LULING — United Way of St. Charles has granted $47,700 in scholarships to families participating in the St. Charles Parish Parks and Recreation Department Inclusive Summer Day Camp.

Through the grant, United Way is sending 159 children from St. Charles Parish to summer camp, including 101 first-time campers.

The Inclusive Summer Day Camp is a six-week program offered to children ages 5-15.

The camp includes field trips, games, arts and crafts, swimming and fun educational activities.

Campsites include Lakewood, St. Rose, Schoeffner and Luling Elementary Schools.

Catherine Poon personally knows the importance of this scholarship opportunity, especially for a child like her son Bradley, who has never participated in camp before.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you! It means so much to me that Bradley will be able to attend Lakewood Elementary’s Inclusive Summer Camp,” said Poon.

“Without United Way’s help, I would be unable to provide him with this wonderful opportunity to learn new things and meet other kids with disabilities.”

The idea for the United Way of St. Charles Summer Camp Scholarship Program came after community forums identified additional summer activities for youth as one of the major current needs in St. Charles Parish. Community members, church pastors, local government officials, industry representatives and educators attended the series of forums as part of United Way of St. Charles’ strategic planning goals.

“The response to last year’s Summer Camp Scholarship Program was phenomenal,” stated Kacy Kernan, Director of Community Impact for United Way of St. Charles.

“In 2015, we were able to send 98 children, including 61 first-time campers, to summer camp. This year we received twice as many applications, including several from families impacted by layoffs in the oil and gas industry.

Fortunately, we were able to respond to the increased need with 61 additional scholarships this year.

The families we’ve met are extremely grateful for the opportunity to send their children to camp, often allowing a child to attend camp who would have not been able to otherwise.”

This year’s need-based scholarship was open to all St. Charles Parish residents and is made possible by the generosity of United Way of St. Charles donors.