There was a time when summer meant long days spent in the outdoors for school-age children who were happy to get a break from the rigors of schooling. Riding bikes, swimming and horsing around with friends until Mom called you home for dinner were the orders of the season.

These days, however, summer often means long days spent in front of the television or with a video game controller or cellphone in hand. And urging from parents to get out and do something is often met with, “But there’s nothing to do!”

Fortunately, the River Parishes offer a multitude of activities to keep both the minds and bodies of area youth from withering like a flower in the summer heat.

For young athletes, many local schools hold specialized camps that focus on any of a number of sports from football to cheerleading.

And don’t forget the public pools, which are open seven days a week in St. John the Baptist Parish and on weekdays in Gramercy.

For the more artistically inclined youngsters, many local community theaters hold drama workshops, which not only teach children the basics of theater but also allow them to appear on stage. It’s not only a learning experience but a great confidence booster as well. The more traditional arts are also tackled in a few art camps in the area.

Finally, keeping young minds active during the summer months is an imperative, and a great way to do that is by joining a summer reading program. Every public library in the tri-parish area has one, and they not only exercise the brain through reading but offer exciting activities and performances for participants, too.

So whatever your child is into, there’s a summer activity out there for him or her. All it takes is a little research and maybe a phone call or two to find the right one.