By Heather Ramsay-Skidegate Days will be infused with the Haida Power Challenge in its 30th anniversary year, and the event will also get a boost from more youth involvement.Skidegate's first youth council has been meeting regularly abd getting the ball rolling, says president Desi Collinson. Individual representatives from ages 13 to 30 are making different things happen in the community.In addition to Skidegate Days favourites, like fish splitting, canoe races, face painting and children's races, some new youth-oriented events will get underway this year.Friday night is Sports Night with a new roller hockey tournament for two-on-two teams of young people between the ages of 8 to 15 years.The three-on-three basketball tournament moves to Friday night too, along with the mixed volleyball tournament and a DJ teen dance at the community hall later that night. Steve Collinson will offer safe rides home.The Haida Power Challenge starts Saturday as does the first annual youth mud run. Robyn Boese at the Skidegate Health Centre says anyone can join the run, but youth from 0-19 who participate will be eligible to win an iPod.She says people can run or walk - it's not a race to see who is fastest. A hidden time will reveal the winner.The Haida Power Challenge is a new initiative targeted at youth, she says. Events will be held throughout the summer and those who participate will get a ribbon. Participants who collect 10 ribbons get a long-sleeved shirt with a Haida Power Wasco logo designed by Billy Yovanovich on it.At noon Saturday in the community hall parking lot, youth will get a chance to use an old-fashioned cross cut saw to cut wood for elders. Ms Boese says this Haida Power event will be a competition for the fastest time. She says the Elder Wood Program will continue year-round.Other exciting new events and activities include an opportunity to take a kayak out for a ride and jump in the horizontal bungee house (thanks to Hospital Days for this).The Totem to Totem Marathon starts at 8 am on Saturday at the Skidegate Pole at the Haida Heritage Centre and the pancake breakfast gets underway at the same time at the community hall. As usual there will be food booths, craft booths, a raffle, bingo, a salmon barbeque and more at Skidegate Days. Check the schedule in this week's Observer or call the Skidegate Band Council for more details.