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Home : News : News
JBSA News
NEWS | Sept. 14, 2016

JBSA Youth Center's School Age Program provides educational enrichment

JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs

A group of students are working on a science, technology, engineering and mathematics project in the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Youth Center’s education room after school.

The objective is to classify Pokemon characters using LEGOS and online images. So far, 719 out of 767 known Pokemon have been classified and the students are working diligently on catching the other 48 characters.

Instructing an enthusiastic class on a daily basis allows Faith McWatler, JBSA-Lackland Youth Center child youth program assistant, to give back to the military. Her child used to be a student at a military youth center.

“I am paying it forward by teaching service members’ children,” she explained.

STEM is one of several activities offered to youth ages 5-12 after school as part of the youth center’s School Age Program initiative.

The programs are affiliated with the Boys and Girls Club of America and 4H clubs.

Other school age programs provided at the youth center include:

• Power Hour – students earn points for completing educational activities and can redeem those points for play money.

• Drama – children are taught life skills and self-confidence to speak in front of their peers and people.

• Fine Arts – youth create art using acrylic painting, paper machetes and tile for display.

• Fun Whirl – children have the option to play video games following participation in educational activities.

Joanna Rios, JBSA-Lackland Youth Programs School Age coordinator, feels the program enriches youth’s education.

“The programs allow them to express themselves and become aware of what’s offered down the road,” she explained. “They may have never been exposed to fine arts, sewing and cooking, and when you see their eyes light up when they accomplish something by themselves it is gratifying.”

Rios also said the program is essential for military families who aim for their children to receive further educational enrichment after school.

Susan Brasel, JBSA-Lackland Youth Programs director, shared her sentiments.

“Our goal is to provide military families well-rounded children through education enrichment,” she said.

Department of Defense members can register their children for the School Age Program at any of the JBSA Youth Centers. Updated shot records must be provided at time of registration. Parents must also provide military pay stubs to determine the cost of registration for each child.

To contact the JBSA Youth Centers, call JBSA-Lackland at 671-2388, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Youth Center at 221-3502 or 221-4882, or JBSA-Randolph at 652-3298.

Parents can also visit the administrative front desk, at JBSA-Lackland from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., JBSA-Fort Sam Houston 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or JBSA-Randolph 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information, visit https://www.myjbsa-fss-mwr.com/nm/templates/?a=90.