Activity day sees students, elders and parents join together in outdoor fun

Northern News Services
Published Monday, December 8, 2014

REPULSE BAY
Students at Tusarvik School enjoyed a fun-filled day of outdoor activities this past month at Old Water Lake near Repulse Bay (Naujaat).

The outdoor activity day is held three times a year at Tusarvik.

The school also takes numerous groups of students ice fishing and caribou hunting every year, usually around the last two weeks of October or the first week of November, depending on the weather.

This year's activity day saw a barbecue brought to the lake by qamutiik for hotdogs to be served along with juice and cookies.

Vice-principal Julia MacPherson said there was a great turnout for the event.

She said the community was invited to attend for a day of activities such as ice fishing, sledding, a bonfire, fun with a huge soccer ball and a tug-of-war.

"We try to hold at least one activity day for the entire school in November, and we also try to get out twice during the spring when the weather's a little bit warmer," said MacPherson.

"We hold it at Old Water Lake in the fall, which is just a couple of kilometres outside of town. The barbecue was a big hit this year but, overall, it's a day set aside for healthy living with the kids outside, running around and getting lots of fresh air.

"It's nice to get out of the school for a little bit to enjoy the land, and we try to incorporate some cultural aspects into it, as well."

MacPherson said a number of elders usually make an appearance at activity day, as do members of the RCMP if they're available and numerous parents.

She said the visitors enjoy watching the kids having a great time and sometimes join in.

"They'll grab the tug-of-war rope, or go over to the sliding hill with the kids. This year the bonfire was a big hit, so a lot of parents hung around the fire with their kids to keep warm during their visit. It's a day the kids really look forward to and we get a vast majority of the students out to participate.

"The high school students are usually asked to help set up the tent, drill the fishing holes and bring the equipment out, so, most years, they go out a bit early to get that all done before everyone else arrives."