allette Pryce says the seven Guides and Pathfinders held the Wake-a-Thon to raise funds to attend an international Girl Guides camp this July 12 and 22 near Calgary. The girls stayed awake from 8 p.m. on May 3 until 8 a.m. on May 4.

Pryce says the four Pathfinders (Kelli McLarty, Reba Kowmuk, Alicia Merkosak and Samantha Tugak) and three Girl Guides (Kathleen Merritt, Sophie Baker and Crystal Kabluitok) collected pledges for the event. She says people could either make one donation for the event, or pledge so much money for each hour the girls stayed awake.

"We're also accepting any donations people care to make and all the proceeds will go towards the girls' trip to Alberta this summer," says Pryce.

There will be 500 girls at the camp from across Canada, Australia, England, the U.S. and New Zealand.

A Yellowknife member will join the Rankin girls for the trip.

The camp will feature river rafting, horseback riding, orienteering, archery and much more. Local organizers are estimating they will have to raise about $20,000 to pay for the trip.

Families of the members have contributed $250 towards the cost, with the Guides needing to raise the balance.

Pryce says the camp will be both fun and educational for the Guides.

They will have the chance to mix with girls from around the world and introduce Nunavut and the NWT to the rest of the Girl Guiding world.

"The girls are really excited. This is the first trip of this magnitude that Rankin has done for Girl Guides in going outside of Nunavut. Meeting other girls from around the world will be a truly educational experience for these girls," she says.

"It will also be a wonderful opportunity for them to share their information on Nunavut with the other girls, as well."