Youth Center hosts Olympic day

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Stacey Fenton
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Warren's Youth Center held its first annual Olympic Day here June 24.

The event was part of the United States Olympic Committee's national program to encourage children's groups to gear up for the 2012 Olympics with monthly athletic themes. Olympic Day was the kickoff event of the program, which will end with a culminating event in June 2012.

"Programs are encouraged to not only provide physical fitness activities leading up to the 2012 Olympic games, but provide learning opportunities that highlight Olympic ideals such as sportsmanship, fair play, respect and perseverance," according to the Olympic committee's Web site, http://www.usoc.org.

The Olympic Day was held at the youth center, and included several different stations in which the age-specific groups rotated. The activities ranged from pushups, sit-ups, long jump and running to scooter races and hula hoop contests.

"We really wanted to foster a sense of fun and teamwork," said Annette Luthy, 90th Force Support Squadron chief of youth programs. "Everyone was a winner - the focus was on participation and having fun."

All children registered at the youth center participated. Children from the Boys and Girls Club and the rest of the Cheyenne community participated as well.

July's theme is "biking month," with the monthly event being a large group bicycle ride around the base.

The youth center has many opportunities for the children of Warren beyond the Olympic activities. During the summer, the center offers full day summer camp for five to 12-year-olds. There are also themed weekly camps for children to take part in; registered children are able to participate in two of these week-long sessions, which take place until August 19.

Next week's session is "Cheerleading Camp", and the week of July 11 through July 23 is "Movie-Making Camp." Each week ends with a culminating event that allows the children to demonstrate the skills they learned.

Warren's teens can visit the teen center, and participate in the teen programs on Friday and Saturday nights. There are also club opportunities; Torch Club for pre-teens and Keystone Club for teens.

Juniors and seniors in high school can participate in the Youth Employment Skills program, known as YES, in which they can learn basic work skills by helping an organization on base. For every hour of work they complete, they earn $4.00 toward college tuition.

The youth center's summer hours are 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The teen center's hours are 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays; and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays. Call 773-2564 with questions.