A local church is sponsoring a free math clinic, hoping to help local middle-schoolers be better prepared to learn when school returns.

The clinic is being held at the Boyle County Public Library from 10 a.m. to noon, July 10-12.

The camp is for students going into sixth through eighth grades.

“It’s important,” said organizer Yolanda Weathers, who is also a math teacher at Bate Middle School. “The middle school ages and grades are important (for) foundational mathematical skills,” said organizer Yolanda Weathers, who is also a math teacher at Bate Middle School.

Weathers said math skills are a “springboard” for students as they continue their education in high school and college.

Some students, she said, simply learn what they need for the test, but don’t learn for understanding.

“We want to build … prior knowledge and help them learn the ‘mathematics,’” Weathers said. “I want the students to learn the process of mathematics, the foundation, and build upon that.”

There are 25 spots total, but Weathers said they are already filling up.

“I do have some spots still available, but they are filling up quickly,” she said. Anyone planning to attend needs to preregister.

It’s the first year for the clinic. Weathers said it’s a collaboration between herself and her father, Pastor Larry Weathers of the Vision Church of Holiness, who came up with the idea. There are a lot of reading and other similar summer programs, she said, but summer math programs are rare.

The two worked out the dates with the library.

“We are really excited about it,” she said.

The Vision Church of Holiness is sponsoring the event, providing volunteers and free lunches for the students.

“We will accept donations, but you don’t have to pay. It’s all free,” she said.

Weathers said some of her colleagues will also be joining her at the clinic.

Students don’t need to bring anything to the clinic — everything will be provided. Weathers said students will get to learn in a more hands-on manner, including through games.

“It will not just be a sit and get — sometimes you have to be creative to reach students,” Weathers said.

SO YOU KNOW

The math clinic is free and will be from 10 a.m. to noon, July 10-12 at the Boyle County Public Library.

There are only 25 total spots available for the Math Clinic, and the slots are filling up quickly. To preregister, contact Yolanda Weathers via (859) 583-9510, or via Facebook.