FMWR summer activity, job expo March 2

By Monica WoodFebruary 21, 2013

With the school year winding down and summer fast approaching, many parents are considering what their children will do this summer.

"Traditionally, social service organizations note a rise in reports of child neglect during the summer months due to parent's perception of a lack of appropriate and affordable supervision options available to them," said Leslie Watts, Family Advocacy Program prevention specialist at Army Community Service.

According to Watts, military families, due to high volume permanent change of station moves during the summer, are most susceptible to a lack of awareness of the wide variety of activities available locally during school breaks.

To mitigate these risks, Fort Sill Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation will host the Youth Summertime Activities and Job Expo March 2 from 1-4 p.m. at Rinehart Fitness Center. The expo, which precedes April, Child Abuse Prevention Month and Month of the Military Child, offers parents many summertime options for children and targets teens by offering assistance with job opportunities and college application requirements.

Watts said the free event, which is open to the public, will have four main areas of focus for children 3 to 19 years old and their parents: summer fun, education preparation, volunteer opportunities and job opportunities.

"This is a win-win because parents can reduce their stress by planning ahead financially and time wise, with an idea of activities to ensure their child can get plugged in over the summer months," she said. "It's also great for parents who have their children over the summer months and aren't sure what to do with the kids during the day while they are at work. This expo can make the summer worry free and stress free so parents can focus on spending quality time with their child."

More than 35 organizations will man table displays representing on and off-post, free and fee-for-service activities, colleges, day and resident camps, volunteer activities and teen employers.

"Sometimes parents get to the end of summer and have the regrets of I wish I would have done more with the kids or I wish I would have signed him or her up for that camp," said Watts. "The intent of the expo is to offer a multitude of things to parents: including giving them the opportunity to plan ahead for the summer; to plan within their budget since many of the activities are free; and to keep their kids active because active kids are healthy kids."Watts said "We're hoping parents don't just leave their kids at home and come to the expo; we want them to come together so they can all get information on the different programs available. It's a great opportunity for parents and their children to decide on opportunities they can share, volunteer opportunities and what the children are interested in."

The expo offers a multi-level approach to youth wellness with fitness programs to keep a child fit during the summer months. "A lot of children's fitness revolves around sports and when they are out of school for the summer they aren't involved in those sports so several sports programs will be there and FitKids of Southwest Oklahoma," she said.

According to Watts, today's youth have less social connection than children in the past. "There is a noticeable reduction in social connection for youth, not just in the summer but all the time because they have more screen time at home and aren't as likely to get out and get involved. The expo offers various opportunities for youth to make friends and be engaged and productive."

Watts said bored children or kids with nothing to do are more likely to get in trouble with Mom or Dad or get in trouble with the law. "So absolutely keeping the kids' active is good for their health, their minds, their social skills and good for their relationship with their parents," she said.

One of the top concerns of educators and literacy experts regarding an extended break is the likelihood of students experiencing summer set-back upon return to studies in the fall.

"I think parents want to do things like this they just don't know what's available or where to find it. This expo will be a very good sampling of what's available during the summer months between Wichita Falls and Oklahoma City. This is all in one place with camps, volunteer opportunities and job opportunities," she said.

Parents and children will have the opportunity to ask questions and gather information, including applications, directly from a representative of the organization providing the activity.

"When you are active and involved, whether it is with an activity or by volunteering, it's good for you, good for your community, good for your family and also good for your resume," said Watts. "So when these kids try to get jobs in the next couple years they will have experience for their resumé or their college application. They will be able to make an impact," she said.

Some of the showcasing organizations include Cameron University and Midwestern State University, Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Museum of the Great Plains, Fort Sill Hired Program and volunteer programs from on post and the United Way.

Organizations will offer information on sports camp, learning camps, activity camps and one-day events as well as reoccurring events.

"There's something for everyone," said Watts.

There will be sports and activities, art, volunteer opportunities and the Lawton Family YMCA.

Lawton Public Schools will be there with different educational opportunities and the free lunch program. LATS will be there with their summer offerings and schedules. Libraries will be there with summer reading programs, and colleges will be there looking for students, she said.

In addition to the activities, there will be agencies coming to talk about specific job opportunities for teens. The Hired program, National Guard and the Reserve will be there. Also manning booths at the expo are Child, Youth and School Services, Outdoor Recreation, and Fort Sill's golf pro, who will offer a golf camp during summer.

CYSS will also highlight the Month of the Military Child activities during April and spring break opportunities.

The event is open to the public and there is no cost. For more information, call Watts at 442-3779.