Green thumbs and healthy bodies
Youth learn importance of wellness, gardening tips at summer camp
Jesabell Day displays a small bunch of flowers she picked at the Inuvik Community Greenhouse on Aug. 30. - Kirsten Fenn/NNSL photo
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Kirsten Fenn
Northern News Services
Thursday, September 7, 2017
INUVIK
A group of youth had a chance to get their hands dirty during a gardening lesson last week, mixing together water, soil and seeds they hope will someday grow into healthy plants.
"We're making seed balls," said a proud Keene Woodcock, from the second floor of the Inuvik Community Greenhouse.
He was one of approximately 15 youth taking part in a gardening and wellness summer camp from Aug. 28 to Sept. 1.
On Aug. 30, greenhouse co-ordinator Emily Mann was demonstrating to the group how to combine the mixture.
"They're going to dry up and then they're going to grow into these flowers," said Cooper Jenks, another youth in the camp, as he put together his seed ball.
Throughout the week, the kids took part in activities run in partnership with the greenhouse, Inuvik Youth Centre, and Inuvik Community Counselling and Wellness Centre.
Each day included a theme - from friendship to the human body - as well as a healthy lunch and a wellness seminar in the afternoons, said Ray Solotki, executive director of the greenhouse.
"It's just all about a healthy life, health and wellness and taking care of each other as well as ourselves," said Solotki, who explained the idea sprouted from a similar camp she heard about in the Yukon.
When staff from the wellness centre approached her with ideas about running their own camp, they joined forces with the youth centre to all offer one together, said Solotki.
It's the first year the camp has been offered, thanks to funding from the United Way of the NWT.
"It was actually really fun. We got to paint on the walls in the greenhouse," said Jenks, explaining how the rest of his week at camp had gone so far. "We went to dig up some potatoes and onions."
After the youth finished their greenhouse activities each day, they went to the youth centre where staff taught them how to make things like muffins, bath bombs, bannock and jam.
"They're a good group of kids," Solotki said. "They're all treating each other kindly and with respect."
Although the camp came late in the growing season, Solotki said there may be enough funds left over to run the camp again next year, earlier in the summer.
"We're super grateful to United Way," said Solotki. "This is all because of them and their investment in our community."
