STUTTGART, Germany - Parents dread hearing "I'm bored" from their children. But this summer, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation will offer plenty of activities here to keep the young ones busy.
"We're expanding and enhancing our summer programs," said Suzanne King, the U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart Child and Youth Services coordinator. "This summer we're offering golf, tennis and flag football, in addition to soccer," along with other Army Family Covenant-related activities.
The golf and tennis camps will have two sessions: one for 8-12 year-olds, another for youths 13-18. The flag football camp will be for 8-12 and 13-15 year olds.
"We're also trying to keep the costs low," said King. The summer sports camps, with the exception of golf, will cost $20. Golf camp will be $40. CYS is looking to promote youth fitness this summer through its sports camps.
A baseball clinic will be held July 21-22, thanks to the Boys and Girls Club of America and Major League Baseball, said King. Coach Ralph Rago will teach both youth and coaches' sessions. The youth sessions will focus on skills development and sportsmanship. Coaches will learn coaching strategies, skills and drills, and sportsmanship.
"And we're offering Fit and Fun, a program to get youths moving, from June 1 to Aug. 14," said King. The Stuttgart-only program is aimed at youths preschool-aged to high school seniors.
"Youths will earn one point for every 30 minutes of physical activity, such as walking the dog, SKIES class or sports, or skateboarding.
"They will earn bonus points for participating in CYS programs. For example, they will earn five points for taking a monthly SKIES class," said King. "We will also have fit and fun activities throughout the summer, such as yoga class and Jump Rope for Heart."
King said the earned points can be put toward prizes such as water bottles, hats and gym bags. Point cards will be available at all CYS offices and activities.
Although the Patch and Panzer Summer Camps are already full, Kelley and Robinson Barracks Summer Camps are still open. These camps are for students in first through fifth grades. The fees are income-based.
"The middle school camp has spaces at Patch and Panzer," said King. For this weekly camp, a student must have completed six, seventh or eighth grade. Campers can expect to explore Germany with field trips to cities such as Munich and Frankfurt.
Ninth through 12th-graders will go to amusement parks such as Europa Park, Holiday Park and Warner Brothers, she added. These field trips are also available to middle school campers.
CYS will offer a free babysitter's training class Aug. 18-21 using the 4-H curriculum. Participants must be 13 or older and CYS registered. King said once certified, the kids can go on the CYS babysitters' referral list.
CYS will host a Stuttgart Youth Newcomers Orientation for youths who have just arrived to the community. The free program is for sixth-graders and up. "We have teens who have volunteered to show newcomers around post and downtown. They will learn how to use the public transportation system, the best places to shop, where to get the best doner kebab - the cool places from a kid's perspective," said King.
Dates for the orientation are June 19-20, July 17-18 and Aug. 14-15.
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