LEAP instructor Nicolas Létourneau, left, stops to look back with Manasie Qaunaq of Iglulik, a participant in Ski Adventure Leadership Training on a trail outside Iqaluit last winter. - photo courtesy of Nunavut Youth LEAP |
Set for fierce adventure on skis
Fun youth camp to challenge the fit and brave
Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services
Published Monday, February 9, 2015
QIKIQTANI
A ski adventure for the most adventurous, called Suluk, is planned to take youth to new heights from April 16 to 21.
"Fit enough to enjoy the challenge" is all youth between the ages of 16 to 25 need to qualify for the camp taking place outside Iqaluit, said Denis Thibeault, program co-ordinator with Nunavut Youth LEAP Society.
The camp may sound rigorous, but both Thibeault and Celine Jaccard, Thibeault's co-worker, agree youth need to be active and healthy.
"They need to think they can actually do it. They need to be mentally prepared to be on the land in a different way. It's a new style of travelling on the land - on skis. And they will be sleeping in tents without a heater," said Thibeault.
In past years, the camp was specifically geared to training young leaders in the hope that participants would start their own camps in their home communities. This year, that expectation was dropped.
"We're sneaking in fun and challenges, and good opportunities," said Thibeault.
The challenge is to ski a loop from Iqaluit to Crazy Lake and back. The trail itself hasn't quite been determined, as the ten participants will have a say during the trip itself. That's all part of the opportunities the camp offers, taking decisions with the life experiences that come on the trip. The group will always be close enough to Iqaluit to be safe.
The five-day ski trip is framed by a two-day community-based component in Iqaluit.
Last year, LEAP was able to offer spots to youth across Nunavut, but funds are tight for this spring. There are five spots available for youth in Iqaluit and five for youth from other communities in the Baffin region.
Travel, accommodations, meals and equipment will be covered, but each youth will be responsible for fundraising a $75 contribution once they have been chosen from the pool of applicants.
"That's the only financial responsibility," said Thibeault. Organizers are prepared to offer suggestions to help applicants get started fundraising.
Though the camp is not geared to creating leaders in an overt way, Thibeault says, "You can't help but learn about yourself and each other."
There will be other activities besides skiing, and there will be workshops.
"There will be tea."
The organizers say Suluk is a great opportunity to learn and practice outdoor and life skills, to share land knowledge, and try new ways of doing things.
"This includes skiing, camp set-up and clean-up, cooking team meals, knots, basic navigation, team work and self-reliance, communication, and so much more."
Nunavut Youth LEAP, with its board of directors and 10 years of experience conducting winter activities, began as Ski Iqaluit.
"It's independent and grassroots," said Jaccard.
The organization has several affiliations and partners, including Inuksuk High School, Toonik Tyme, the Government of Nunavut, First Air and Baffin Boots.
The application is available on the Facebook page Nunavut Youth LEAP, and the deadline is March 1.
