A group of youth had a chance to got their hands dirty during a gardening lesson last week, mixing together water, soil and seeds they hope will someday grow into healthy plants.

SA国际影视传媒淲e're making seed balls,SA国际影视传媒� said Keene Woodcock, proudly, 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.

SA国际影视传媒淭hey're going to dry up and then they're going to grow into these flowers,SA国际影视传媒� 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 by the greenhouse, Inuvik Youth Centre, and Inuvik Community Counselling and Wellness Centre.

Each day included a theme SA国际影视传媒� from friendship to the human body SA国际影视传媒� as well as a healthy lunch and a wellness seminar in the afternoons, said Ray Solotki, executive director of the greenhouse.

SA国际影视传媒淚t's just all about a healthy life, health and wellness and taking care of each other as well as ourselves,SA国际影视传媒� 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.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was actually really fun. We got to paint on the walls in the greenhouse,SA国际影视传媒� said Jenks, explaining how the rest of his week at camp had gone so far. SA国际影视传媒淲e went to dig up some potatoes and onions.SA国际影视传媒�

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.

SA国际影视传媒淭hey're a good group of kids,SA国际影视传媒� Solotki said. SA国际影视传媒淭hey're all treating each other kindly and with respect.SA国际影视传媒�

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.

SA国际影视传媒淲e're super grateful to United Way,SA国际影视传媒� said Solotki. SA国际影视传媒淭his is all because of them and their investment in our community.SA国际影视传媒