CLASSIFIEDSADVERTISINGSPECIAL ISSUESONLINE SPORTSOBITUARIESNORTHERN JOBSTENDERS

NNSL Photo/Graphic



Home page text size buttonsbigger textsmall textText size Email this articleE-mail this page

Halloween fun takes over town
Activities for young people keeps them off the streets late at night

Sarah Ladik
Northern News Services
Thursday, October 29, 2015

INUVIK
When the all the tricks are all done and the treats have been scarfed down, there can still be a lot of Halloween left.

NNSL photo/graphic

Kai Cardina, left, and Derrien Firth compete to see who can finish a container of Jell-O the fastest using a straw Oct. 26 during Halloween-inspired activities at the youth centre. - photo courtesy of Ali McConnell

"I think in a small, isolated community, it's always important to give kids as many opportunities as possible to engage in positive, fun, and healthy activities," said victims services worker and youth centre volunteer Ali McConnell.

She said she isn't sure if there is an increase in youth crime on Halloween typically but that it's always important to keep kids off the streets.

To that end, the Inuvik Youth Centre is offering an alternative to traditional activities with a theme night at the centre. There will be a scary movie, games and dancing.

Children eight-years old and up are welcome and costumes are encouraged.

The youth centre's activities are the last scheduled event of the day Oct. 31.

Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre will be putting on a haunted house with games and other events in the afternoon. McConnell said children still needing a costume at that time will be welcome to grab one at the hall, courtesy of a large donation from Home Hardware.

"There's cans of that coloured hairspray, a bunch of swords, I think we have like 14 witches' hats," she said.

"They can get their costumes for the day and have a great time, too."

Working together

At first, McConnell said the plan was for the children to head to the youth centre for their costumes, but after hearing that Ingamo was also putting on activities, they decided to partner up.

"It just made more sense," said McConnell.

Safety first

Meanwhile, the Inuvik RCMP put out a call Oct. 26 for safety this Halloween, encouraging parents and guardians to teach children to walk with a friend, not enter anyone's home without adult permission and to never get in a vehicle with anyone they don't know.

RCMP advised young Inuvik people in a news release to try to stick to well-lit areas and trick-or-treat in high-traffic locations with lots of people around.

"Darkness sets in at a relatively early hour here in the Northwest Territories, so choosing a costume that is visible at night is recommended," stated Const. Elenore Sturko.

"Adults and children who wear dark costumes should consider attaching reflective bands or glow sticks for visibility."

E-mailWe welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.