The Niles Education Foundation donated $5,000 Tuesday to the program, Summer My Way, a community wide effort designed to keep children active, engaged and learning throughout the summer.

More than 300 children are currently participating in the new program, which is a collaboration between the Berrien County 4H, the City of Niles, Four Flags Chamber of Commerce, Lake Michigan College, Lakeland Health Care, Niles-Buchanan YMCA, Niles Community Schools and Niles District Library.

Summer My Way offers eight weeks of fun, free, full-day classes five days a week to students from kindergarten to fifth grade in the Niles Community Schools District.

Darla Schneider, volunteer coordinator for Niles Community Schools said the program is full. Space was limited and open on a first come first served basis.

Mark Weber, CEO of the Niles-Buchanan YMCA, said there was so much interest in the program that more than 100 children could not participate.

The program was free for all students enrolled in Niles Community Schools.

Organizers hope that Summer My Way can be expanded in coming years.

Most of the sessions take place at Ballard Elementary School in Niles, although activities will take place at a variety of sites around the area.

Summer My Way runs through Aug. 8.