Center keeps base youth safe, offers recreation options

  • Published
  • By Chrissy Cuttita
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Statistics from the Afterschool Alliance show the hours between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. as peak hours for juvenile crime and Tyndall's Youth Center is doing everything to make sure their youth are not a statistic. 

Recently the center added teens to their Friday night open recreation program hours of 3 to 9 p.m., with an additional hour just for them from 9 to 10 p.m.. This is in addition to the operating hours of 3-7 p.m., Monday through Thursday. On Saturday the center is open for preteens, ages 9-12, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., and teens from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
"We want to try and reach the teens right when they get out of school," said Joe McLeer, Tyndall Youth Center Director. 

Last week teens decorated their new room in the center with furniture and a grand opening is set for Nov. 14. Some of the furniture was donated by the base' s Sand Dollar Inn while other items were purchased through AETC funding. 

"When you are a teen you want to hang out with your own age group," said Ms. McLeer. "Their likes and dislikes, and conversations are different from younger children. A sense of belonging for all youth is our goal. " 

It is a self-help project creating this teen space and the teen council enjoyed making decisions about what would make the center comfortable for them. "Now we have our own T.V.," said Nick Wheeler, 17, teen council member. "I just hope it is not just me and a few others that will come but others will join us being that we have our own separate space." 

Nick and his friends helped design the space and are looking forward to splashing black paint and some colorful lighting on the walls.
"It gives them a place to hang out right in their neighborhood," said Ms. McLeer who stressed the importance of having a place for youth after school that they don't have to drive to. 

More than 14 million school age children (25 percent) are on their own after school. Among them are more than 40,000 kindergarteners according to The Afterschool Alliance. 

Whether it is video games, pool, internet or any of the planned activities offered each day such as cooking, crafts, or physical activity, there is always something to do at the Youth Center. 

"We provide a safe environment where children can foster new friendships while having fun," said Ms. McLeer. "With a fully-trained staff and modern facility, the youth center offers a lively environment that will interest kids and reassure parents." 

The Youth Center's Open Recreation program membership cost $30 a year or $15 a quarter. Teens and staff will decide on activities to do at the recreation center so that every night has a main event like an X-box Tournament, flag football or a friendly game of pool. Food and beverages are available at the recently redecorated by youth snack bar. There is a meal deal on Fridays for $3 and snacks are always available for purchase.
The Youth Center's calendar is full of events. For more information call them at 283-4366 or stop by bldg 3223.