Youth Center performs "The Pied Piper"

  • Published
  • By Christopher Bailey
  • Nucleus staff writer
KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. --  School's out for the summer.

This means that the Kirtland Air Force Base Youth Center is buzzing with activities to keep children busy with fun, laughter and learning.

Summer Extravaganza 2012 is a summer activities program availabe to base children. The program, in its ninth year, offers activities, from field trips, to basketball camps to pool tournaments for Kirtland AFB children to enjoy.

"It's about keeping the kids on this base active and having fun," said Camille Ozores, the youth center's pre-teen director and programmer.

The program started in early June and ends Aug. 3 and is for children from 9 to 18. Although children who are members of the youth center during the school year are involved, the program is focused on those who aren't members.

"The purpose of Summer Extravaganza 2012 is to pull in children who are not members of the youth center and get them involved with youth programs," Orzores said. "We are trying to build the program and provide a safe place for them to go to in the summer."

Youth center memberships cost $30 a year per child. This membership allows them to get discounted rates on all trips and events that require a small fee.

About 65-70 kids participate in open recreation, which is open at 1 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturdays, and offers a plethora of activities in arts and crafts, multimedia and physical fitness.

"We have small games, like board games, and we have large games like pool tables and air hockey," Ozores said. "We have all kinds of tournaments; we show movies and have popcorn parties, with free popcorn. That's a big draw for the kids."

The youth center offers off-base field trips and weeklong camps for children who wish to be a bit more adventurous.

One such event was the theatrical performance of "The Pied Piper" on June 15. Kirtland children auditioned, rehearsed and performed the play with the help of the Missoula Children's Theatre International Tour, a traveling theatre group which comes to Kirtland AFB each summer. So far in 2012, the theatre group has been to more than 1,200 communities throughout 17 countries and worked with more than 65,000 children.

"It was so much fun seeing the kids dress up and perform," said Ozores. "They worked really hard this week and it was a great time for them.

Other camps include the Sidelines Sports Camp, scheduled for June 25-29. For five days, participants learn to play sports not often seen, like ultimate Frisbee, badminton, water polo, fencing, and lacrosse. Other camps include rocketeering, basketball and an adventure camp, where youth can experience the effects of military life.

Scheduled field trips include two to Santa Fe, to visit its recreational center and ride the Santa Fe train.

"Variety is a big deal with these kids," Ozores said. "We are constantly looking for new and interesting activities for them.

For more information about this summer's activities at the youth center, call 853-5437.