Deh Cho - Over the course of 400 kilometres of river 10 Deh Cho students are discovering what it's like to be at the mercies of the weather and to be dependent on each other.

Students from four Deh Cho communities including Fort Providence, Nahanni Butte, Kakisa and Fort Simpson are participating in this year's Mackenzie Youth Leadership Trip. Students began their canoe trip in Fort Providence on June 10, reached Fort Simpson on June 19 and planned to be at Willow Lake River, their final destination, by June 23.

Shiana Sabourin of Fort Providence sets up a tent during the Mackenzie Youth Leadership Trip between Fort Providence and Willow Lake River. - photo courtesy of Annie Casson

Along the way the participants are learning a variety of skills including how to steer a canoe, set up camp, use a map and work together as a group.

"They've been doing really well," said Annie Casson, the training manger with the NWT Recreation and Parks Association, which organizes the trip.

The students started the trip with a wide range of canoe experience ranging from very little to extensive. The student with the most experience, Ben Vandell of Fort Providence, is acting as a junior instructor on the trip.

The participants spent their first four nights at Horn River taking a wilderness first aid course and a Paddle Canada course to familiarize them with the canoes. There were a lot of sore muscles in the beginning but it's been getting easier, Casson said.

During the one-day layover in Fort Simpson, Casson said the participants have reached a point where they're in a routine and have come together as a group.

"It's been really nice seeing them working with each other," she said.

The routine includes waking up between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. and getting on the river by 8 a.m. or 9 a.m.. The first break comes an hour or so later followed by a lunch break around noon. After a few more breaks in the afternoon the group stops for the night between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Each participant is tasked with different responsibilities each day.

Although all of the students say they've been having fun the trip hasn't been easy.

"It's had its highs and its lows," said Bradley Thom of Fort Providence.

The highs include days with fast current and sunshine while the lows involved rainy weather and cloud cover. The first full day on the river was one of the worst, Thom said.

The group was up at 4 a.m. to cross Mills Lake in the hope of avoiding the wind. The group beat some of the wind but not all of it. That night they camped in a marshy area just south of the lake.

Thom, 14, said he didn't feel like continuing after that day but "sucked it up" knowing there was no way to turn back. Some of the enjoyable parts of the trip have included listening to teacher Jonas Landry tell traditional stories and skipping rocks, Thom said.

Shiana Sabourin, also of Fort Providence, agreed the days with rainy weather and wind have been tough. Overall, however, Sabourin was upbeat about the trip.

"I've been having a lot of fun, it's a good experience," she said.

"Something new happens every day. There're always challenges so it's fun."

Sabourin said she's enjoyed canoeing, preparing food and setting up the tents. The trip has included a lot of learning experiences, she said.

"I'm a better canoer and I may be a better camper," said Sabourin.

"I'm really, really happy I came."

In addition to their new skills and self-confidence the students will leave the trip with four high school credits.