LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
With school out for the summer, the Lackland Youth Center is buzzing from its summer camps that began this week.
More than 500 children will pass through the doors of the center every day from dawn through beyond dusk to participate in a myriad of educational and fun activities.
"I'm very proud of what we've put together this summer," said Susan Brasel, youth center director since January who oversees a staff of 50. "I've looked at other bases and none of them can touch what we have happening.
"It was very well thought out by my staff before I got here; there are some real diverse camps."
In addition to several special camps, regular camps are ongoing all summer.
The school age group, for ages 5-12 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., has 400 enrolled with skating, swimming, bowling and field trips every week. The 9-12 year olds, with parents' permission, can leave the regular camp to sign out for open recreation from 3-7 p.m.
Open recreation includes swimming, pingpong, video games, community service projects, full service art and Torch Club meetings.
Teen camp, a trial last summer for ages 13-18, doubled enrollment to 24 this year. Morning sessions focus on educational activities and afternoons are for events like field trips, learning to lift weights properly at the Warhawk Fitness Center and golf lessons on Fridays.
Special funding by Air Education and Training Command made several camps at Lackland and Northwest Vista Community College available for the first time.
Two June camps at Lackland, Destination Imagination and All American Cooking, for ages 8-17 were filled the same day registration opened.
Youth ages 9-18 applied for 24 slots each in three weeklong camps taught by college professors at Northwest Vista. Secret agent camp in June, astronomy camp in July and guitar camp in August each drew more than 70 applicants. Selections were based on essays, community service, leadership and grades.
"We tried to diversify those selected," said Ms. Brasel. "The application process taught them resume writing, public speaking, community service and job skills. The process and all the camps help start preparing them for middle school and high school."
Other activities at the center for those not attending camp are summer basketball leagues, age 5-17, and the teen center. The teen center is open 3-9 p.m., when it's not unusual to have over 150 teens during that time.
The summer events conclude with a jamboree Aug. 20 as the center begins transitioning to its fall schedule.
"We won't be bored for the next 10 weeks," Ms. Brasel said. "It's the most exciting place to be on base - it's hopping from 6 in the morning to 9 at night.
"The kids and staff are happy, and so are the parents because they know their children are well taken care of."