Think snowball effect.

The success of this summer’s Ninth Street Park Project is about to beget future opportunities for success.

The Ninth Street Park Project Committee is meeting today at 2:30 p.m. to discuss plans for a back-to-school event similar in scope to the June day-camp. Plans are also in the works for a second annual summer day camp.

The back-to-school event is tentatively set for Aug. 24 and will be open to students from throughout the area.

Project committee member Joyce Lynd said one of the main thrusts of the back-to-school event is enrolling kids in the Family Guidance Center’s after-school programs and to encourage other similar positive programs for kids.

“If you get kids headed in the right direction you can deter that drug activity,” fellow committee member Hugh Scott said. “I think we need to keep young minds active and focused on positive things.”

Committee members are looking for volunteers, both adults and teenagers. Those who want to volunteer may call Hugh Scott at 533-1174.

This summer’s Ninth Street Park Project was the collaborative effort of a number of area entities, including the Family Guidance Center, Lawrence County Juvenile Court, Ironton

Metropolitan Housing Authority, Neighbors Plus, the recently formed citizens action group, the city of Ironton and the Appalachian Family and Children First Council.Approximately 75 kids ranging in age from 5 to 15 took part in it.

Committee members said since this summer’s day camp, other entities have expressed interest in the park project. Lynd said she has been in contact with Lawrence County 4-H Extension Agent Laura Jane Murphy, who has suggested her organization might take part in the day camp next year and may offer an after-school program in city schools as well.

Neighbors Plus member Annette Scott said in the future, the concept of the organized volunteer-led positive reinforcement neighborhood activity program may be duplicated in other areas. Chesapeake area residents have expressed an interest in duplicating the idea for their community.