Altus Youth Programs and Child Development Center

4-H Clubs:
4-H'ers across the nation are responding to challenges every day in their communities and their world. 4-H is the nation's largest youth development organization with more than 6 million 4-H youth in urban neighborhoods, suburban schoolyards and rural farming communities. As the youth development program of the nation's 109 land-grant universities and the Cooperative Extension System, 4-H fosters an innovative, "learn by doing" approach with proven results. For more information visit:
http://www.4-h.org/

Sideline Sports:
The goal of the Sideline Sports Camp is to expand and assist youths' understanding of non-traditional sports, improve physical fitness and develop an appreciation for those sports as a lifelong skill. Youth are instructed on and demonstrate the ability to successfully participate in a variety of non-traditional sports that are preselected by the Installation coordinator. Some of the sports offered through this camp are: Ultimate Frisbee, Water Polo, Badminton, Fencing, Water-Polo, Team Handball, Lacrosse, Team Building, and Bocce Ball. Youth are also provided with team building activities.

Performing Arts:
The Air Force Services Child and Youth Programs partner's with the Missoula Children's Theatre International Tour project. This opportunity provides military youth of all ages with the opportunity to participate in the performing arts. The goal of the Performing Arts Specialty Camp is to expand performing arts experiences and programs throughout the Child and Youth Program flight by offering hands-on experiences at select installations. Children and youth participate in a variety of performing arts to include: dance, drama and music. A focal point of the performing arts specialty camps is the introduction of support of participant interest in performing arts through rehearsals, workshops and up to two (2) public performances on the final day of training/camp. www.mctinc.org/

America's Kids Run

America's Armed Forces Kids Run held annually in May is a running event for youth and adults. The program is designed for youth to have fun with their families and be introduced to the lifetime fitness activities of walking and running. www.americaskidsrun.org

Y.E.S (Youth Employment Skills):
The Youth Employment Skills (YES) is a youth volunteer/internship program is funded by the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) and jointly administered by AFAS and Air Force Airman and Family Services Flight. This program, being offered at select installations affords high school aged dependents of Active Duty Air Force members an opportunity to learn valuable work skills while having a positive impact on their base communities. Program participation incentives are in the form of dollar credits for grant funding. The YES Program allows all certified and enrolled high school students to "bank" volunteer dollar credits toward their postsecondary education/training at a rate of $4 per hour volunteered in an on-installation position. Students may accumulate as much as 250 hours during their high school education, for a potential $1000 (maximum). In addition, the participating installation Youth Program will "bank" base community credits at a rate of $2 for every hour volunteered per student, up to a maximum of $10,000 per program year. For purposes of this program, "program year" is defined as the 12 month period beginning 1 June through 31 May of each year. See your local Youth Programs Director for more information. http://www.afas.org/Community/YESProgram.cfm

Military HOMEFRONT
MilitaryHOMEFRONT is the Department of Defense website for official Military Community and Family Policy (MC&FP) program information, policy and guidance designed to help troops and their families, leaders, and service providers. Whether you live the military lifestyle or support those who do, you'll find what you need! http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/

BGCA Programs (In addition to Youth of the Year)
BGCA has had along and proud partnership with the military. 460+ Military Youth Centers have benefited from this great partnership. All military youth centers worldwide are affiliated with BGCA. 530,000 + military youth served. BGCA has been our primary source of training for overseas professionals.


Keystone Clubs are the Boys & Girls Club Movement’s most dynamic teen program. It affords Air Force teens an opportunity to gain valuable leadership and service experience. They conduct activities in three areas: academic success, career exploration and community service. The Taco Bell Foundation for Teens sponsors the Keystone Club program as part of a multi-year teen initiative; a strategic partnership between the Foundation and BGCA provides Clubs with the tools and resources to create a positive place for teens as well as for kids.

Torch Clubs are chartered small-group leadership and service clubs for Air Force youth ages 11-13. A Torch Club is a powerful vehicle through which Club staff can help meet the special character development needs of younger adolescents at a critical stage in their development. Torch Club members learn to elect officers and work together to implement activities in four areas: service to Club and community, education, health and fitness and social recreation.

Power Hour: Making Minutes Count helps Air Force youth ages 6-12 become more successful in school by providing homework help and tutoring and encouraging members to become self-directed learners. The program kit includes a guidebook for homework helpers and tutors and charts for tracking and rewarding participants' progress.
For additional information concerning Boys and Girls Clubs of America programs and opportunities visit www.bgca.org.

Stop Bullying NOW!: The U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration has a cam-paign called Stop Bullying Now, which offers advice to kids, parents, school officials and others about steps they can take to address bullying. The theme is ?Take a Stand. Lend a Hand. Stop Bullying Now!? Their website has a page with games and cartoon webisodes to help kids learn about bullying and how to stop it. Another page was created especially for adults that includes resources about bullying awareness, prevention and intervention. These resources can be found at the following link: http://stopbullying.gov.

Free Tutoring Service: Get a tutor 24/7 when you sign up for tutor.com. The website offers free tutoring and homework help for military/dependents stationed anywhere in the world. Go to www.tutor.com/military to see if you are eligible for the program.

Military Kids Connect: The Department of Defense (DoD) launched a new website for children experiencing the challenges of military deployments.

The highly interactive website, www.MilitaryKidsConnect.org, was created by psychologists at DoD's National Center for Telehealth and Technology. It helps children of deployed parents cope with the stress, changing responsibilities, and concern for the safety of their parents.

The center, known as T2, developed the website with informative videos, educational tools, and engaging games and activities for three age groups: 6 to 8, 9 to 12 and 13 to 17. The site features monitored online social network forums for the groups to safely share their experiences with deployments.

MilitaryKidsConnect.org is the first DoD website to connect children in the widely separated active, reserve, and National Guard military communities.

The website has features that will help children, parents, and educators navigate the wide range of practical and emotional challenges military families must live with throughout the deployment cycle.

U.S. Small Business Administration

Did you know the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has an entire section devoted to helping young entrepreneurs? "Young Entrepreneurs Essential Guide to Starting Your Own Business!" is a free online course offered by the SBA to help young entrepreneurs get started. The course is self-paced, easy to use, and take only 30 minutes to complete. Encourage your youth to take the course now at: http://web.sba.gov/sbtn/registration/index.cfm?CourseId=82.

While online, make it a point to review the other SBA resources for youth: everything from "Summer Jobs +" to information on the student loan Income Based Repayment Plan. Visit www.sba.gov/young today!