While other kids were heading off to the movie theatres to see Grease, young athletes in the province were gathering for the first BC Games.

The first BC Games event - a Summer Games - was held in Penticton in 1978.

The government of B.C. established the BC Summer and BC Winter Games in 1977, dictating that they be held every two years.

The Games, including the zone events that qualify athletes for the provincial level competitions, are governed by a provincial board of directors, appointed by the minister responsible for sport.

Over its 30-year history, the BC Summer and BC Winter Games have been staged in 38 communities and have hosted 100,000 participants representing every region of B.C.

The purpose of the Games is to provide an opportunity for the development of athletes, coaches, and officials in preparation for higher levels of competition.

The Games are based on the philosophy that having everyone gather for a multi-sport event promotes interest and participation in sport and sporting activities, individual achievement, and community development.

The average age of athletes competing at the Games is 13-15 years old.

They qualify through camps and qualification events in their home zone: Kootenays (Zone 1); Thompson-Okanagan (Zone 2); Fraser Valley (Zone 3); Fraser River Delta (Zone 4); Vancouver-Squamish (Zone 5); Vancouver Island-Central Coast (Zone 6); North West (Zone 7); and Cariboo - North East (Zone 8).

The young athletes are generally the best in their respective categories for their sports.

As for the coaches who help them get there, all BC Games coaches must be fully certified at NCCP Level 2 (or equivalent) in the sport they are coaching.

While athletes, coaches, and families get ready for competition, the host community also goes through an intensive period of training and preparation.

The BC Games Society provides funding and event management consultation services, but the heavy lifting is done by the volunteers in each host community.

The host community board of directors is typically composed of a president and 14 directors. In the Township of Langley, there are also a vice-president, two directors of ceremonies, and three board liaisons.

Another 114-150 volunteer chairs have been working with the directors, forming committees that are each responsible for different program areas necessary to successful execution of the Games.

For the Township of Langley Games, it is anticipated that there will be a need for about one volunteer for every Games participant.

That's a little easier going than their BC Winter Games volunteer counterparts, who out number athletes and coaches about one-and-a-half to one.