With the economy affecting many families, summer camps may be one place where parents cut back. However, this year there is a free camp, called Project Explore, that is aimed at expanding children’s knowledge in the arts, career development and black history. It is open to any student who will be starting sixth or seventh grade in the fall.

The idea for the camp started in 1991, when Jackie Love worked for Indiana University Southeast. After many years of the program running there, Love came to work for Greater Clark County Schools as director of multicultural affairs.

She said people have been requesting that she bring the program back, so she is starting in July with the help of the Jeffersonville Boys and Girls Club.

“All the research says that students should remain involved, engaged in reading and writing and positive experiences even during the summer months,” Love said. “I’m hoping that this program will do that for them. That it will engage them, will encourage them to do research, will engage them in exploring and to help them to think ... and to learn, even in the off months.”

The program will be held at the Jeffersonville Boys and Girls Club and is open to the first 25 participants for each of two sessions.

Richard Logsdon, unit director for the Jeffersonville Boys and Girls Club, said he already is getting many calls about the program.

Love said she hopes to not only reach the 50 total, but to have too many apply. She said she will work to expand the program to fit all who want to attend. She said that in the end, she hopes kids get something out of it that will help them in the future.

“I’m hoping that they will become a little more interested in those areas [of art, black history and science] and that it helps build their leadership and cognitive skills so that they will be better students in the classroom,” she said.

Love said she hopes to make this an annual free camp for students.