By Thea Jarvis

The hazy, languid days of summer are just around the corner.

Families are breaking out their picnic gear, planning vacations, and looking forward to the slower, more relaxed pace that summer brings.

For school children, especially, the promises of summer seem endless -- at least at the beginning of the season.

But more often than not, the three-months duration of long-awaited freedom becomes heavy on young hands.

The increasing need for two-parent incomes means many children spend their summer relatively unsupervised -- or placed in day-care situations.

Even with parents who are able to remain at home, children need activities that keep their interest and spirits high.

Last year, the Archdiocese of Atlanta's summer program, Camp Promise, offered a safe and happy place to be for countless Atlanta area youngsters. This year, several archdiocesan churches are offering parish programs patterned on the Camp Promise model. These parishes have added their own creative touches, insuring another enjoyable experience for many of metro Atlanta's youth.

At Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Atlanta, Garcia Alston will direct the summer activities, which will run from June 28-July 3.

Mrs. Alston, who teaches reading and social studies at Our Lady of Lourdes School, has a wide range of events planned for youngsters aged six through 13 years, including reading, Bible study, music arts and crafts, gymnastics, swimming and creative dance.

The Lourdes camp will utilize facilities at the Martin Luther King Center across the street from the church for its swimming and reading programs.

Students from Atlanta University, as well as teachers from Our Lady of Lourdes School, will staff the summer program. Activities begin at 9 a.m. and end a 3 p.m. each weekday. Day-care will also be available from 3-6 p.m. for the convenience of working parents.

Seminarian Jim Murray will be in charge of summer fun at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Decatur, whose summer camp is scheduled for July 5 - 30.

Children in grades kindergarten through eight are included in this "vacation bible school" format, which will offer an informal faith experience highlighted by crafts, music, field trips and games.

Staff at the Decatur program is to be augmented by religious from Pennsylvania who will spend part of their vacation at the month-long camp, which is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sister Jean Booms, IHM, pastoral associate at Sts. Peter and Paul, has indicated that the camp will primarily serve parish youth, although neighborhood children will also be included.

St. Anthony's Church in Atlanta will be providing a camp experience this summer from June 21 - July 16.

From 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., there will be structured classes in reading, math, music and art. Field trips will also be included. Unstructured recreation will be offered from 3:30 to 6 p.m.

St. Anthony's expects both parish and neighborhood children to fill its camp. All teachers from St. Anthony's School, as well as religious from outside the Archdiocese of Atlanta, will help staff the summer program, under the direction of Antoinette Carson, a fourth-grade teacher at St. Anthony's School.

All these camps, which are financially assisted by the Archdiocese of Atlanta, will give children the opportunity for a happy, wholesome summer. Parishes may charge a nominal fee for the camp experience, and tuition scholarships are available in some cases.

For further information on the summer programs, call 404-522-6776 (Lourdes), 404-241-5862 (Sts. Peter and Paul), or 404-758-8861 (St. Anthony's).