MacDill offers first youth center morning programs

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jenay Randolph
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Youth Center is offering morning programs for the first time at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, to include 13 camps and nine field trips. Camps and field trips include: the Science-Technology-Education-Arts-Math, Paintball, Technology, Flag Football, and Disk Jockey camps, along with Big Cat Rescue, Horseback Riding, and Adventure Island field trips.

The mission is to assist the Department of Defense military and civilian personnel in balancing the competing demands of mission and family life by managing and delivering a system of quality, availability and affordable programs for eligible youth.

"We wanted to accommodate those families who have to be to work early and may not be able to come back at noon when the Youth Center opens," explained Harold Hug, 6th Force Support Squadron youth center director. "This way, youth can come to the morning camps at 8 a.m. and transition to the Youth Center Open Recreation Program at noon until 6 p.m."

These programs provide opportunities for youths to develop their physical, social, emotional and cognitive abilities and to experience achievement, leadership, enjoyment, friendship and recognition. The camps and field trips last until August 21, 2015, but the open recreation program is ongoing.

"Our staff care and engage our youth while providing a safe and nurturing environment," expressed Hug.

In addition, the youth center is trying to target the teenage audience by offering a myriad of things for them that may be beneficial to include Youth of the Year, Congressional Award, Youth Employment Skills and Keystone Club.

Through these programs, the teens can be awarded a full scholarship to pay for their college education, volunteer recognition to increase college application and provide active duty Air Force dependents in grades 9-12 the opportunity to learn on the job training while earning money towards college.

This unique leadership development experience allows the youth to participate in activities in three focus areas: academic success, career preparation and community service.

The overall mission is to provide quality morale, welfare, recreation and support services to more than 7,000 multi-service active duty personnel and 1,400 civilians assigned to the 6th Air Mobility Wing, U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command , and various mission partners .

With these programs, the youth center plays a vital role in achieving the overall mission of the 6th FSS by supporting approximately 12,000 dependents.

For more information about the youth center programs contact Harold Hug the youth center director at (813)828-7958 or visit the 6th FSS website at www.macdillfss.com.