Youth programs take "I'm bored" out of summer

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Randi Norton
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  "I'm bored!" "There's nothing to do!" "I don't feel like it!"

If those are phrases you've been hearing from your kids now that school's out, you might want to send them to the base youth center.

The youth center offers a huge range of activities for children of all ages, kindergarten through 12th-grade. From educational to physical programs, there's something for everybody, whether a child is there all day or just an hour.

"We're an affiliate of the Boys and Girls Club of America," said Dawn Thompson, youth programs director. "So, we run a lot of their programming."

Summer Adventure and Play program has various camps like soccer, tennis, archery and computer Web design. The program also has the Missoula Children's Theater coming August 13-18 to perform "The Little Mermaid."

And what good is a summer vacation if you can't take a trip? The youth center coordinates with local and regional parks and museums like Old Mill State Park, Minn., and the Children's Museum at Yonker Farms in Fargo, N.D.

"The field trips are just something that's fun and educational for the kids," said Ms. Thompson.

The youth center's programs don't just apply to the younger children. Programs like the Youth Employment Skills program gives teens the opportunity to volunteer at a number of establishments on base, like the Airman's Attic, and earn $4 an hour toward a college education.

The youth center is open from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and membership is $2 a month. With the membership, children receive discounted registration fees for various activities. Registration is still open for the many summer camps offered. For more information, contact the youth center at 747-3151.