Fort Belvoir, Va. (May 8, 2014) - About 20 teens in National Guard and Reserve Families spent last weekend on Fort Belvoir, meeting other military teens, getting introduced to Fort Belvoir programs and activities, and learning leadership skills during the first Teen Leadership Weekend hosted by the Virginia National Guard Youth Program.
"The purpose of the Teen Leadership Weekend is to bring together National Guard and Reserve teens and introduce them to the many resources available to them on Fort Belvoir," said Allison Mecadon, child and youth coordinator for the Virginia National Guard Child and Youth Program.
"National Guard and Reserve youth do not always have access to resources, due to being geographically dispersed throughout the state. This weekend will give them an opportunity to meet with other youth with similar experiences," she added.
On Saturday morning, the National Guard and Reserve youth meet with other teens from the Fort Belvoir Youth Center to kayak at Tompkins Basin and go on a nature scavenger hunt.
"It's good to get out," said Mei Cuijet, 15, a Marine Corps dependent, as she searched for insects and plants with friends during the scavenger hunt. "You get to interact with other kids your age and you get to meet new people. You come out of your comfort zone."
Later on, the teens presented a fashion show at the Youth Center and participated in late-night bowling before staying overnight for a Youth Center lock-in.
"It's something different than what I usually do on the weekends -- come out here with my sisters and have some fun," said Elijah Minor, 17, a Navy dependent.
On Sunday, the teens visited the USO Warrior and Family Center to learn leadership skills and resiliency techniques from Master Resilience Trainers. They also took a healthy living class, provided by Operation Military Kids, which included learning to make easy, healthy meals and stay active.
"It's a great opportunity for us to get our kids on post and then team up with a lot of the kids here that go to the Youth Center already," Mecadon said.
June Haynes, 16, an Army dependent, said she enjoyed spending time with other military children, who understand what life is like in a military Family.
"There are civilian kids who don't really understand what being in the military is about. I like coming to these camps to meet other military kids," she said.
The Virginia National Guard Youth Program partnered with several organizations to make the weekend possible, including the Army Reserve Family Programs, the Fort Belvoir Youth Center, the USO Warrior and Family Center, and Fort Belvoir Outdoor Recreation. Operation Military Kids funding provided food for the weekend.
"Everybody's been really great about partnering with us and really accommodating," Mecadon said. "We want it to be an ongoing partnership in doing things with Fort Belvoir since there are Reserve units and Guard units on post."
For more information on The Virginia National Guard Youth Program, visit www.facebook.com/VANGYouth Program or email Mecadon at Allison.e.mecadon.ctr@mail.mil.
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