Air Force Teen Council
The Air Force Teen Council (AFTC) is a network of teens working to resolve issues and voice concerns to the highest levels of AF leadership on behalf of teens globally or worldwide. Teens who have the opportunity to brief Air Force leadership on their issues contribute to the well-being of Air Force families. By interacting with Air Force leadership in person, the teens learn more about being a visionary and strategic thinker they no longer think in terms of my installation but of the Air Force as a whole.
Air Force FitFamily
FitFamily is an important component of the overall Air Force fitness and health initiative. Air Force Child / Youth Programs (CYP) and Fitness Centers have partnered to promote the importance of healthy lifestyle choices and encourage Air Force Families to be active together. The FitFamily website provides resources, ideas and goal setting tools to help Air Force Families be active, make healthy nutrition choices and have fun in an effort to promote overall wellness.
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One Page At A Time
Air Force Child and Youth Programs (FMP) is pleased to offer guidance for the youth One Page at a Time Program. This program provides a structured self-improvement activity that supports children’s education and leisure skills development.
Space Camp
Apply to Fly! Experience the excitement of Space Exploration at Space Camp.
The Air Force Space Camp (AFSC) is a residential 6-day program that shows youth ages 12-18 firsthand what it takes to be an astronaut. Activities include simulated Space Shuttle missions, training simulators, rocket building and launches, scientific experiments, and lectures on the past, present, and future of space exploration. The camp is held the last week of July. Participants are selected through a competitive application process. More information is available at www.spacecamp.com.
Teen Aviation
Air Force Services' Aviation Camp is an awesome opportunity for teens to have a glimpse of life at the United States Air Force Academy. Aviation Camp is offered annually the first week in June. Flying in a Cessna 145 is just one of the highlights at this camp. Participants are selected through a competitive application process. Only teens entering their sophomore or junior year of high-school may apply. |
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Family and Teen Talent Contest
As part of the Nell Buckley Performing Arts Series, AFPC/SVPY, in conjunction with AFPC/SVPCE, conducts an annual Air Force Worldwide Family & Teen Talent Contest. This program reinforces creative expression and helps our youth gain a better appreciation of the performing arts. The base-level program also provides a positive family experience for the entire base population.
Youth Of the Year
Air Force Youth Programs are affiliated with the National Boys and Girls Clubs of America (B&GCA). As affiliates, we participate in the B&GCA premier youth recognition program, the Youth of the Year. The program begins annually with each base Youth Programs selecting a Youth of the Year. To compete locally, nominees submit personal essays and information packages describing their involvement with home and family, moral character, community, school, service to club, and life goals. If selected as the base Youth of the Year, the young person then competes at state level. Each state winner may have the opportunity to compete in regional competition. This year six military youth will have the opportunity to compete at the national level. All installation winners are recognized by Air Force Personnel Center, Directorate of Services, Child and Youth Programs.
Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard teen dependents can apply for this honor as well for work they have done in their communities. Click here for the application.
Teen Leadership Camp
Air Force Personnel Center, Directorate of Services, Youth Programs is excited to offer the AF Teen Leadership Camp. The camp is held at the University of Texas at San Antonio, during July each year. Be on the lookout for additional information and application requirements. Teens will engage in team building, classroom workshops, and leadership activities while experiencing college campus living.
Camps Your Installation May Offer
Creativity through Cooking:
The goal of the Creativity through Cooking Camp is to expand and assist youths’ understanding of the nutritional value of food using USDA guidelines, and support sensible eating habits, while designing and preparing a meal. This year, the staff of “Chef-K” will focus on typical American fare throughout the U.S. regions. We’ve added more fun activities involving nutrition and serving sizes based on the Federal guidelines.
Participants learn to prepare traditional US entrees that are tasty and nutritious including jambalaya, picnics, and South Western fiesta. The program also focuses on the use of seasonal ingredients so participants will create salads, and prepare fresh fruit. The teaching curriculum includes: history, culture, selection of ingredients and a variety of cooking techniques. www.chef-k.com
Additional Camps/Special Programs that may be available at your Installation!
