Beacon program at St. Cyprian offers summer fun
By Christie L. Chicoine
CS&T Staff Writer
PHILADELPHIA — Dodge ball and dance, arts and crafts, free throws and field trips — there is plenty of fun to be found at the Beacon summer camp at St. Cyprian School in Southwest Philadelphia.
Just ask 8-year-old Dallas Ryan, 9-year-old Chiudo Orji or 13-year-old Alea Bowie-Melvin. They are among 129 youngsters who have been busy at play at 6225 Cedar Ave. since late June.
“It’s fun — it gives you something to do all day, so you don’t have to stay at home and be bored,” Alea said.
Beacon summer camps are a component of the archdiocesan and City of Philadelphia-run Beacon program in which various parish schools remain open after school hours in many of Philadelphia’s dangerous and destitute neighborhoods, affording children a place to play and learn.
Ever since Alea picked up a basketball at St. Cyprian’s Beacon camp, she’s been hooked on the sport. Dallas said she likes learning new steps in the camp’s dance class and dabbling in the arts and crafts.
According to Chiudo, “you’re never bored.” And for that, he credits the “cool” and “nice” adult group leaders who patiently teach and entertain him and his peers.
Kareem Thomas, 32, became the director of the St. Cyprian Beacon Center when the Beacon program opened there last year. A 1993 alumnus of West Philadelphia Catholic High School, Thomas taught eighth grade at St. Cyprian from 2000 to 2007. Some of his former students are now high school and college students who serve as Beacon group leaders.
Thomas hopes the program provides a safe and fun-filled summer for the youth entrusted to his care. During a visit to the site on July 11, Thomas played a game of dodge ball with the youth, but never compromised his role as director. No matter what the activity, Thomas appeared to be keenly aware of who should be where at all times.
“We have an excellent staff — everybody works hard,” Thomas said.
In addition to being a safe haven, the social component the Beacon program provides is a big plus. It is at the program, Thomas said, that some of the more reserved youngsters tend to “come out of their shell.”
Rehearsals are already in progress for an end-of-camp production that will showcase the talents of all the camp-goers. The one-night performance, which is open to the public, begins at 6:30 p.m.Wednesday, Aug. 13 at the St. Cyprian Beacon Center.
“This camp,” Chiudo said, “is like no other camp.”
Both Catholic and non-Catholic students in and around the Southwest Philadelphia community attend summer camp at the St. Cyprian Beacon Center. The camp opened June 23 and runs through Aug. 15. Youth in the first through ninth grades attend from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. A separate session, geared to students in junior high and high school, is held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. weeknights.
For more information about the Beacon summer camp at St. Cyprian, call (215) 474-1926 or e-mail kathomas@chs-adphila.org. For information about other archdiocesan Beacon and after-school summer camps in Philadelphia, call (215) 587-3590.
CS&T Staff Writer Christie L. Chicoine may be reached at (215) 587-2468 or cchicoin@adphila.org.