Selena Dannenfelser, 8, and Davina Lommerin, 9, lobbed a water-filled balloon back and forth Thursday morning, taking their best care not to burst it.

After a few rounds, it split open and splashed Lommerin’s legs.

The best friends and other kids have been visiting the South Ward Playground on Tuesdays and Thursdays to, well, have a blast at the Summer BLAST (Better Lives Always Start Today) program.

Held at the Tamaqua playground and three other sites across Schuylkill County, Summer BLAST is sponsored by the Schuylkill Community Action and the Schuylkill County Mental Health/Development Services and Drug & Alcohol Program.

Each two-hour session is packed with games, learning opportunities, crafts, lunch and sports.

Taylor Donmoyer, one of the program’s staff members, said those who attend the Tamaqua session enjoy the playground equipment and setup.

“They have played basketball, volleyball and a game called ‘freeze tag,’ ” she said.

But without a doubt, Donmoyer said the boys’ and girls’ favorite activity is the water balloon toss — a welcome addition during the recent hot and humid days.

“It helps to cool them off,” Donmoyer said.

On Thursday, the BLAST campers pulled burlap bags over their legs and hopped in a sack race before they got to tossing balloons.

Most days, Donmoyer said, there is a short educational program. The camps have welcomed representatives from Schuylkill Community Action, who taught them tips on budgeting and saving money.

“They gave them piggy banks and showed them how to count money,” said Donmoyer, who noted that the camp is open to first to sixth grade students.

St. Luke’s University Health Network sent a trainer, who taught children about stretching and other exercises, and they will learn about how drugs and alcohol can negatively impact their brains.

Thursday’s lesson was on feelings and stress management.

Youngsters learned how to take deep breaths to calm down, and heard tips on how to reverse their mood when they’re upset.

Crafts related to the topics are made each week.

Children colored “Coping Skills Wheels” and strung five beads on single pipe cleaners. The wheels are meant to offer ideas for enjoyable activities, while the pipe cleaners remind children to take five deep breaths during stressful situations.

Lunch is served, too, and children get free stuff to take home, including T-shirts, sunglasses, water bottles and backpacks.

“I can’t fit anything else into my pack,” Dannenfelser said, following the morning of take-home crafts.

BLAST gets underway at the South Ward from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The free program is also held two days a week in Pottsville, Frackville and Mahanoy City. It will continue through August.

For more information, or to register a child, call 570-622-1995.

Parents or guardians may also arrive on program days to register their child.