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Junior Rangers enjoy Whitehorse
Youth from across Kivalliq enjoy seven-day summer camp

Candace Thomson
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, July 9, 2014

KIVALLIQ
Nearly 30 youth from across the Kivalliq got to test their skills tree climbing, horseback riding and repelling in the Yukon last month.

NNSL photo/graphic

Junior Ranger Alma Mamgark, 13, from Arviat, rappels down a 50-foot wall at the Enhance Training Session during a seven-day summer camp put on by the First Canadian Ranger Patrol Group in Whitehorse, Yukon, late June. - photo courtesy of Capt Steve Watton, First Canadian Ranger Patrol Group

Arviat's Alma Mamgark, 13, has only been a Junior Ranger for a short time, but said the trip to Whitehorse was a good time.

"We got to do horseback riding, which was fun, and rock climbing," said Mamgark, one of 200 Junior

Canadian Rangers from across the North to take part in the camp put on by the First Canadian Ranger Patrol Group.

Arviat, Chesterfield Inlet, Coral Harbour and Whale Cove were among the communities they came from.

Mamgark also got to rappel down a 50-foot wall, which she says is when things got a little scary.

"I was sweating the whole time. It was hard work and coming down from that high was scary," she said.

Throughout the week, the Rangers got to participate in

a number of challenging activities that included white water rafting, zip-lining,

swift water rescue, canoeing, trapping, woodsmanship, horseback riding and monkido - an obstacle course consisting of 48 challenges in the trees that involves zip-lining and climbing.

"Laughter and screams echo through the park as the (Rangers) attempted the two to 18 metres above-ground monkido challenge," stated Warrant Officer Ken Leet, a training co-ordinator with the patrol group, in a news release.

"This event helped to build trust and confidence through a practical skill activity in a fun and safe outdoor environment."

The Junior Ranger program is available to children aged 12 to 18. At this camp, older Rangers got the chance to test their leadership skills and learn from the adult Canadian Rangers who took part in organizing and hosting activities at the camp.

"The camp was an opportunity for the (junior Rangers) to interact with each other and with the Canadian Rangers," stated Capt. Yannick Fergusson, officer-in-charge of the training camp, in the news release.

"It also provided the opportunity for (Junior Ranger) leaders to develop skills by taking the younger and inexperienced members under their wing."

Along with the Junior Rangers, more than 50 adult Rangers from around the North helped to put the camp on, and co-ordinators from the Kivalliq communities got to attend too.

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