REPULSE BAY - With endless development projects available abroad, two Southern students decided to keep their efforts in Canada.

Two students from Queen's University are spending their summer in Repulse Bay teaching a literacy camp that started in June.

"I really wanted to challenge myself this summer," said Kirsten Jewell, who is going into her fourth year studying Physical Education and Science at Queen's. "And I wanted to stay in Canada to help Canada.

Jewell and fellow student Rob Hiseler, who just graduated from Queens with a BSc in Psychology, will be in Repulse Bay for nine weeks to run the seven week camp.

"Our objective is to provide kids with a safe and fun environment to encourage literacy," said Hiseler.

"We want to show them that books are fun, books are useful. It doesn't just have to be a school thing."

Queen's University has been organizing similar literacy projects in the North for eight years, and this is the third year the camp has taken place in Repulse Bay.

The camp started up June 5 at the Tusarvik school. Principal Leonie Aissaoui said the camp is a welcome activity for students to take part in during the slow summer months.

"There's not much happening in town," said Aissaoui. "This keeps up the literacy level of our kids."

This is the first time both Hiseler and Jewell have made it up North. Both noted it has been an experience for them to check out life North of 60.

"I'm actually surprised at some of the similarities," said Hiseler. "I had a chance to talk to some people [who had been up North] prior. The main lesson was not to have any preconceived notions and to come up here with an open mind."

Having only been to big cities, Jewell said she was enjoying the small town experience.

"It's very friendly," she said. "I really like how everyone knows each other."