Youth: Tweens & Teens

The Program is for ages 10 - 12

Welcome to the Dyess Youth Tween Program, there are many fun and exciting programs for youth ages 10 - 12 to be involved in. Each week you have the opportunity to be participate in a wide variety of activities.

Boys & Girls Club Torch Club – a leadership program created just for you, become involved in planning activities and community service projects.

4-H Activities – gardening, cooking, leadership and photography are just a few of the activities we offer through our partnership with 4-H.

Fit Factor – earn incentives for things you do everyday: walking, running, washing dishes, walking your dog, eating your veggies and yes, even for drinking milk!

Art – you choose either free art or instructional art projects such as: soap making, model cars, painting, woodworking.

During school breaks we explore outside of Abilene city limits – Six Flags, Hurricane Harbor, Ice Skating and Camping & Canoeing.  While inside the area of Abilene there are trips to the movies, roller skating, swimming, bowling and museums.

THE TORCH CLUB IS A LEADERSHIP CLUB

Through the Torch Club, Youth ages 11 - 13 learn leadership skills through meetings, activities and Club conceived programs. Each individual has the chance to be the Torch of the Quarter. Activities help promote these disciplines:

THE ARTS - Helps develop Pre-teen creativity with crafts, music, performing arts and creative writing.

CHARACTER LEADERSHIP - Empowers Pre-teens to support their programs, sustain relationships & develop a positive self-image.

EDUCATION CAREER DEVELOPMENT - Allows Pre-teens to become proficient in educational disciplines. To apply the skills to everyday situations. Using technology to realize goals in a career setting.

SPORTS, FITNESS & RECREATION - Offers skills that develop a positive use of leisure, stress management and social skills, through programs involving team sports and recreation.

HEALTH & LIFE SKILLS - Develop a healthy attitude, by teaching and nurturing positive behavior. Encourages them to be self-sufficient adults.

TUTORING & EDUCATION - This Daily Program offers youth homework assistance during Power Hour.

Our Teen program is developed for youth ages 13 – 18 years old.

 We have a wide variety of programs for teens to enjoy. We offer programs in many areas, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, 4-H, Air Force and local activities.

Boys & Girls Clubs programs consist of: Youth of the Year Competition, Keystone Club, Money Matters, Goals for Graduation, Power Hour, Triple Play, Photo Contest, Fine Arts Contest and Genealogy.

In 4-H we offer projects in leadership, gardening, cooking, arts, sewing, photo club, archery, and science.

Some of the Air Force programs offered are: Congressional Awards, Fit Factor, specialty camps, AF Youth of the Year, Aviation Camp, Space Camp, and Bowl by Mail.

As for our own programs we offer: ping pong, pool, air hockey, foosball, arts & crafts, checkers and chess tournaments, video games on such consoles as the Wii, PlayStation 2 with bikes, and Game Cube.
 
During school breaks the youth enjoy trips to Six Flags Over Texas, Hurricane Harbor, Camping & Canoeing, fishing, Dyno-Rock Climbing Gym, Ski & Snowboard in New Mexico, and the movies.

One of our most rewarding programs is assisting with the Meals on Wheels, delivering meals to the elderly and shut-ins around Abilene.

KEYSTONE CLUB - This club is for youth ages 14 - 18. Club members consist of a student body determining policy and procedure needs as well acquire character and leadership skills, explore careers and educational opportunities, provides service to their center and community, learn about the free enterprise system, learn about and practice an appreciation for the diversity in others while enhancing their social skills. Members are elected to serve as president, vice president, secretary and treasurer within the club.

Youth Employment Skills (YES) Program

The Youth Employment Skills (YES) Program is an on-base volunteer program for high school students. A joint effort between the Air Force Aid Society and Air Force Services offering high school students an opportunity to learn valuable work skills, "bank"dollar credits towards their secondary education and have a positive impact on their base community. YES allows the student to put $4 in grant funding for every hour volunteered in an on-base function. Dependent children of active duty Air Force members assigned to Dyess AFB are eligible. Instruction Sheet HERE
For the latest info, contact the Youth Director

Air Force Teen Aviation Camp/Space Camp

Aimed toward students who will be sophomores or juniors in high school and are interested in attending the Air Force Academy or making the Air Force a career. Youth submit an application to the Youth Center who forwards it to the Air Force Services Agency. The Aviation Camp is a joint program with the United States Air Force Academy and Air Force Services. The camp gives the youth insight on what life at the academy could be like. It is offered usually during June.

4-H Youth Development is the dynamic, non-formal, educational program of the cooperative State research, Education and Extension Service of the US Department of Agriculture. AF Family Member Programs provide access to high quality, developmentally appropriate program resources and materials. The Youth Program offers youth activities, youth support, and school-age programs for children/youth 6-18 years of age.

Examples of Activities:
Photography
Sewing
Gardening
Cooking
Animal Care
Community Service
Ropes Course