Interlake Spectator — The need for organized youth activities, both during the summer months and after school, has long been the concern of many in the Interlake but it is only now that a comprehensive plan has emerged to fill that void.
Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) Inc. is a newly-formed non-profit, community-based organization dedicated to providing a wide range of activities and programs for Northeast Interlake youth and their families.
The first challenge of YOU Inc., incorporated in February, is to establish a Youth Skills Development Summer Camp in Gimli for youth from five years up to 21 years of age.
The summer camp, scheduled to begin July 1, will operate Monday through Friday during the day, out of the Gimli Park Pavilion and will offer skills development and instruction in a variety of sport and artistic disciplines including archery, fencing, theatre, gymnastics, soccer as well as arts and crafts.
“Our mandate is to bring in diverse activities for the youth in the Northeast Interlake area,” board member Helen Roos said.

Roos says the summer camp will be divided into five age and ability groups; three to four-year-old toddlers; five to eight-year-old, co-ed; nine to 13-year-old girls; nine to 13-year-old boys; and disabled youth.

“We’ll be hiring one camp program coordinator to oversee a team of camp leaders and volunteers who will instruct each one of the age groups,” said Roos. “The skills camp will be restricted to 25 registrants but we anticipate there will be additional demand from visiting cottagers, so a generic set of activities will be available for a $10 per day fee.”
Board member Sarah Stogrin is excited about the summer activities and especially YOU Inc.’s participation in the Icelandic Festival.

“We’ll be hosting the Viking Village and our campers will get a chance to learn the history of the Vikings firsthand,” Stogrin said.
YOU Inc., Roos says, will not only be involved in the Youth Skills Summer Camp and drop-in programs but will operate year-round in partnership with the Evergreen School Division for after-school programs and the RCMP and health agencies to support youth-at-risk.

Since its inception YOU Inc. has received financial support from the Kiwanis Club, Sport Manitoba, Gimli Legion and Gimli Cable.

John Coward