Our goal is to provide year-round recreational activities in an environment that is safe yet allows youth an opportunity to make choices, develop friendships and grow socially, as well as emotionally. A variety of activities are available for dependent youth (age 5 - 18) of active duty/retired military and Department of Defense personnel. Some programs may be limited to military dependents only.

Membership

Being a Youth Center member entitles the participant to membership privileges, such as discounted Youth Sports fees, free tutoring for grades 5-10, and an assortment of programs geared towards ages 9-18.

Annual memberships based on the "Military Cycle: October through September are available. Parents may register their youth at the Youth Center.

Youth Center Membership Fees:

• Annual Membership Fee: $120
• 9-month Membership Fee: $90
• 6-month Membership Fee: $60
• 3-month Membership Fee: $30
• Monthly Membership Fee: $10

For more information, please call 722-0502/0505.

The YES program is designed to help teens of active duty military learn the responsibilities related to jobs and careers. The program also provides cash for college with the amount earned determined by the hours that an individual contributes to the program.

We have several mentoring groups that are available for the teens to become a part of and enjoy while they help children participate in reading, crafts, plays, cheerleading, computers, and much more!

School Age Program

The School Age Program provides before and after school care geared toward youth whose parents work full time. The Wayne County School System provides bus service, to and from the Youth Center, Meadowlane Elementary, and Greenwood Middle schools.  The program conducts educational and recreational programming for youth 6 to 12 years of age and proudly boasts their accreditation by the National School-Age Care Alliance. Cost is based upon total family income. USDA quality meals and snacks are provided while youth are in attendance at no additional cost. If you are interested in enrolling your child in our program contact the School Age Program Coordinator at 919-722-0396. 

Forms needed for enrollment into the School Age Program are available below for your convenience. When enrolling your child please bring the completed forms along with the child's birth certificate and immunization record. At present, all forms are required to have original signatures on them so we cannot accept forms that have been copied and emailed.

• AF Form 1181 - AF Youth Flight Program Patron Registration
• DD Form 2652 - Application for DoD Child Care Fees
• SAP Before and After School Agreement
• SAP Child/Youth Guidance Policy
• SAP Arrival/Departure/Transportation Agreement
• SAP Safety Agreement
• SAP Internet Use Permission Form
• SAP Priority Enrollment Policy

Additional Forms Required:
Birth Certificate
Immunization Record

Teens, ages 13 - 17 years old, spend many hours doing community service, mentoring younger children at the Youth Center, participating in fund raisers and act as one of the steering groups for programs and activities in the Youth Center.

The Torch Club functions much like the Keystone Club and is for youth 9 - 12 years old. The Torch Club provides preteens the opportunity to be involved in determining upcoming activities, learning about teamwork and community service.

Teaching Responsible Adolescents in Leadership. This is an outdoor adventure program for teens. It encourages team building, positive experiences and has at least one outdoor activity per month. The teens do all their own planning for this program with guidance from their advisors.

This program is for eligible youth center users who would like to explore the U.S. Air Force Academy as a possible choice for college. Teens will participate in a wide variety of outdoor and classroom activities during a six day camp period.

Preteen Summer Camps 2010

• CAMPS BROCHURE

Camps will run from 7:30 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday, with the exception of the first week of July when there is a holiday. Camper fees are $50 per week for Youth Center members, ages 9-12; $60 for nonmembers. DePLAYment tags may be used for June and July sessions.

14 June: Fine Arts Week – Camp will focus on introduction to a variety of higher-level art mediums. We will explore sculpting, acrylic paints, pastels & charcoals. Week will begin with a trip to the Arts Council of Wayne County for an educational tour of the grounds, including exploring the 2.5 acres art garden.

21 June: Shutterbugs – This camp will assist youth with refining their photography skills. This week will include several mini-field trips to allow youth to explore a variety of techniques and lighting conditions.

28 June: Green Friends – Camp focus is on assisting youth in understanding the importance of how living more “green” impacts our world. Camp will include a trip to water conservation site and/or local recycling center

6 July: Creative Me – Camp will focus on a single art project that will be worked on throughout the week.

12 July: Cooking Escapade – Youth will have the opportunity to utilize a budget to select three projects to accomplish during the week. They will complete five cooking projects and will take a shopping trip to the commissary utilizing the budget.

19 July: Mad Scientists – Youth will explore earth related science. Camp will include a trip to Imagination Station in Wilson. 

25 July: Fitness Adventures – Each day we will explore the basic elements of a specific sport. Sports explored include: basketball, softball, soccer, volleyball and bowling. Camp will include a trip to the bowling center.

2 August: Rhythm Seekers – Youth will spend the week teaching one another to dance the Jerk.

8 August: Musical Innovations – Youth will explore American Roots music. They will have the opportunity to create a music video utilizing some form of Roots music. Camp will include a trip to the “New Harmonies” Smithsonian Interactive Exhibit at the Arts Council of Wayne County.

16 August: Crafty Adventures - Camp will focus on crafting. Projects will include beading/paint activities and two sewing projects. Camp will include a trip to the fabric store for fabric and supplies.

The Youth of the Quarter/Year Program is one of many available through the center's affiliation with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Through daily interactions with the youth, program staff encourage and reinforce traits and values such as caring, honesty, fairness, responsibility and respect as they work towards character development. Each quarter, youth have an opportunity to demonstrate their achievements in home and family leadership, moral character, community, school leadership and service, life goals and obstacles overcome. Quarterly winners compete for SJAFB Youth of the Year and a chance to compete at higher levels to include regional and national competitions. The rewards of the program are vast, from personal growth and the opportunity to represent the base community to college scholarships.

Air Force Youth Programs and Community Center Programs coordinate the Congressional Award, a non-competitive program which recognizes excellence in initiative, achievement, and service among young persons ages 14-23. Youth are challenged to set goals in:

• Voluntary Public Service
• Personal Development
• Physical Fitness
• Expedition or Exploration

Sign up for WINK: A Youth Sponsorship Program
Are you PCSing to or from Seymour Johnson AFB with children? Youth ages 5-18 may sign up for a pen pal and learn about the base before your arrival. (U18 with parent's permission)

Make new friends
Connect with kids your age

Moving? Sign up for a pen pal to learn about your new base
Youth Sponsor/Pen Pal request form