Coast Mountains School District Hosts Explorations Summer Camps

In 2007, a grant of $10,000 from Explorations helped the Coast Mountains School District to hold two arts, sport and recreation camps for 40 children, aged 5-12. Four schools participated in the camps which served Hazelton, Gitanmaax, Kispiox, New Hazelton and South Hazelton.

The aim of the camps was to bring children together to celebrate local culture and environment – participants explored the surrounding area to learn about habitat, botany and wildlife. They created button blankets and small totem poles, beaded, made bannock bread and held a mini-feast. There were also fishing and berry-picking field trips. Sports activities included soccer, football and various outdoor games. In addition, every camper received books as part of a Great Book Giveaway and reading was part of the daily schedule. There are no book stores in the community; organizers say access to books was a valuable part of the camp program.

Explorations provided students in kindergarten to Grade 7 with opportunities to explore arts, sport and recreation in summer camp settings. The program, which ran from 2005-2008, served students who were otherwise unable to attend summer camps due to location, local resources or financial limitations. Explorations was supported by the Province of British Columbia.