Chronicling the rich history of the annual Polar Games is no easy feat. Not even for the people who have been consistently involved with it over the years.

Its debatable as to where and when the Games were first held, but this Friday will mark the 40th anniversary of when the sporting event first made an appearance in Whitehorse.

This year's milestone will be noted on the T-shirts that are given out to the participating kids, which will read on the front "Polar Games 40th anniversary 1969-2009."

For Dave Stockdale, it will be a special moment on Friday at the opening ceremonies.

Stockdale has been involved since 1968 and has seen the Games change from being a competitive high school competition to what is now a more fun-based activity.

"Very rarely do you ever look that far down the road and think something will last that long," Stockdale said about the Polar Games. "All of a sudden it just dawns on you."

Stockdale said when the Games were first held they were more of an elite high school competition that went up to Grade 12.

Kids from not only the Yukon, but Alaska and Northern B.C. played for trophies and medals that were handed out in multiple sports.

In 1969, Stockdale even had a group from Uranium City, Saskatchewan attend, bringing with them a gift of a core sample, which was mounted on a plaque.

With not many sporting organizations around in the late 60s and early 70s, the Polar Games was one of the premier annual sporting events in the Yukon. It consistently attracted hundreds of participants year in and year out.

However, in the mid-70s the Northern B.C. Games began and slowly the kids from communities outside the territory stopped coming.

Eventually it went down in grades and is now restricted to students in both Grade 5 and 6.

"The kids are so full of enthusiasm and everything is still a wonder to them at Grade 5 and 6," Stockdale said. "They don't carry grudges, they are just there for the pure enjoyment of doing it."

Despite the Polar Games being limited to mostly just Grade 5 and 6 Yukoners, it still gets a great turnout, which this year will include 20 schools and roughly 640 kids.

The different participating communities this weekend will include Whitehorse, Watson Lake, Old Crow, Teslin, Atlin, Carcross, Haines Junction, Pelly Crossing, Dawson City, Ross River, Carmacks and Beaver Creek.

The two day event will feature soccer, handball, floor hockey, volleyball, curling, bowling, swimming, mini-tennis and table tennis.

Stockdale said this weekend will mark the first time mini-tennis will be played, adding it will be put on as a drop in at the Canada Games Centre's Flexihall. Mini tennis will be played along with table tennis and give participating students an option besides swimming.

After being a critical part of the Polar Games for the past four decades, Stockdale has more than a few fond memories.

One of his favourites, however, came a few years ago during a CBC did radio segment interviewing some of the participants.

When one of the kids being interviewed was asked if he had won a floor hockey game he was in that day he said, after a lengthy pause, "I don't know."

"I thought that was perfect for him to say that because it's exactly what it is," Stockdale said. "We don't keep records, we don't keep score, we don't give medals. There are no trophies, you just do it for fun. The kids are all mixed up and different schools are playing with each other and there is no school against school or anything like that."

Stockdale said one of the reasons he has continued organizing the Polar Games is to give the rural schools an opportunity to travel to Whitehorse.

In addition to the sports, there will also be a dance held at Whitehorse Elementary School on Friday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Stockdale said he will eventually have to pass on the responsibility of organizing to someone else, but added he is looking forward to holding it once again this weekend.

"It's just a fun weekend," he said. "I really enjoy it and hope the kids have a great time."

The Polar Games are funded by the Department of Education, the Yukon government and participant fees.