Child and Youth Development Services is responsible for
maintaining a Youth Sponsorship Program, designed to help incoming and outgoing
youth adjust to a new installation by sharing information and orientation.Child
and Youth Development Services Center and the Army Community Service Employment
Readiness Program offer a teen employment workshop to teens which teaches teens
how to fill out a resume, questions to ask and not ask on job interviews, how to
dress, and how to present themselves in a professional manner. This workshop is
followed by a Teen Job Fair. At the Teen Job Fair, teens have the
opportunity to talk with different businesses and agencies that have paid and
non-paid positions available.
Teens also work as volunteers on Fort Meade
and in the local community, learning new skills and gaining experience while
having fun. Teens get a positive return on their investment of time,
ideas, and commitment. For specific listings of volunteer
opportunities SEE THE CATEGORY EMPLOYMENT---NON-PAID OR VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES.See "CHILD AND TEEN SERVICES -Things To Do" category of
SITES. Also visit the "Local Community - Events Calendar, Cultural
Attractions, and Recreation Opportunities" sections of SITES for listings of
off-post activities/resources.
Youth Services on Fort Meade offers
comprehensive programs for children and teens that foster social interaction,
promotes personal growth and provides children opportunities to develop
educational and recreational skills. Participants must be family
members of active duty or retirees, reservists, National Guard, or DoD civilians
stationed at Fort Meade.
YOUTH CENTER DROP-INS.
Includes game room
with foosball, ping-pong, nintendo, pool tables, powder hockey, video games, TV
room, children's library.
TEEN CENTER
Offers teen lounge, library,
foosball, bumper pool, stereo system, Super Nintendo, card tables and
computers. The Teen Center is governed by an elected teen council and
plans various activities, trips and volunteering projects.
PRE-TEEN
ACTIVITIES
Include dances, trips, special events, pre-teen jam, and game
room for ages 9-13 years. Pre-teen dances and special events cost
$2.00 for Youth Services card holders, $3.00 for guests.
COMPUTER
USE
Will be available for use (homework, pleasure, computer games) after
youths have completed basic knowledge workshop.
In addition to the many
Youth Services programs and activities open to all ages, Youth Services offers
several specialized teen activities. Read the "For Teens Only"
section of SITES, below, for more information.Moving as a teen can be extremely
difficult. When you were younger, your primary support system was
your parents. And, when you moved, so did your support
system. As a teen, however, your typical support system consists
largely of close friends. Thus, the idea of relocating can have you
feeling like you re losing your whole support system.
Here are a few
coping tips from teens who have moved successfully:
* First,
it is not necessary to give up your current friendships. Modern
technology has made it so easy to stay in touch. Granted, a phone
call, letter or internet chat isn t quite the same as being
there. However, these things do make it easier to keep track of each
other until you are able to catch up later on. * Remember, the
friends you have now were new to you at some point in time. And, you
will have the opportunity to make new friends at your next assignment.
* Don t blame your parents for the move. The military
rarely makes it an option. Placing blame doesn t help
anyone. Instead, look upon this as an opportunity to grow, learn, and
experience a new way of life - an opportunity many other teens don t experience.
* Get involved in the process. Ask questions about schools
and activities (before you arrive at your new location) so that you can take
part in the decision making process. Tell your parents what you are
looking for in a school/activities. Ask them to request a
sponsor. Many junior and senior high schools, in addition
to installation youth service programs, have peer pen pals willing to write you
and tell you what you may look forward to when you move.
Now, what is it
you need to know about the Fort Meade area? Well, check this
out:
1. What kinds of clothes do people wear?
Guys wear
baggy jeans with sweat shorts or boxers underneath & seasonal polo shirts,
college team sweat shirts, sweat suits, champion sweat/T-shirts (all of the
shirts are normally oversized). Basketball, Hockey, or Soccer jerseys
are popular. Name brand sneakers, like Reeboks, Nikis or Timberland
boots. Hair style for guys include braids, dreads, high & tights,
Afro's, bowl cuts, uncombed hair, pony tails, and the bald Michael Jordan look.
