AMY SZPARA

RESERVE – A sapling, surrounded by flourishing, colorful flowers, stands stern in the grass just before the murky waters of the Reserve Canal at the boat launch used by so many area residents. Though small and thin, the young tree will grow tall and mature in memory of a child who did not get to see his own adulthood. The solitary tree will be a reminder of a loved little boy who lost his life in the waters he adored. The tree was planted Saturday by the LeBlanc family, a tight-knit clan who loves the water and boating, for the young family member who drowned almost two months ago. Surrounded by family and friends, mother, father, twin daughters and son looked at the lean-stemmed tree in remembrance of Challing Eugene Albert LeBlanc, 4, who died in a boating accident June 2 on Lake Maurepas. Challing had been boating with his father, Stephen LeBlanc, in a 15-foot-long, flat-bottomed boat, when the watercraft became swamped and father and child were thrown into the water. Though Challing was an avid swimmer, having swam often in Lake Maurepas where his parents had a small camp, he did not come up for air. His father searched for a significant amount of time, then notified the U.S. Coast Guard and the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. PHOTO 2: the LeBlanc family stands next to the memorial sapling. From left are twins Channie, front, and Chassie, 8, Liz LeBlanc, Channing, 12, and Stephen LeBlanc. (Staff Photos by Amy Szpara) When a Coast Guard helicopter spotted a life preserver four-and-a-half hours after Challing had entered the water, a Wildlife and Fisheries boat went out to the spot and the agents found the child floating near the vest. “It’s rough, much harder than I even thought it would be. I still go out there where it happened,” said Liz LeBlanc, Challing’s mother. “For me, the spirit of him is in the lake. Those are his waters.” PHOTO 3: Heidi, front, and Patricia Blouin of LaPlace look at a memorial to Challing LeBlanc at the Reserve Canal boat launch. The girls are friends of the LeBlanc family, who gathered Saturday to plant a tree for Challing. The tree, donated by Jamie LeBranch, a family friend, was planted and then a prayer and a few words were said by the Rev. Pat Sanders of St. Peters Catholic Church. Afterwards, the family, along with close friends, reminisced about the little boy. The tree is only one of many memorials to Challing. Also at the boat launch is a wreath with pictures of the boy on one of the pilings of the pier. Challing’s father built three crosses that stand on a stump at the point where the Reserve Canal flows into Lake Maurepas. Their camp, which they call a tree house, sat in the middle of the lake built up with a deck surrounding it. That was also a reminder of the child, but it has recently burned down. Though the family is holding together by embracing memories of Challing, they all have had a hard time. “I got my days,” said Stephen LeBlanc. “The kids have their days, too.” Liz LeBlanc said the three children received some counseling after the accident. She is planning to call a counselor to get them more help soon. Twin girls, Chassie and Channie, 8, and their brother, Channing, 12, still love the water and have not turned away from it because of the accident. Liz LeBlanc said Challing was a good swimmer, and he felt at home in the water, as all of her children do. “He was a pretty good swimmer. He learned how to swim early. They all did. My husband fell out of the boat, and then he fell out of the boat. The propeller hit him (Challing),” she said. The family went back to the Reserve Canal boat launch Sunday, a day after the planting, to sit around and think about Challing. “He was a very active child,” said Liz LeBlanc. “He was a child that never stopped. “We called him the Energizer Bunny.’ But, his batteries finally ran out. He always tried to keep up with his older brother. He kept me going.” Two weeks after Challing died, the family went to the spot where the accident happened to throw a wreath into the water for him. “That little boy touched a lot of lives. A lot of adults took him to heart. He was just always around everyone,” said Liz LeBlanc. The family’s camp was open to everyone, and friends often met there, but on July 6 it burned down, leaving only steps in the water. Pictures of the burned tree house show charred marks that seem to drip down the steps. Liz LeBlanc said she turned the lighter fluid bottle in to detectives with the sheriff’s office and is hoping to find the person responsible for torching the camp. She said she does not know if they will rebuild because rumors are floating about the possibility of the canal being closed off and camps being purchased for a wildlife refuge area. Stephen LeBlanc said he plans to talk with Governor Mike Foster about the rumors. “Everyone was welcome there,” said Liz LeBlanc, looking at pictures of groups of people on the deck of the tree house. Another photo showed her husband holding up Challing, who she said loved the tree house and whose memory will always be at the site.