FORT RUCKER, Ala. (August 13, 2015) -- The Fort Rucker Youth Center is one of the installation's gems for youth on post, and to showcase all it offers, the center gave parents and youth the opportunity to better get to know the facility and those who work there.
The center hosted an open house Aug. 7 to give parents and their children the chance to participate in some friendly competition, take a tour of the facility, and even get their hands on some snacks and refreshments.
"We wanted to hold an event for the new sixth graders to come and feel welcome and this is a good opportunity for that," said Felisa Matthews, lead program assistant for child, youth and school services. "This was a good chance for parents, too, to come out and get a view of what their children are doing in the afternoons. They can see what we have to offer here at the youth center."
As parents and children arrived for the open house, they started the evening off with refreshment and snacks in the form of snow cones, chicken wings, meatballs and nachos, and they were able to take a tour of the facility, showcasing its many amenities.
The facility offers sports and fitness activities, academic support, mentor support, arts and crafts activities, afterschool programs, leadership and life skill opportunities, as well as other leisure activities.
There is a gymnasium, complete with basketball court and rock-climbing wall, as well as a skate park located outside.
The center also boasts multiple activity rooms, including a youth technology lab where youth have computer access for learning and games with computer programs that can be used for activities, such as videography, digital photography and more.
There is also an arts and craft area that children can explore their creative side with sewing, paper and music crafts, as well as an interactive fitness area that children can use to keep up on their fitness. There is even an entertainment area that focuses on music, dance and song, where children can use amenities like the vocal booth, keyboard and digital drum pads, and more.
Children can also relax in the common area where they can enjoy refreshments, hang out with friends, play foosball or even play video games. There is even an area for homework, which offers homework assistance and educational activities, all of which is free to use for military families whose children are enrolled in the CYSS program. The program also provides opportunities for university and college field trips, as well as leisure field trips.
During the open house, not only were parents and children able to see everything the youth center has to offer, but they also got the chance to participate in some friendly competition with a youth-on-youth dodgeball tournament.
"I really like it here," said Jeremy Thompkins, military family member. "I like the people here and it's just fun to come here in the afternoons and have a place to hang out with my friends, and the people who work here are really nice, too."
The center's hours of operation are Mondays-Thursdays from 2:30-8 p.m., Fridays from 2:30-10 p.m. and Saturdays from 1-11 p.m.
Children must be enrolled in the CYSS program to visit the youth center, and all visitors, including parents, must sign in at the front desk for the children's protection.
For more information, call 255-2271 or 255-2260.
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