A national youth program is returning to Canada's North, sending young volunteers to all three territories and beyond.

Since 1977, Katimavik has been sent participants aged 17 to 21 to communities across Canada, where they volunteer at non-profit organizations, gain leadership skills, and learn more about the country.

But it's been years since Katimavik has dispatched anyone north of 60. It's now starting to expand northward again, said Christian Durand, a spokesman for the organization.

"We will be in Whitehorse, Yellowknife, Iqaluit, a community called Chisasibi near James Bay [in northern Quebec], as well as three communities in Labrador," he told CBC News.

During their six- or nine-month Katimavik experience, youths live in three Canadian communities and volunteer for up to 35 hours a week for a variety of local non-profit host groups.

Officials say Katimavik has been scarce in the North in recent years, mainly because of the high costs of accommodation, food and transportation in the region.

"I think that in the last few years, probably mostly due really to the cost, we haven't run projects up North," said Sarah Gillett, Katimavik's communications and development manager in B.C. and the Yukon.

"But I think that this year, there really was a realization on the part of the organization that this was something we really needed to do, in order to expose our youth to the diversity of Canada and make sure that those communities are being represented."

Durand said Katimavik, which is funded by the federal Heritage Department, is searching for other ways to expand its northern presence, he added.

"We're also looking at diversifying our funding, and ... there are potentials for partnerships with northern governments," he said. "Philosophically, you know, I think we see a lot of opportunity."

Eleven youths will arrive in Whitehorse on Sept. 2, where they will assist organizations such as Raven Recycling, the Boys and Girls Club and the Association franco-yukonnaise.

"I think it's great that they realize that the North is an important part of Canada," said Regis St. Pierre, the francophone association's executive director.

"It's great also for us because people will discover that there [are] francophones that live in the North."

In 2008-2009, more than 900 youths volunteered for 700 organizations in nearly 100 communities across the country, according to the organization's website.