Registration opens on May 24 for Summer Heat, a popular program for children offered by the recreation department of the Town of Hay River.
Dale Loutit, the recreation programmer with the town, noted there are a limited number of spaces available for Summer Heat and she advises parents to sign up their children as soon as possible after registration opens at 10 a.m. on May 24 at the Rec Centre.
The program, set for July and August, is for ages five to 11 years.
"I believe it's going to be full the first day," said Loutit, noting parents have already been calling about the program.
"There's been a lot of feedback from the community," she noted. "People are worried about what they're going to do with their kids over the summer."
From July 4 to Aug. 24, Summer Heat will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday to Friday.
Registration costs $350 per child.
Loutit noted that, based on past years, some children will be registered and then may go on vacation or drop out during the summer, and for that reason a waitlist will also be created.
Amanda Roach, a student at the University of Alberta, is the co-ordinator of this year's Summer Heat.
She will be joined by three other play leaders.
Roach, who started work on May 14, is currently planning the activities for Summer Heat.
"We're going to be doing field trips and outdoor games, indoor games, arts, crafts, swimming, beach days. That kind of stuff," she said.
Plus, she is also hoping to create theme weeks.
Summer Heat will include visits to NWT Centennial Library and other locations around town, such as the Hay River Heritage Centre.
Roach hopes to concentrate on outdoor activities.
"It's so cold here eight months out of the year you might as well go outside while it's warm and you can, unless it's too hot," she said.
Loutit also said Summer Heat will be outdoors as much as possible.
"Because we really believe outdoor activities are healthy for the kids," she said. "Get them outdoors because they're indoors all winter."
Loutit also noted Summer Heat's educational aspect of teaching the youngsters about their own community and what's in it.
Summer Heat is presented with funding from the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.