AMY SZPARA

PHOTO 1: LaPlace resident Haley Beadle, 6, sits atop the dunking booth at the Ascension of Our Lord Summer Day Camp. The booth is one of many outdoor activities the children are participating in through July, including eating blue snoballs. (Staff Photo by Amy Szpara) LAPLACE – Keeping kids off the streets during the long, hot summer months is a goal voiced time and time again by parents, community members and parish officials. Finding summer activities or organizations to keep children busy can require some investigation and may be time-consuming, considering there are three months to fill. But some parents in St. John Parish have opted to enroll their children in a day camp, choosing to give them a daily schedule of learning combined with fun. Stacey DiFranco has first-hand knowledge of what it takes to keep kids entertained, while inspiring them to be creative and open to learning. She has chosen to spend June and July of this summer as the director of the Ascension of Our Lord Catholic School Summer Day Camp. PHOTO 2: Children at the Ascension of Our Lord Summer Day Camp wait for their turn in the space walk, as counselors-in-training supervise. (Staff Photo by Amy Szpara) Beginning June 4 and ending July 20, DiFranco is spending seven weeks of her summer with children ranging from ages four to 13. Open to all children, regardless of religion or what school they attend, the annual camp is sponsored by KidCam, a company that runs camps all over the archdiocese. Though each day begins with a prayer, that is the extent of religion in the camp. “It is strictly a regular camp,” said DiFranco. She added that classes are broken down into four and five year olds, six through eight year olds, nine and 10 year olds and 11 through 13 year olds. Campers begin their day at 9 a.m., though the camp does offer free before- care that begins at 7 a.m. Regular camp ends at 3 p.m., but there is also an after-care program that remains open until 6 p.m. With daily activities such as skating, bowling, karate instruction, cheerleading, swimming and outings to River Town and Celebration Station, the kids have a full day every day. Parents are welcome to enroll their children for a day or for a week through July 20 for a fee. Part of KidCam Summer Camps, Ascension of Our Lord’s camp includes daily activities set up by Big Fun Inflatable games, a company that provides the camp with space walks, dunking booths, water slides, and obstacle courses. Talent shows, arts and crafts and swimming lessons give the children a chance to be creative and learn. Lunch is provided for the campers for a price, though they can bring their own lunches. Upcoming activities include a DJ performance and a velcro wall that children will be able to use outside. DiFranco, who has taught second grade since she moved to LaPlace a year ago, said this is her first summer directing the camp. With a staff of 12 people at a time and 8 counselors-in-training, she has a lot of help with the children and the activities. “I’m here to make sure the whole thing is running smoothly,” said DiFranco, who added that she wouldn’t mind doing it again next year. “So far, so good. It gives me something to do, and I enjoy working with the kids.” For more information about KidCam Camps call 1-800-229-9761 or visit the website at www.kidcamcamp.com. To find out about the Ascension of Our Lord Camp, visit the school office or call for tuition costs.