North Lake Tahoe Bonanza: Angela Lurtz peered over a protective wall of snow as her teammate, Graham Reddall, leaned back to launch a snowball toward the opposing team, hidden behind its own snow fort across the middle school playground.

The snowball fight was one of many free winter activities that the Incline After School Organization, founded and directed by Incline resident Chris Laramore, organizes for Incline elementary, middle and, recently, high school students.

"Initially the idea was to give the kids that go home and watch TV after school something else to do," Laramore said.

What Laramore's idea has turned into is a nonprofit - registered since October 2004 - that involves more than 300 Incline students with 28 seasonal after school activities from snow sports to video production to soccer to a swim and dive team.

"We want the kids to be physically fit and learn good behavior, sportsmanship, respect for themselves and for others," Laramore said.

Both the middle school Principal Harry Haaser and the elementary school Principal Frank Garrity have been very supportive, Laramore said.

"I very much applaud them for what they have endeavored to do and what they are doing," Garrity said. "Kids need things to do after school that are both recreation oriented and academically oriented."

Laramore said the program has been expanding every season and is run mostly by community members who volunteer their time to help coach activities they're interested in.

Friday afternoon found swim coach volunteers Jan Howell and Rosie Striffler poolside with some 15 Incline elementary and middle-school students.

"We try and keep it fun, keep them learning," Howell said. "I've been a competitive swimmer for 30 years, so I love swimming and I love being able to share this with the kids."

"I love the water and I like the exercise too," said middle-school student Angela Laurtz between laps.

"She's half fish," Howell said of Angela. "She held her breath for a minute on Wednesday. That's remarkable."

Laramore said one of the focuses of the organization is to make sure that everyone who wants to participate has the opportunity.

"Many people think that all the kids (in Incline) come from affluent families - which is not the case," Laramore said. "This is a chance for kids from all different economic classes and ethnicities to integrate. Once children are playing together they forget their differences - and so do the adults."

To learn more about the Incline After School Organization visit www.InclineAfterSchool.org or call Chris Laramore at (775) 745-6484.

Patricia Hickson
bonanza staff writer