The Air Force Services strives to provide youth with opportunities to enhance their community, job, leisure, physical, and cognitive skills development. As such, a variety of week-long camps and other special programs are offered at installation level. Please check with your local Youth Program to find out which camps are offered at your installation. A few of the programs that support our youth are mentioned below:
4-H Clubs:
 4-H'ers across the nation are responding to challenges every day in their communities and their world. 4-H is the nation's largest youth development organization with more than 6 million 4-H youth in urban neighborhoods, suburban schoolyards and rural farming communities. As the youth development program of the nation's 109 land-grant universities and the Cooperative Extension System, 4-H fosters an innovative, "learn by doing" approach with proven results. For more information visit:
https://www.4-h.org/
Sideline Sports:
The goal of the Sideline Sports Camp is to expand and assist youths' understanding of non-traditional sports, improve physical fitness and develop an appreciation for those sports as a lifelong skill. Youth are instructed on and demonstrate the ability to successfully participate in a variety of non-traditional sports that are preselected by the Installation coordinator. Some of the sports offered through this camp are: Ultimate Frisbee, Water Polo, Badminton, Fencing, Water-Polo, Team Handball, Lacrosse, Team Building, and Bocce Ball. Youth are also provided with team building activities.
Performing Arts:
The Air Force Services Child and Youth Programs partner's with the Missoula Children's Theatre International Tour project. This opportunity provides military youth of all ages with the opportunity to participate in the performing arts. The goal of the Performing Arts Specialty Camp is to expand performing arts experiences and programs throughout the Child and Youth Program flight by offering hands-on experiences at select installations. Children and youth participate in a variety of performing arts to include: dance, drama and music. A focal point of the performing arts specialty camps is the introduction of support of participant interest in performing arts through rehearsals, workshops and up to two (2) public performances on the final day of training/camp. www.mctinc.org/
America's Kids Run
America's Armed Forces Kids Run held annually in May is a running event for youth and adults. The program is designed for youth to have fun with their families and be introduced to the lifetime fitness activities of walking and running. www.americaskidsrun.org
Y.E.S (Youth Employment Skills):
The Youth Employment Skills (YES) is a youth volunteer/internship program is funded by the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) and jointly administered by AFAS and Air Force Airman and Family Services Flight. This program, being offered at select installations affords high school aged dependents of Active Duty Air Force members an opportunity to learn valuable work skills while having a positive impact on their base communities. Program participation incentives are in the form of dollar credits for grant funding. The YES Program allows all certified and enrolled high school students to "bank" volunteer dollar credits toward their postsecondary education/training at a rate of $4 per hour volunteered in an on-installation position. Students may accumulate as much as 250 hours during their high school education, for a potential $1000 (maximum). In addition, the participating installation Youth Program will "bank" base community credits at a rate of $2 for every hour volunteered per student, up to a maximum of $10,000 per program year. For purposes of this program, "program year" is defined as the 12 month period beginning 1 June through 31 May of each year. See your local Youth Programs Director for more information. https://www.afas.org/Community/YESProgram.cfm
Operation Purple Camps
The National Military Family Association's Operation Purple camps are a time for having fun, making friends, and reminding military kids that they are the Nation's youngest heroes. The mission of the Operation Purple program is to empower military children and their families to develop and maintain healthy and connected relationships, in spite of the current military environment. They do this through a variety of means, including the healing and holistic aspect of the natural world. The program is joint or "purple"— and open to children and families of active duty, National Guard or Reserve service members from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or the Commissioned Corps of the US Public Health Service and NOAA. The Operation Purple program includes camps for teens, family retreats at the national parks, and camps geared to address the needs of children and families of our nations wounded service members.
Visit
www.operationpurple.org to find out camp locations or to register.
Please direct questions regarding the Operation Purple program to OPC@militaryfamily.org.
