2nd Lt. Kyle Ives with the 436th Maintenance Squadron reads to children May 24, 2012, at the Youth Center on Dover Air Force Base, Del. The Youth Center's summer programs will allow children to stay engaged and active while out of school by offering them activities and events that cater to their interests. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew Hubby)
Children play outside May 24, 2012, at the Youth Center on Dover Air Force Base, Del. The Youth Center offers many different programs and camps during the summer months to keep children engaged and active while out of school. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew Hubby)
by Senior Airman Matthew Hubby
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
5/29/2012 - DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- As the school year draws to a close, the Dover Air Force Base, Del., Youth Center is preparing a multitude of summer programs for the youth of Team Dover to keep them focused over the summer.
The Youth Center's summer programs run June 11 - Aug. 18, and encompass the majority of summer break. Most of the Youth Center's programs are free - only one, a summer camp sponsored by the Youth Center, has a fee that is weighted based on household income. All Dover AFB children are welcome to attend the camps.
"Our goal is to get the kids up and moving around," said Roxanne Lee, Youth Center recreation specialist with the 436th Force Support Squadron. "We want to keep them entertained and focused during the summer."
All of these programs would be nearly impossible to complete without volunteers, said Lee. Parents and Airmen interested in volunteering in Youth Center programs can visit the Youth Center to volunteer.
"We can use volunteers for all of our camps," said Lee. "We're looking forward to people coming out and signing up."
The Youth Center is also planning to hold a "youth deployment line." The youth deployment line shows children the different parts of the deployment process so they can better understand what their parents are doing when they go on deployment. The goal is to ease children's fears that can often crop up when their parents deploy.
There will also be a daily 4-H club, a program to promote agricultural education and growth, available throughout the summer. At the end of the program, children will have their projects entered into the state fair.
"It is important to us that our youth stay healthy. All of the camps will be interactive and focus on the mind, body and soul, but fun is the main goal," said Lee.
