Youth Center offers a variety of programs Published Aug. 31, 2017 By Mark Wyatt 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – With children heading back to school, the Hanscom Youth Center, affiliated with the Boys and Girls Club of America, offers a wide variety of after-school programs for children ages 9 to 18 years old. “The Hanscom Youth Center offers children programs and activities throughout the year to foster youth development in a number of core curriculum areas,” said Colleen Davis, Youth Center program director. “Each program we run is fun-filled for members to participate in.” Programs include an arts club, education/career development, character/leadership development through the Torch and Keystone Clubs, health and life skills as well as sports and recreation. The cost to join is $25 per year and registration is ongoing. “Hanscom children are provided with opportunities to develop their physical, social, emotional and cognitive abilities through achievement, leadership, enjoyment, friendship and recognition,” Davis said. “The Youth Center offers children a safe environment with resources and support to help our youth create great futures.” On Sept. 9, Hanscom Youth Programs will celebrate children during the Boys and Girls Club of America Day for Kids from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Youth Center. According to the Boys and Girls Club website at www.bgca.org/get-involved/day-for-kids, Day for Kids, recognized nationally Sept. 16, is an initiative that invites members of the community to join the BGC in making a difference for kids. Another event the center will host in September is a weekend event at Tree Top Adventures and Purgatory Chasm State Reservation Sept. 23 and 24. To learn more about this overnight event, contact the Youth Center at 781-225-6043. The center’s director spoke about when deciding on programming, center personnel consider what youth want. “Clubs are based off of the interests of the youth,” she said, adding that her own children were members more than 20 years ago. “The Youth Center is intended to offer positive alternatives for children at Hanscom Air Force Base.” The Youth Center is open to all youth on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 2:30 to 6 p.m., Wednesday from 12:30 to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. The Youth Center is open to those members 13 and older only on Friday from 7 to 10:30 p.m. and Saturday from 6 to 10:30 p.m. On Saturdays, the Youth Center staff invites families to come and enjoy the center together. “Family members are welcome to come to the Youth Center on Saturdays to play together in the gymnasium or participate in any of the other offerings we have,” Davis said. Pre-teens ages 11 to 13 are encouraged to get involved in Torch Club. Members of this club take part in service-learning experiences that help meet special character development needs of younger adolescents. Davis boasts that the past several Massachusetts Military Youth of the Year have come through Hanscom’s Youth Center and the Keystone Club, a teen leadership group for ages 13 to 18. The Keystone Club focuses on four areas: academic success, career preparation, community service and engaging teens. With the guidance of an advisor, members aim to have a positive impact on other members, the club and community. “There is an opportunity to receive a $5,000 college scholarship through this program,” Davis said. “Members of this club are provided tools and the fundamental skills to support growth and progress as they graduate high school.” For additional information, Davis encourages families to stop by and speak to staff about the Youth Center. For further information about the Youth Center, visit https://www.hanscomfss.com/YouthCenter.asp or “like” the Hanscom AFB Youth Programs Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Hanscom-AFB-Youth-Programs.