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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Being a child was reason enough to celebrate in Fort Simpson on Nov. 20.

The gym at Bompas elementary school was filled with children and their families who came to the fourth annual National Child Day celebration organized by the Open Doors Society.

Bernice Gargan, centre, referees as Makoos Buboire, left, and Trenton Diamond-C try their hand at the stick pull during the National Child Day celebrations in Fort Simpson. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The gym was a bustle of activity as children moved between different event stations that included face painting, cookie decorating, crafts and a book walk. Down the hall participants could spend some quiet time reading books or snacking on the food catered by the Grade 6 class.

National Child Day is a perfect fit with Open Doors, which provides services for children in the community, said Tina Verge, the co-ordinator for the society.

"National Child Day is about recognizing children throughout the world and celebrating children here in our community," Verge said.

Following with this year's theme - A Community Fit for Children - other organizations including Kids Corner Daycare, Deh Cho Health and Social Services, the Deh Cho Friendship Centre, Brighter Futures, the recreation department and the Department of Education, Culture and Employment were invited to set up tables in the gym. Together these organizations make the community strong for the children and help meet their needs, Verge said.

"It's working out really well," she said about the event.

"The kids are enjoying themselves."

At the Family Outreach Program's table Mary Isaiah offered information about fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and the services the program provides for families dealing with it. The National Child Day celebration was a good venue to reach people because a lot of families come and they want to know more about FASD, said Isaiah, a family outreach worker.

"It's really good. It's lots of fun," said Isaiah, as she looked at the busy scene.

"It's a good place for the kids to be."

It's great to have a whole day dedicated to kids, said Harley Betsedea, 10.

"I liked everything," Betsedea said as she strung together beads to make herself a bracelet.

Being a kid has a lot of benefits, said Tyler Lafferty.

Kids have more time to watch T.V., and play sports like soccer, hockey and track and field, he said.

Being a kid, however, isn't all fun and games said Lafferty, 10, who listed off a few chores he has to do including bringing in firewood.

Canada's National Child Day is held on Nov. 20 to commemorate the United Nations adoption of two landmark documents about the human rights of all children. The documents include the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Child and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.