The Youth Center is accredited by three organizations: 1. National After School Association 2. National Association for the Education of Young Children 3. Certified by the Department of Defense to operate the School Age Care Program (SAC).
The YC has 3 programs for children: the Open Recreation Program for children 9-17. The fee is $25.00 per year which enables the children to participate in activities in the Game Room, the gymnasium, the snack bar, the study program called Power Hour, the computer room, the 4 H club and various other activities. An ID card is issued to each child, he/she swipes to enter and exit the facility. Children in this program are supervised more loosely and can come and leave at their will. Patrons who are TDY or do not want an annual membership can pay $1.00 per day to participate in the Open Recreation Program.
The Enrichment Program for 3-5 yr olds. They can attend 2 or 3 day programs form 8:30AM - 11:00AM. The two day program is on Tuesday and Thursday and the 3 day program is on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays. Fees are based on house hold income. For enrollment this year, the child must be 3 by June 2004. For enrollment next year, the child must be 3 by June 2005.
The School Age Program is the 3rd program at the Youth Center for children K - 6th grade. They can participate in the Before School Care Program, the After School Care Program or both the Before and After School Care programs. Many parents develop their own combination of the programs they want their children to use.
Children can be transported to both the elementary school in Mascoutah (by bus) or walked across the street by a licensed supervisor to the Scott Elementary School. Where the child attends school is determined by where they reside on base.
The Youth Center sponsors a program called "Youth in Transition". If a child or teenager is feeling lost and apprehensive about an upcoming move and wants knowledge about that new area, the Youth Center will arrange for a pen pal from that area to write your child. This is also for children coming into the Scott AFB area.
In the summer, the Civilian Personnel Office has openings for students. Job vacancies in the past have included; lifeguards, computer entry, and manual labor. Announcements usually come out in March.
The Youth Center offers a "Teens for Hire" program. Teens, ages 13 to 15 can register by filling out a brief questionnaire and information can be "matched" with anyone needing to hire someone. A variety of jobs will be offered to include yard work, babysitting, car washing, etc. If you are a teen and would like to be added to the list, stop by building 4780 and complete the application.
The Scott Air Force Base Youth Center Torch Club is a chartered small group leadership and service club for boys and girs ages 10 to 12. Torch Club members learn to elect officers and work together to plan and implement activities in four areas; service to the Youth Center and community, education, health and fitness, and social recreation. Meetings are at 4:00PM on Thursdays.
Volunteer work can enhance your marketable skills and show experience when applying for work. It is considered on applications for college and scholarships. The American Red Cross offers a summer Youth Program for ages 8 to 17. The YES program allows kids to save money for college while volunteering.
The Youth Center has a gymnasium, game room (with pool tables, foosball, pinball games, video games and air hockey), a TV lounge, classrooms, and outside playgrounds. They also offer a separate Teen Center for high school-aged, young adults in the family.
Classes are ongoing and vary depending on age and skill level. At the present, karate, ballet and tap, gymnastics, and piano and guitar lessons are offered. Registration costs for the classes vary and are paid monthly.
Several different sports are organized throughout the year. They include floor hockey, baseball, or softball, T-ball, swimming, basketball and soccer.
The Youth Center has several ongoing and annual events. Programs found at the Youth Center include Moms, Pops and Tots, the Young Astronauts Program, pre-teen parties and teen dances, evening activities such as candy bar bingo, a movie and popcorn, and charades or pictionary competitions. Some of the seasonal activities include the annual Egg Hunt and the Youth Fair.
The Teen Center is open to all ID holding teens and their guests. Teens can come to the center to play pool, foosball, ping-pong, Sega Saturn, watch TV, listen to music, play games or just hang out. It is open every Friday and Saturday from 7:00PM until 11:00PM.
Teens 14 and up are encouraged to join the Scott AFB Teen Council. This teen organization does many community activities, fund raising, and plans activities for the teen population of Scott AFB.
Once a month throughout the summer, the YC takes trips to Six Flags in Missouri. Other trips include camping, white water rafting, snow skiing and trips to the Meramac Caverns, etc. Trips are advertised monthly through the YC.
Pool parties are held all summer long.
The chapel offers both the Catholic Youth Organization and Protestant Youth of the Chapel. Both plan many trips and activities for the teens.
Curfew: Persons under 17 years of age are not allowed to be out of doors beyond the immediate vicinity of their home between the hours of 11:00PM and 6:00AM.
Curfew on Friday and Saturday nights is between 12:00PM and 6:00AM. Exceptions to this policy are juveniles who are accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other adult person having care and custody for the child, and for juveniles attending base functions in which case curfew begins one-half hour after the official close of the event. Juvenile who are employed, during the curfew hours, travel directly from work to their residence. Curfew is an Illinois law and is enforced on Scott AFB.
Driving: If you are 15 to 17 years old, you may receive your instruction permit only if you are enrolled in an approved driver education class. The instruction permit is valid for 24 months and must be held for at least three months prior to obtaining a driver's license when you are 16 years of age or older. If you are 17 year and 9 months of age or older, you may apply for an instruction permit without taking driver education course.