FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii (Aug. 6, 2010) - Some of the recommendations and comments heard during this year's Pacific Youth Leadership Forum, or YLF, were "they are paying attention to us," "giving more publicity for youth center activities," and "providing wireless capability in all youth centers."

YLF, sponsored and hosted by Installation Management Command-Pacific Region, was held July 12-17 at the Hawaii Army National Guard Regional Training Institute at Bellows Air Force Station.

This year's theme was "Communicating In Our Digital World."

The forum is a key component of the IMCOM Youth Services Program. YLF helps teens throughout the Pacific develop skills to become successful and contributing members of their communities.

Skills acquired during the weeklong learning experience included leadership and character development, confidence and esteem building, teamwork in service-learning projects, enhancement of technology skills, and youth advocacy.

"We have assembled together approximately 32 teens who are representative of some our best and brightest Army youth from Hawaii, Alaska, Kwajalein Atoll, Japan and, for the first time, Korea," said Mark Ryales, region Child, Youth Program specialist and YLF program coordinator. "They have come together in a collaborative partnership to discuss teen issues and concerns at their installations."

Almost all the attendees are youth leaders in their high schools, belong to installation teen panels, or are involved in community service. For example, Russell Kidomaru, from U.S. Army-Korea, attends Seoul American High School, is president of the Keystone Club, is the 2010 Asia-Pacific Youth of the Year, and represented Korea on Army Teen Panel at the Pentagon.

Kidomaru would like to have teens empowered and have more influence in the decision-making process. "Youth would like an opportunity to voice opinions about choosing new youth center staff," Kidomaru said. "The current youth center hiring process involves CPO (civilian personnel office) and an all-adult team making hiring decisions."

"Allow youth to interview/evaluate candidates," Kidomaru said. "Teens should be aware of staff employee probation periods, and should voice concerns via ICE (Interactive Customer Evaluation), suggestion box, etc., to the CYSS (Child, Youth and School Services) coordinator."

Kidomaru would also would like to have a youth center orientation briefing for all newly arrived teens; large, standardized youth center logos Armywide for easy recognition; and more publicity for youth center activities.

Michael Spencer represented USAG-Japan at Camp Zama and is a senior at Zama American High School. He is vice-president of his school's National Honor Society and coaches youth soccer.

Spencer would like to have more team-building activities focusing on development of leadership skills and teamwork. He also wants to see more facilities designed specifically for teens to make youth activities and programs more attractive.

"More kids would interact and new friendships would be easier to make," Spencer said.

Spencer and Kidomaru agreed that facilities need to be constantly upgraded and improved to make programs and activities more attractive and appealing. Teens can take responsibility by working on simple upgrades like painting and cleaning and reporting equipment that is not operating properly.

"For at least a year after attending the YLF, each participant commits to work with their installation Youth Leadership Forum, to share what they've learned in their week here, to implement action plans, train peers and mentor younger youth," Ryales explained.