State Camping Opportunities
Each year, funding is given through the 4-H Military Partnership and Operation Military Kids (OMK) grants to states who desire to offer camp opportunities to military youth. Locations, dates and age requirements vary. www.operationmilitarykids.org
Military HOMEFRONT
MilitaryHOMEFRONT is the Department of Defense website for official Military Community and Family Policy (MC&FP) program information, policy and guidance designed to help troops and their families, leaders, and service providers. Whether you live the military lifestyle or support those who do, you'll find what you need! https://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/
BGCA Programs (In addition to Youth of the Year)
BGCA has had along and proud partnership with the military. 460+ Military Youth Centers have benefited from this great partnership. All military youth centers worldwide are affiliated with BGCA. 530,000 + military youth served. BGCA has been our primary source of training for overseas professionals.
Keystone Clubs are the Boys & Girls Club Movement’s most dynamic teen program. It affords Air Force teens an opportunity to gain valuable leadership and service experience. They conduct activities in three areas: academic success, career exploration and community service. The Taco Bell Foundation for Teens sponsors the Keystone Club program as part of a multi-year teen initiative; a strategic partnership between the Foundation and BGCA provides Clubs with the tools and resources to create a positive place for teens as well as for kids.
Torch Clubs are chartered small-group leadership and service clubs for Air Force youth ages 11-13. A Torch Club is a powerful vehicle through which Club staff can help meet the special character development needs of younger adolescents at a critical stage in their development. Torch Club members learn to elect officers and work together to implement activities in four areas: service to Club and community, education, health and fitness and social recreation.
Power Hour: Making Minutes Count helps Air Force youth ages 6-12 become more successful in school by providing homework help and tutoring and encouraging members to become self-directed learners. The program kit includes a guidebook for homework helpers and tutors and charts for tracking and rewarding participants' progress.
For additional information concerning Boys and Girls Clubs of America programs and opportunities visit www.bgca.org.
Stop Bullying NOW!: The U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration has a cam-paign called Stop Bullying Now, which offers advice to kids, parents, school officials and others about steps they can take to address bullying. The theme is ?Take a Stand. Lend a Hand. Stop Bullying Now!? Their website has a page with games and cartoon webisodes to help kids learn about bullying and how to stop it. Another page was created especially for adults that includes resources about bullying awareness, prevention and intervention. These resources can be found at the following link: https://stopbullying.gov.
Free Tutoring Service: Get a tutor 24/7 when you sign up for tutor.com. The website offers free tutoring and homework help for military/dependents stationed anywhere in the world. Go to www.tutor.com/military to see if you are eligible for the program.
Military Kids Connect: The Department of Defense (DoD) launched a new website for children experiencing the challenges of military deployments.
The highly interactive website, www.MilitaryKidsConnect.org, was created by psychologists at DoD's National Center for Telehealth and Technology. It helps children of deployed parents cope with the stress, changing responsibilities, and concern for the safety of their parents.
The center, known as T2, developed the website with informative videos, educational tools, and engaging games and activities for three age groups: 6 to 8, 9 to 12 and 13 to 17. The site features monitored online social network forums for the groups to safely share their experiences with deployments.
MilitaryKidsConnect.org is the first DoD website to connect children in the widely separated active, reserve, and National Guard military communities.
The website has features that will help children, parents, and educators navigate the wide range of practical and emotional challenges military families must live with throughout the deployment cycle.
U.S. Small Business Administration
Did you know the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has an entire section devoted to helping young entrepreneurs? "Young Entrepreneurs Essential Guide to Starting Your Own Business!" is a free online course offered by the SBA to help young entrepreneurs get started. The course is self-paced, easy to use, and take only 30 minutes to complete. Encourage your youth to take the course now at: https://web.sba.gov/sbtn/registration/index.cfm?CourseId=82.