Earrings are hot.
Girls are wearing mini skirts, tank mini dresses,
oversized T-shirts, jeans, champion sweat shirts with oversized pants, tight mid
drift shirts. Soccer & Hockey shirts, some female attire has the "blurred
vision" look. Name brand sneakers, like, Reeboks, Sketchers, Nike,
Vans. Also, tights, with shiny tight shirts and boots with heels.
High-heeled clob knockers, and Timberland boots are also being worn. Hairstyles
include braids, bleached blonde, extensions and the Toni Braxton
look. Young ladies are also wearing the shimmering pastel
eyeshadows/lip glossess. Poet frame eyeglasses and pastel sun shades are being
worn. Earrings are hot.
2. What kind of music/radio station is
popular?
It depends on which way you swing. We listen to
everything. ..Hip Hop, RAP, Go-Go, & Rock. There are a lot of radio stations
in the area, you can find Hip Hop/RAP and RB/Soul on 95.5 WPGC and 96.9 WHUR,
Hip Hop/RAP on 93.9 WKYS. Rock is good on 101.1 WWDC, Jazz on 105.9 FM, Country
& Western on 93.1 WPOC; Pop on 106.5 WMIX. You can find every
type of music in this area, just spin the dial!
3. What are
the area teens into, where do they hang-out?
It's the
mall! Most area teens tend to hang out at the mall for shopping, the
food court, or the arcade. Go-kart tracks and multi-plex theaters are popular.
In some areas swimming pools are hot spots. Teen dances, Go-Go's,
midnight bowling and skateboarding are hot....
Your local high school is
a great place to hang out during football and basketball season. Also, consider
joining a school club, and take some local field trips. Oh yeah, the
telephone is real hot!!! To have a beeper or cell phone is prime, as long as you
don t take them to school! Surfing the internet is cool,
too. Making the honor roll is choice primo!
4. Are
there Teen Gangs in the area?
Not many. They tend to do petty crimes.
Some small pocket gangs hang out in high school parking lots and
harass the students. They sometimes try and bumrush you and take popular
clothing. Select your friends carefully and try to have a buddy
system while at school. Become aware of your school s safety
measures. It s not a good idea to wear any kind of bandanna - you
may be mistaken for someone interested in gang
activity.
5. Are drugs/alcohol being used by
Teens?
Depends on who you hang with...but Marijuana, and "Blunts" (cigars
mixed with drugs)have been on the rise among teens. Beer has become a
drink of choice. Steer clear of that junk...a drugged mind is a
cesspool of contamination...
6. What else is there to do in
the area?
MWR is a terrific resource for activities that will make your
day! They have discount tickets to area movie theaters (there are many!),
discount tickets to area theme parks (Kings Dominion, Bush Gardens, etc.), and
they offer many exciting trips (for example, white water rafting, Orioles ball
games, Ocean City beach weekends, and more). Call (301) 677-7354 to get the
latest on MWR happenings.
7. When can I get a driver s
license?
Teens may get their learner's permit at age 15
1/2. Both a written and behind the wheel test must be passed before a
license can be obtained. See Category: INSTALLATION, Subject area:
REGULATIONS for locations of the Motor Vehicle Departments nearest your home to
get the book on Maryland driving laws and to obtain your
permit.
8. Where can I get information about schools,
graduation requirements, activities?
You may want to browse through other
sections of this SITES booklet - in particular, Education
, Youth Employment , Child and Teens Services
, and Support Services - MWR.
FYI...Each year
selected teens represent Fort Meade and/or higher-headquarter youths and teens
at conferences, summits, and special forums or focus groups providing our teens
experience in speaking, planning, organizing, dealing with others, and traveling
as VIP's. If you re interested in making a difference, contact Youth
Services and let them know you d like to get involved!