COEUR d’ALENE — Now, more than ever, kids need to be kids.

"Kids always need a safe place to have fun with others their age, develop camaraderie and learn to express themselves," drama, speech and music teacher Daniel Connelly said Wednesday.

Connelly is once again hosting a weeklong theater summer camp to give kids those opportunities to play, create and explore their talents. They'll enjoy water games, improv games, team building, singing, dancing and acting as well as a short performance of "The Greatest Showman," the P.T. Barnum story.

"With the recent lockdown, kids are hungry for this," Connelly said. "I have always been a believer that acting in live dramatic plays can help bring out the best in kids. I hope to pull them away from video games and TV and lead them through a magical experience of putting on 'The Greatest Show'."

Addressing the pandemic, Connelly said safety measures will be in place.

"Oftentimes, when I am working with a large group of kids on a play during the flu season, we make sure that everyone is being careful to not spread germs and is keeping their immune system high by taking lots of vitamins, drinking lots of water and getting lots of sleep," he said. "We will be taking those same precautions here, but being even more diligent to make sure each camper is doing their part to help keep themselves and those around them happy, healthy and safe."

He said although it is a possibility the camp may be canceled or postponed, he's optimistic that by camp time, "we will be good to go."

"I love live theater and the performing arts and could not think of a better use of my time than to use those tools to help young people continue to grow and develop themselves into beautiful human beings," he said.

The camp is for ages 6 to 18 and will be held Aug. 10 to 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Summit Christian Academy (formerly LAM Christian Academy) where Connelly works.

Admission is $160 per camper.

Summit Christian Academy is at 5350 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene.

For registration and details, contact Connelly at [email protected] or 208-699-8775.

Info: www.connellyenterprises.weebly.com/summer-camps.html