Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

Inuvik (June 14/02) - When the ice goes out and the ferry opens on the Mackenzie, the tourist season begins in Inuvik.

Jessica McLeod works the gate at the Happy Valley Campground. As soon as the ferry opened, McLeod said the sites started to fill. - Terry Halifax/NNSL photo

This year the campers were lining up to get a space in the Happy Valley Campground and campground attendant Jessica McLeod was there to greet the visitors.

Mcleod said the sites filled fairly quickly, once the road opened up.

"During the past week, it's gotten pretty busy," McLeod said. "It's almost half filled-up already."

The sites cost $20 per night for an electrical hookup, $15 without and group camping with five or more people is $10 per night.

This is her first season working the gate. She says she got the campground job following a long apprenticeship.

"I've been watching my dad do it for the past six years," McLeod said.

Her day starts after school and she works until 10 p.m. but that will change soon.

"In the summer, I'll probably work longer days," she said.

"I clean, check in the tourists and do campground checks."

At 14-years-old, this is McLeod's third job. She also worked at Inuvik Sewing and Crafts and also as a camp counsellor for the Town of Inuvik.

The tourists seem to like reaching the end of the road and they like the campground.

"Most people are very positive about it," she said. "I've never heard anything negative about it."

She enjoys the job and likes meeting the people at the campground.

"It's pretty interesting," she said. "I've met people from France, Germany and Switzerland."