Chesterfield Inlet (Sep 13/06) - The annual Kivalliq Science and Culture Camp is being hailed as an incredible experience by event organizers.

The camp is sponsored by the Kivalliq Science Educators' Community, and was hosted for the first time by Victor Sammurtok school in Chesterfield Inlet this past week.

Kayak was the theme for this year's event, which saw about 40 students and teachers from across the Kivalliq participate.

The group spent four nights in tents set up at Third Lake, with each student receiving a towel, backpack, sweatshirt, mug and water jug to commemorate the event.

The students were divided into three teams for the camp: Paddle, Seal Float and Kayak Stand.

Each team was distinguished by a different colour sweater the students wore during the week.

Chester teacher Glen Brocklebank said one of the nice things about the event is seeing students make new friends and get reacquainted with those they'd made at previous camps.

He said every student learned how to kayak during the week, including how to make a wet exit.

"We taught them basic safety procedures and paddling strokes, and had them play different kayak-based games," said Brocklebank.

"They learned a number of manoeuvres, and then we put them through a course to have them turning and effectively paddling around a number of different obstacles.

"The students learned how to rescue themselves if they get into difficulty, and they were shown how to use the Global Positioning System."

Local students were thrilled to have the opportunity to host the science camp.

Victor Sammurtok school had eight students participate in the camp, divided among the three groups.

Brocklebank said because kayaking has become so popular in Chester, local students were able to share their kayaking skills with youth from across the region.

"They were also talking them through things and helping them gain confidence in their kayaking abilities.

"It was fantastic to see the students sharing their knowledge and helping each other so much."