The Carbon and Schuylkill SHINE Afterschool program is still operating way after school ended for the 2014-2015 school year.

For the past two weeks, more than 200 children from 13 school districts in Carbon and Schuylkill counties have been attending SHINE summer camp at the Lehigh Carbon Community Center Morgan Campus in Tamaqua and at the Carbon Career & Technical Institute."The camp is held annually as a way to combat learning loss that may happen during summer vacation. It's a way to reinforce what the children learned during the school year, in a fun environment," said Rachel Strucko, director of LCCC's SHINE program. "If we can make education fun, it makes learning easier."As an example, participants were creating their own ice cream sundaes on Thursday. That may not sound educational, but first the students learned the history of ice cream. Then they used math to mix the correct ingredients to make their own frozen delight in a Ziploc bag. Those bags were then placed into another bag containing ice and rock salt, which provided a chemistry lesson.Thursday's camp activities also included learning about the environment and the cycle of life, as officials from the Lehigh Valley Zoo brought several animals for a show and tell. The turkey buzzard may not be the most attractive specimen on earth, but the students learned just how the birds play an important part in the ecology of the planet.Then it was on to the alpacas. The animals are super cute, with big brown eyes and wool that makes you just want to cuddle with them. But that wool can be used to create clothing for people. Students had the opportunity to see just how a spinning wheel works and to give it a try for themselves.There were also spirited games of dodge ball, offering the opportunity for exercise while learning about working together.Breakfast and lunch were included in each day's activities.The local afterschool program was originally created in 2002 as the brainchild of the Partners for Progress Carbon County Child and Family Collaborative Board to provide children with academic support, as well as build self-esteem and make stronger family bonds.The SHINE program helps students from birth through college with a series of programs, including summer camp, home visits, school sessions at elementary centers to middle school career academies and college internship opportunities.