While online, make it a point to review the other SBA resources for youth: everything from "Summer Jobs +" to information on the student loan Income Based Repayment Plan. Visit www.sba.gov/young today!
OPERATION: MILITARY KIDS CAMPS
The Office of Secretary of Defense-Military Community and Family Policy
partnered once again with Dept of the Army to fund Operation: Military Kids
Camps across the Country. These camps are offered to a variety of ages with
a key focus being supporting youth throughout the deployment cycle.
Typically, they are led by the 4-H program in each state in collaboration
with their State OMK Team, of which many of our bases are a part.
CAMP CORRAL
In addition to these camping opportunities, Camp Corral offers a week of camp to youth of wounded or disabled service members and veterans. Ages range from 8-15 at nine locations across the country. Visit https://campcorral.org/ for more information and to register.
EXTENSION MILITARY HIGH ADVENTURE CAMPS
For teens ages 14-18, these camps are high adventure in nature. Travel
stipends are typically provided to assist teens in transportation to the
camp location. They occur in approximately 12 states. Visit
https://www.extension.purdue.edu/Adventure_Camps/ for links to each
respective camp location for their specific information and registration
process and deadlines.
See additional information for Military Teen Adventure Camps below....
Military Teen Adventure Camps: Spend time whitewater rafting, hiking, rock climbing, winter camping, skiing, backpacking, mountain biking, exploring the environment, running rope courses, geo-caching, or practicing wilderness survival skills. Participate in these activities with other military youth.
Military teens (14-18 years old) have an opportunity to participate in adventure camps. These high energy, high adventure, and high experience camps are planned across the United States from Alaska to Maine and from Colorado to Georgia as well as states in between. There are even opportunities for military teens in Europe. This is the perfect chance for teens to experience the outdoors as never before!
Each camp offers a unique outdoor experience that allows youth to build leadership, self-confidence, and teamwork skills while participating in activities like camp cooking and archery. Funding is available to assist with transportation costs.
Camps for youth with special needs (mental, physical, and emotional) are also planned in California, Ohio, and New Hampshire. There is something for everyone!
How to Register
If you want to join in the fun, check out the list of Camps by Date:
https://www.extension.purdue.edu/Adventure_camps/campsdate.html
or Camps by Location:
https://www.extension.purdue.edu/Adventure_camps/campsloc.html
Camps by Date are listed in the order they occur, while Camps by Location are listed alphabetically by the state in which they are offered. Camp dates, the number of openings, types of activities offered, and a brief camp description are included.
Click on the link for the camp of your choice to learn more about that opportunity and that camp's specific registration information. If you have questions about a particular camp, contact the person listed for each camp opportunity.
Please note that specific camp details, including dates, may change based on conditions and availability. Check the camp's website for the most current information.
Dedicated Camp Web Page URL https://www.extension.purdue.edu/Adventure_camps/campshome.html
NOTE: Funding for Military Teen Adventure Camps has been made available through a partnership between the Department of Defense, Office of Military Community & Family Policy and the United States Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food & Agriculture.
Additional Camps
This summer there are several camp opportunities that are free (or minimal
cost) for military youth, teens and families. Please see below for a list
of camps for military families.
OSD/OPERATION: MILITARY KIDS CAMPS:
https://www.4-hmilitarypartnerships.org/p.aspx?tabid=205
AIR FORCE RESERVE/AIR NATIONAL GUARD TEEN LEADERSHIP SUMMITS:
https://www.georgia4h.org/afrangteensummit/
NATIONAL MILITARY FAMILY ASSOCIATION: OPERATION PURPLE CAMPS
https://www.militaryfamily.org/our-programs/operation-purple/traditional-camp
s/
AMERICAN WANDERER SUMMER CAMP
https://www.rvcampforkids.com/
ISLAND LAKE CAMP
https://www.islandlake.com/
Did you know??? AF Youth Programs offers a variety specialty camps that
travel to AF bases each summer. Be sure to visit your local AF Youth Programs to find out what is being offered at your installation!
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