FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (April 8, 2010) - One of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation's newer programs has been steadily gaining popularity since it began a year ago.
EDGE! is an after-school enrichment program offered throughout the Army. Andrea Eads, EDGE! program coordinator, said this month's enrollment reached 80 children. The program has at least one after-school activity each day of the week, focusing on fitness, art or life skills.
"(Fort Leavenworth families) wanted there to be more options for kids after school, rather than just going to the centers," Eads said.
The program is free for children ages 11 to 18, and available to any child over age 6. Eads said fees for younger children vary based upon the length of the activity.
Using the FMWR facilities already on post, EDGE! programs were created. Crossfit for Kids is being offered at Harney Sports Complex, for example, and a horse class at the post stables. Eads said using post facilities helps introduce families to what is available to them and ensures the facilities are being utilized to the fullest.
"There was just the need to have more progression after school, to get more kids involved in CYS," Eads said. "Most of my kids do not already participate in School-Age Services or the Youth Center."
Eads said a youth program assistant would always be on site during the activities for safety. Some programs are taught by contractors through FMWR facilities. Children receive bus transportation from school to the program and get a snack.
"Buses make them easy," Eads said. "Once parents hear they can get picked up from school and taken directly to the facility, it makes them more popular."
All activities take place between 3-6 p.m. weekdays. Eads said activities that are the most popular are Crossfit for Kids, skeet shooting and Saddle Up!, so those are offered at least once a week.
During the month of April, "Curtain Call" is meeting weekly while children prepare to perform the musical, "Cinderella."
Eads said EDGE! activities will change over the summer when school is not in session to better accommodate families during vacations. Instead of offering classes weekly, they'll be in weeklong sessions so that if a family is out one week, children can start up a program the next week.
Eads is planning activities such as "Us and the Wild" to learn about camping, and is hoping to find Eagle Scouts to help teach children. "Let the Good Times Roll" will take children on group bike rides, and "Splash and Ski" will take children to a local lake to learn how to water ski, tube and wake board.
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