FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- (Editor's note: This article is the first in an eight-part series featuring the SKIES Unlimited program, which is designed to enrich military children's lives by expanding their knowledge, allowing them to explore and learn new skills.)
Fort Drum youths are stretching, tumbling and leaping their way to learning the fundamentals of dance and gymnastics through the SKIES Unlimited program.
SKIES Unlimited, which stands for Schools of Knowledge, Inspiration Exploration and Skills, offers gymnastics, ballet, tap and jazz classes for military children, ages 2 to 18.
In gymnastics, children learn proper technique, form and instructors help with their flexibility and strength.
While boys and girls learn skills to improve their dancing and tumbling, they also build self-confidence, said Lacey Shipp, SKIES Unlimited instructor.
"(Gymnastics) is more than just physical (abilities); it's mental too," she said.
Confidence is another trait SKIES instructors help children build during class, Shipp said, adding that while some of the students in her classes have "no fear," others need encouragement and reassurance.
One of those children was Tristan Davis, 9, who has been taking gymnastics since September.
"(Tristan) likes the class … (and) she definitely has more confidence," said her mother, Cassondra Davis. "She's excited (to learn new things)."
Tristan was excited to learn how to do a cartwheel, Davis added.
"All the little kids would do stuff like that on the playground, and now she's like 'I can do them too!'" she said. "Tristan is really happy about that."
Similar to the gymnastics program, the dance program teaches children the fundamental skills of form and technique, but also boosts dancers' confidence, according to Kerri Dagenais, dance instructor.
"Dance teaches (children) socialization (skills)," she said. "Dance allows them to progress and that makes them feel good about themselves. It helps them develop individually and in a group."
Dagenais, who has been teaching dance for 13 years, said she teaches in a way to help children feel good about themselves.
"You don't have to be a skinny ballerina," she said. "Dance is for all body types."
SKIES Unlimited offers several classes: Gymminy Crickets for parents and children 2-3; Gym Mites for children ages 4 to 5; Guynastics for boys 6 to 18; and Gymnastics levels 1-3 for children ages 5 to 18. SKIES Unlimited offers ballet, tap, jazz and lyrical classes for children ages 3 to 18.
For more information about upcoming SKIES Unlimited classes and schedules, call 772-0629 or visit Fort Drum's Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation website at www.drum-mwr.com.
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