In June 2001, several community-minded volunteers, experienced in working with neighborhood at-risk children through various venues, founded Great Kids Explorer Club, an innovative early intervention program targeting at-risk students from kindergarten through fifth grade. The group sought to bridge the gaps they saw between the efforts of schools and parents and to address ongoing issues that impeded the success of the community’s children, especially the low income ones. The vision was to develop a program relevant to the children’s needs and easily replicated throughout Volusia County through partnering with elementary schools. The objective was to create a program that would help students improve academically, socially, emotionally, and to develop positive leaders.

Today: 

Since 2001, we have expanded from a single program site to multiple locations across Volusia County. In partnership with the Volusia County school system, our role is to work closely with our partnering schools and churches in motivating disadvantaged young children to improve their lives by enhancing: self-image, behaviors, attitudes toward learning, ability to handle life’s challenges, and academic skills.

Mission of our programs: 

Our mission is to help at-risk children recognize their unique talents and individual value through academic and character building education and by surrounding the children with positive role models.