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Junior Canadian Rangers Janae Angootealuk, 12, left, Renee Nakoolak, 13, from the Coral Harbour patrol, and Britney Illuituq, 13, from Kugaaruk, Nunavut, prepare to learn some canoeing skills on Chadburn Lake while in Whitehorse, Yukon for a week-long training session. - photo courtesy of 1CRPG staff

WHITEHORSE/KIVALLIQ
Junior Canadian Rangers from across the Kivalliq region recently returned from a week-long training session in Whitehorse.

During their time at the cadet summer training centre, the youth had a chance to mingle with Junior Rangers from across the North and Atlin, B.C.

Capt. Sharon Low said many of the teens were shy at first, but they quickly became comfortable.

"The first day that they're here, everything is so new and it's so overwhelming," said Low. "By day two or three ... they're not shy anymore with us."

A number of activities were planned for the teens, giving them very little downtime throughout the June 22 to 29 training session. The Junior Rangers tried their hand at swift water rescue, abseiling, trapping, horseback riding and archery, among other events.

After supper, they often had a movie night or went swimming.

"It's a high-cost activity and you really want to make the most of your training time," explained Low, adding the expense of the enhanced training session is covered by the Department of National Defence.

Joe Panik from Whale Cove was among the youth who attended the camp. He said the most challenging activity for him was zip-lining. It was scary, he said, explaining he is a little

afraid of heights.

"It's high and there are moving obstacles," said Panik.

The best activities, he added, were swimming and getting rescued from the river. He also enjoyed meeting with the teens from the other 35 communities.

If he had the choice, Panik said, he would be back next year.

"It's fun."

Meanwhile, Gilbert Aggark attended the enhanced training session for the second time. The Chesterfield Inlet youth said many of the activities were the same this time around, but many of the participants were new.

It was "awesome" mixing with the other Junior Rangers, he said.

For Aggark, the most challenging activity was zip-lining, with rock climbing being his favourite.

"The goal is really to build confidence," Low said. "The training challenges them in many ways, whether it's jumping in the icy Yukon River or repelling off a cliff, and even just some of the challenges of reaching out and meeting new friends and trying new experiences."

Panik, Aggark and the other participants who went to the session were chosen by their community to attend. The decision was based on the teens' behaviour and performance throughout the year.

Coral Harbour's Simonie Saviakjuk said there are a number of lessons he will take away from the experience.

"I learned some stuff like being a leader," he said. "It's pretty tough."

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