Nunavut children enjoying different sports and games, while learning about teamwork and developing new skills as part of the Summer Camp activities.

More than 2,000 children from 15 communities are participating in the Recreation and Parks Association of Nunavut (RPAN) Get Happy Summer Day Camps this year, with support from The North West Company Inc.

Due to COVID-19, the format of the program had to be changed this year. Instead of the typical weeklong in-person training session for camp leaders, RPAN hosted a week of video chat training sessions in late June.

The staff also had to implement programs that followed the Government of Nunavut’s guidelines and restrictions. At the start, the program was outdoors only, then facilities opened up to allow some indoor activity, with social distancing and frequent cleaning.

With The North West Company Inc.’s partnership and the efforts of several extremely hardworking staff members, the program has been a success and has expanded into new communities.

Not only has this partnership helped children across Nunavut enjoy camp, but it has provided community members with the skills they need to provide continuous support in their community.

The North West Company Inc.'s support included financial assistance that helped provide craft supplies, equipment, t-shirts and snack gift cards for the children.

The program was also visited by several prominent figures including MP Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, magician Brian Glow and Inuit artist Susan Aglukark. The Jays Care Foundation participated in training sessions as well.

"Without question, the Get Happy Summer Day Camp is RPAN's signature program. We are providing training, certification, equipment and supplies, and ongoing support to our amazing young emerging leaders and they, in turn, are implementing tremendous summer day camp programs for children in their communities,” says Dawn Currie, RPAN Executive Director. “With COVID-19 changing so much of what is ’normal’ in the world, it was important that we worked together with all 15 communities to ensure a quality summer program was in place for children. I am tremendously proud of the young day camp staff who took on the challenge to make a difference in the lives of children this summer under such circumstances. They did GREAT!”