The four major concerns for relocating children and teens
are:
1. LEAVING FRIENDS. The sooner they meet new
friends, the easier it is to accept their new home. Meeting your new
neighbors, and participating in school, church, and recreational activities will
provide several avenues for your children/teens to meet new
friends.
2. SCHOOL. The quicker you can introduce
your children/teens to their new school and teachers, the quicker they can
adjust and accept. We highly recommend personally visiting the school
with your children/teens as soon as possible. If your move occurs
during summer vacation, take them by their school district to arrange a meeting
if possible.
3. CONTINUITY. Whether by involvement
in church, scouting, sports, music, dance, or whatever, it is very helpful to
get children/teens involved in activities that they enjoyed in their old
home. Moving may also provide an opportunity to expand their
activities into other
fields.
4. STABILITY. Seemingly little things like
decorating their new room similar to their old, eating at the same time, and
doing other activities that were routine in your old home may prove very helpful
in the adjustment process of your children/teens.
The Air Force Academy
and Colorado Springs offers an abundance of youth resources which will help in
their adjustment to a new home. Numerous youth activities are offered
through the Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Dept, El Paso County Parks
Dept, area schools, churches, art groups, and athletic organizations in addition
to on-base programs.
On base, the Youth Center has a very
active youth program which includes seminars, trips, special events, fund
raisers, and Youth Employment Skills (YES), to name a few.
On base care
for youth is offered by the Youth Center and Douglass Valley and Pine Valley
Adventure Club Programs. Before and after school programs, in
addition to day camps are offered.