Yellowknife (Oct 08/03) - Youth in four Kivalliq communities spent a part of this past summer improving their literacy skills.

A team of four students from Queen's University in Kingston spent about three months in Baker Lake, Arviat, Repulse Bay and Whale Cove delivering the 2003 Books, Fun and Sun Literacy Camp.

It was the fourth year Queen's delivered the program in the Kivalliq region.

University students Stephanie Kearns, Sustina Banerjee, Julia Cain and Veena Kumar facilitated the camps.

"I took part in the program because I wanted to learn more about Nunavut and Inuit culture, as well as doing something worthwhile that involved kids," says Kearns.

"I jumped at the chance to go up North because you just don't get many opportunities to do something like this in your lifetime."

The students split into pairs to visit Repulse and Whale, while all four went to Baker and Arviat.

Kearns says the Kivalliq youth knew all about the camp and were quite excited about their arrival, especially in Baker Lake.

The hamlets of Arviat, Baker and Whale were able to fund the hiring of a local youth to help at the camp.

"Having a bilingual helper in those three communities also allowed us to work on Inuktitut literacy.

"And, they were able to help us insure our activities were appropriate for the kids."

The camps are aimed at helping youth aged six to 15 improve their English literacy.

Hidden literacy activities, games, crafts and songs are used to accomplish the goals of the program.

"We provide a fun atmosphere during the summer months, and a place for the kids to go and do something productive over their holidays."

This year's program attracted about 70 campers in Baker, 30 in both Repulse and Whale, and 40 in Arviat.

Kearns says another youth camp taking place at the same time kept the numbers lower than usual in Arviat.

She says she will never forget the people she met in the region or the experience of every day life in the North.

"The people in the communities who work so hard to help with youth programs also left a definite impression on me.

"The university plans to send another team to the region next summer.

"We work with Kivalliq School Operations and, as long as they say it's a go, we'll be back."