Nearly 180 students in Polk County will benefit from Summetime Kids Grants awarded recently by The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.

The foundation awarded $2,000 to Polk County Schools for 132 students with limited English proficiency and low performance issues to attend an enrichment camp that includes theater, art and music. The camp also provides support for specific academic issues.

The foundation also awarded $2,000 to the Town of Tryon to provide scholarships to 45 children for the full-day, summer-long camp at Harmon Field. The camp includes classes in crafts, nature study, outdoor activities and special projects that include summer reading, river wildlife, gardening and landscaping.

The grants were part of $47,574 awarded to 28 nonprofit organizations and public agencies in Western North Carolina for summertime activities.

The grants are designed to benefit children of low-income families, children living in remote or rural areas, children with disabilities or children who have suffered from neglect or abuse.

&dquo;Every child should look forward to the summer, no matter what their financial situation or physical abilities. These grants help make important programs possible for children who otherwise might not have a chance to participate in camps and programs that provide enrichment and just plain fun,&dquo; said Pat Smith, president of The Community Foundation.