Youth Center programs offer opportunities for fun, learning

  • Published
  • By Meredith March
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  The 66th Services Squadron's Youth Programs offers Hanscom's youth entertaining activities and educational programs year round through the School Age and Youth Center programs. Youth Programs, which is affiliated with and includes the Boys & Girls Club of America and 4-H curricula, provides opportunities for young people to develop "physical, social, emotional, and cognitive abilities and to experience achievement, leadership, enjoyment, friendship, and recognition," states the program's Web site, www.hanscomyouthprograms.com.

The School Age Program is available for children ages 5 to 12. The School Age program's Before and After School Care program offers a wide variety of activities and clubs for children to enjoy according to their interests. These offerings include woodworking, dance, cooking, nature, photography and fine arts, exotic foods and engineering clubs, as well as the Fit Factor, Power Hour homework and Book Adventure reading programs, said Robyn MacLeod, 66th Services Squadron School Age coordinator and Assistant Youth Programs director.

The Youth Center, available to youth ages 9 to 18, offers homework, leadership, self-esteem, arts and crafts, sports and fitness and 4-H sewing and cooking programs, as well as service and many other opportunities. "We also run instructional programs such as dance, piano, voice and guitar during the school year," Ms. MacLeod said.

Special programs for teens only are also available at the Youth Center. Beginning March 7 and continuing each Friday evening throughout the month, the Youth Center and 66th Security Forces Squadron will co-sponsor "Operation Night Hoops" basketball for teens ages 13 to 18. "Operation Night Hoops" will take place from 8 p.m. to midnight in the Youth Center gym.

In addition to these programs, Youth Programs offers popular sports and summer camps on base, Ms. MacLeod said.

Registration is currently open for upcoming sports seasons and summer camps.

Spring Soccer registration will close March 1. Participants can currently register for the U6 (ages 5 to 6) and U8 (ages 6 to 8) divisions. Cost is $35 per child.

Baseball registration will also close March 1. Participants currently can register for Smart Start (ages 3-5), Tee Ball (ages 5 and 6), Coach Pitch (ages 7 and 8), Minor League (ages 9 and 10) and Major League (ages 11 and 12) teams. Cost is $45 for Youth Center members and $70 for nonmembers. Cost for Start Smart is $50.

Camp Quest is a full day summer camp for children who have completed kindergarten to age 12. Camp Quest will be held at the School Age building from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, from June 23 to Aug. 29.

Camp Adventure is a summer program for kids ages 9 to 13, and will be held at the Youth Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, from June 23 to Aug. 29.

Both camps offer age-appropriate daily activities, including sports, arts and crafts, games and special activities such as swimming and bowling.

The camps' costs are based on total family income, and children's eligibility is based on Youth Programs' priority listing. Parents can register children by visiting the Youth Programs Web site at www.hanscomyouthprograms.com or the 66 SVS Web site at www.hanscomservices.com and filling out the DD Form 2606 on the School Age or Youth Center pages, Ms. MacLeod said.

For more information about the School Age program, call (781) 377-2858. For information about the Youth Center, or for sports and summer camp registration information, call (781) 377-3739.