YONGSAN GARRISON, Republic of Korea -- Kids need to be kids sometimes. They need to go out of the boundaries where they can fully be kids, run around, be loud and playful, without the expectation to act like an adult. It doesn't mean they should behave rampantly. They also need chance to learn how to behave appropriately in public and to respect surroundings.
About forty 1st and 2nd graders from Seoul American Elementary School participated to the School Age Center Camp Adventure to Lotte World organized by U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan School Age Center, July 18.
Laneisha Cox, 1st grader at Seoul American Elementary School, expressed enthusiastic feeling about going on a field trip with her friends.
"I'm so excited!" Cox said. "I am going to have a lot of fun!"
It's not always easy to control excited children and keep them in groups when they all want to go several different places at the same time.
Young Eun Pak, School Age Service director, puts a lot of effort into the field trips they plan and take place. She was confident about kids' safety.
"In the individual group, I know how many children are in there with whom," Pak said. "I know which group needs what kinds of medication and I even have all permission slips with emergency contact numbers. Plus, all staff members have their phones and walkie-talkies handy."
Moreover, each child has stickers on their shirt, which has where they are from with the director's contact number and number for School Age Center printed on it. Therefore, in case they are lost, whoever finds the kid, knows where to give a call. Staffs also carry Field Trip SOP and nearby police station and hospital phone numbers because U.S. citizens have higher risk of becoming victims of terror.
As a result of all staffs' dedications, kids had a great time adventuring Lotte World without any accidents or issues.
Military children experience unique challenges related to Military life and culture. These include separation from parents and family reunification. Nicole French, Camp Adventure staff, highly evaluated her job as a great help and stress reducer for Army kids.
"I definitely think these kinds of events are important because they let children be free of whatever hard time they have in their lives," French said.
School Age Center and Child Youth Schools and Services develop lots of programs and provide kids with fun and meaningful time. For more information, reach CYSS through DSN 738-3406 or call SAC at DSN 736-5116.
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