Ever since Hurricane Katrina roared through Jones County in August 2005, the fear of storms, especially from children, has been elevated.

And given the fact the 2006 hurricane season has already seen its first storm, Alberto (that thankfully never developed into a full-fledged hurricane) it promises to be another stressful season for people of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

A local church, West Laurel United Methodist located at 523 N. 14th Ave., hopes to help alleviate some of those fears by holding Camp Noah beginning July 17 and running through July 20. Jennifer Clark is directing the camp and said if parents have children who are still afraid of that dark cloud on the horizon, they should consider letting their child attend this free camp.

“Camp Noah is a four-day, faith-based day camp offered for elementary children in grades K-12 who have experienced disaster,” said Clark. “The camp’s curriculum is based on the Old Testament story of Noah and the flood. The campers will be guided by trained volunteers from a youth group from Laurel, Md.”

Each day will be filled with arts, crafts, indoor and outdoor games, music, drama, journaling and small group discussion. Clark said this camp helps to strengthen children’s coping skills related to severe weather. It also provides an opportunity that children need to make sense of all the changes that have occurred in their lives since the disaster.

“This camp is offered at no cost to the families,” said Clark. “We have had volunteers from all over help out with this. Along with the group from Laurel, Md., we have a group from the state of Washington that will cook all the meals for the children during the day.”

Camp Noah will last from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily. The deadline for registration is June 19. There is a limit of 50 children for the camp. For registration information, call the church at 601-426-6734. The applications are available at the church.