DEH CHO - A group of youth from around the Deh Cho is setting out to do something active with a few days of their summer holiday.

Nolan Bonnetrouge from Fort Providence stares upwards as he waits for a birdie to descend so he can serve it to the opposing team during a badminton session at the Mackenzie Region Youth Summer Games. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

On July 9 the Mackenzie Region Youth Summer Games will attract between 30 and 40 youth to Fort Simpson.

Youth ages 10 to 14 will participate in the event, which runs until July 12, said Andrew Hillaby, recreation director in Fort Simpson.

As of July 9, Hillaby was expecting teams to arrive from Wrigley, Jean Marie River, Fort Providence, Whati, Trout Lake, Fort Simpson and possibly Behchoko and Fort Liard.

The games are an annual event put on by the Mackenzie Recreation Association.

"It's a huge regional initiative," said Deborah Stipdonk, who helped with the event.

Held last year in Fort Providence, Fort Simpson was chosen to host the event this year. The games are organized by the village in co-ordination with volunteer members of the Mackenzie Recreation Association and the community, said Hillaby.

While waiting for the first session of the games to start, Kyla Norwegian said she came to the event because she heard there'd be basketball. One of three youth to attend from Jean Marie River, Norwegian said this was her first time at a sports camp.

Members of the six person group from Fort Providence were also eager to get started.

"I'm here to play these games," said Edmund Gargan.

Rochella Sanderson said she signed up because she thought it would be fun.

During the games, the participants will have a chance to try eight different activities including soccer, badminton, volleyball, baseball, flag football, darts, swimming and Dene games.

Instruction during each of the events is being provided by volunteers, said Hillaby. Each sport session will be split evenly into instruction, practice and games.

The goal of the event is to provide sports instruction for youth. It's also a chance to bring youth together from different communities, who might not otherwise have a chance to do these activities, said Hillaby.