I know this may not be the place to ask for this kind of help but I feel that if we do not get the kids interested in the things that make up the history of Indiana we will not have a future generation to carry on for us. My son was at the Jr. Hist. Society Camp this year. The last day they told the kids & parents that there would be not more camps. It seems that the Indiana Historical Society has cut the funds and there is no money for the camps for the kids. My son went last year and learned about the History of the Pre-historical part of Indiana in the fossils and also the history of sports in Indiana. This year it was the fur trade and the Miami Indian. I know he has learned so much from the summer camps, it is sad to see them go. He Jr. Hist Society (for those that are not familiar with it) meets in the schools during the school year ( Not all grade schools participate), but for those that do grades 4-6 all over the state are able to learn about Indiana in a setting that teaches them that Indiana past has value and can be interesting to learn. The schools in Rush Co. take a 2 day spring trip letting the kids out of school to go on a Fri. & Sat trip. Some of the teachers go with the group and the school system provides the buses. (our school assistant administrator drives a bus and the have a reg. bus driver for the other one). This year they went to the north west part of Indiana. Last year it was the south east part of the state. So the kids have seen a lot of Indiana Historical sites first hand. While I am sure our school district will continue with these trips the summer camp is going to be gone. I feel that there are many in Indiana that do not even know about the Jr. Historical Society and the activities they have been doing. Maybe that is why the powers that be feel they can cut the funds to this group. We were told by the camp director that the only even "dream" of keeping the camp was flood the Indiana Historical Society with letter expressing the value of the Jr. Hist. Camps. I am asking for your help in doing this....below is the contact information.....PLEASE HELP.....the kids of Indiana need to know the value of our past. I come from several of the pioneer families in the Monroe Co. area, I know my ancestors are going to be upset that it is felt the kids of Indiana should not be taught of the states collective past Thanks for your help Sorry this is so long........ Diana Mahan in Rush Co. Indiana Contact information: Dr. R. Shoemaker at rshoemaker@indhistory.org 450 W. Ohio Indianapolis, Indiana 46202