The Town of Hay River's recreation department hosts day camp programming every summer for youth. Happens all the time and it's rather popular because it solves the question of what to do when there's nothing to do.

But there was a different sort of programming late last month and it involved a visit from two sports which have quite the footprint in the territory.

The town welcomed NWT Soccer and Basketball NWT for a week-long camp involving both sports late last month. More than 30 youth between the ages of five through 13 took part in the joint effort between the two territorial sport organizations (TSO), wih some help as well from the Mackenzie Recreation Association, and it appears it was well-received, according to Courtney Fraser, the town's recreation programmer.

"They really enjoyed the drills and games led by the coaches from NWT Soccer and Basketball NWT and felt that they learned a lot," she said. "For a number of kids, this was their first time participating in these sports, basketball especially, so this was a great opportunity to expose them to the sports in a fun and supportive learning environment"

The participants were split into two groups: 5-to-8-year-olds and 9-to-13 year-olds) with each group getting three hours of camp time each day. The younger group was in action during the morning from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with the older group taking over in the afternoon from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Each session was split into equal 90-minute sessions of soccer and basketball with the particiants being put through their paces in a variety of skills and drills sessions, as well as challenges and scrimmages.

"The coaches were great, super friendly and knowledgeable, and the kids really enjoyed connecting with them," said Fraser.

This was the first time the town had worked with both TSOs on a camp, she added, and the hope is that it will happen again sometime in the future. 

Fraser also said the camp was part of what's known as the Spring and Summer Sports series, which has included earlier camps such as a softball player clinic facilitated by NWT Softball and a lacrosse camp facilitated by coach Kyle Aviak.