Katarina Weideman, 8, hasn’t missed a day of the Summer Better Lives Always Start Today (B.L.A.S.T.) program at the South Ward Playground in Tamaqua.

With arts and crafts, educational workshops and sports, she said it’s hard to say what she enjoys most.

“I like everything,” Weideman admitted, as she took a break from an obstacle course Thursday.

Sponsored by the Schuylkill County Mental Health/Development Services and Drug and Alcohol Program and Schuylkill Community Action, the free program offers fun and educational activities for children in kindergarten to sixth grades.

B.L.A.S.T. gets underway in Tamaqua on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and is also offered from sites in Frackville, Mahanoy City and Pottsville.

Ashley Schappe, case manager for Schuylkill County Drug and Alcohol, said the program starts with a 15-minute lesson on an important topic.

“Today we did medication and Tuesday we talked about emotions,” Schappe said. “Then we do an activity that ties into that topic.”

With glitter, water and food coloring, the youths created “snow globes” to signify changing emotions.

After crafts, youths enjoy lunch. Then it’s on to nature exploration, discovery projects, sports and games or even ice cream parties.

“We did a group picture today and we gave all of them T-shirts,” Schappe noted. Children have also received backpacks, water bottles and sunglasses with the B.L.A.S.T. logo.

“We try to give them something each week that has ‘Summer B.L.A.S.T.’ on it just so they remember” the lessons they learned - and to keep coming back, said Dawn Fisher, community outreach coordinator for Mental Health/Development Services and Drug and Alcohol.

She said about 300 children are registered for the program at the four sites.

Danielle Schieck, of Tamaqua, brings her children to the program, Her daughter, Skylin Schieck, 9, was especially enjoying the crafts.

“They have fun,” Danielle said. “It gets them out of the house and they get to play with other kids.”

Registration is taken by calling 570-622-1995 or by arriving on the day of the B.L.A.S.T. It will continue until Aug. 15.