YOUTH SERVICES:
U.S. Army Garrison-Michigan (Selfridge)
has a very active youth services program. It offers a wide variety of
instructional classes, teen programs, youth development activities, computer
lab, homework assistance, leisure and recreational events, a youth sport leagues
and a variety of school age services. Students have the opportunity to
participate in a variety activities and extracurricular events to include; of
Football, Boys Soccer, Golf, Cross Country, Girls Basketball, Girls Tennis,
softball, Track and Field, Boys Basketball, Baseball , Girls Softball,
Volleyball, Wrestling , Cheerleading, Tennis, Student Council, NHS (National
Honor Society).
SCHOOL AGE SERVICES:
School Age Services for
youth ages 6 to 12 years: Before and After School Program, Vacation Camps, and
Summer Camp are offered. Fees are based on DoD Total family income scale. Hours:
Before & After School- 6:30 AM - 9:30 AM & 2:30 PM -5:30 PM, Vacation
& Summer Camp- 6:30 AM - 5:30 PM, One Computer Lab located in the Sebille
Manor Youth Center.
PRESCHOOL:
Preschool is available on and
off base. The Bryant Child Development Center provides quality developmental
programs for children. Whether children are enrolled in the full day or part day
programs, a schedule of planned activities will enable the children to develop
and grow in a caring, nurturing environment. The Center has been NAEYC
Accredited since 1992. It is also DOD Certified and has received the Fiscal Year
2000 Program of Excellence Award.
FAMILY CHILD CARE:
Family
Child Care (FCC) is one of several child care options both on and off base
available here at Selfridge. The FCC and Homes off Post (HOP) providers and
their homes are Army Certified. Our FCC/HOP providers offer professional
childcare services for children, four weeks through 12 years of age in a family
atmosphere. Children are cared for in homes, which offer developmental programs,
in small group settings. These homes meet the needs of the US Army
Garrison-Michigan community because they offer flexible hours and are capable of
meeting special needs, such as, early hours for PT, before/after school care,
extended hour care, weekend care, emergency care, and 24 hour child
care.
YOUTH CENTER:
The Youth Center is located off base in the
Sebille Manor housing area, approximately 3 miles from base. Youth Services
programs provide wide range of opportunities that meet the developmental,
education, physical and social needs of our community's young
people.. Teens are encouraged to obtain ownership, as well as
participate in US Army Garrison-Michigan youth programs. New and
departing youth are encouraged to attend the Hi & Bye quarterly
party. New youth get to make new friends and departing youth are able
to give new youth an idea of what s going on in the community. The youth center
has a full size game room with a computer lab. The center offers various
activities for youths to participate in such as special event dances, carnivals,
bowling, camping, and fishing, swimming parties.
YOUTH
SPONSORSHIP:
Youth Sponsorship helps a newly arrived youth by hooking
them up with another youth to assist them with adjusting to their new community.
The goal of the program is to have the newcomer feel as welcome as possible by
matching the newcomer with another youth that shares similar interests. The
Youth Sponsorship Program is designed to facilitate the timely integration of
dependent youth into new surroundings when transitioning to a new military
installation. Youth sponsorship provides youth 8-18 the opportunity to discuss
and deal with issues that occur during frequent moves. It helps youth get in
touch with their peers. Youth preparing to come to Michigan can email Youth
Services to be a assigned a sponsor at the email address in CONTACTS/LINKS or
contact the Youth Center or the School Ages Services Director.
CHAPEL
SERVICES FOR YOUTH:
The Base chapel offers Gospel, Protestant and
Catholic services. Sunday School is held at the Chapel, Sep - May at 11 a.m.
Protestant Children's Church is held during worship services. Vacation Bible
School is held during the summer months. Call the chapel for or exact dates.
Visit Contacts/links for more information.
YOUTH
EMPLOYMENT:
The Youth Center has a few summer job placements for
teens. Youth may also work at the Commissary if they are 14 years old
or older. Youth age 18 or older may apply for MWR summer hire positions by
completing applications for federal employment. See Federal Employment listing.
Look for US Army Garrison-Michigan summer jobs at the Army Civilian Personnel
Web Site. For more information please refer to
Contacts/Links.
EXTENDED DAY CARE: In addition to US Army
Garrison-Michigan School Age Services, there are several other programs to
choose from. The L'Anse Creuse, Anchor Bay, and Mount Clemens School districts
offer Head Start, Pre-school Classes, Kindergarten Extended Day, School Age
Child Care, and several other early childhood programs. Additionally, the Mount
Clemens district offers an all day, every day, tuition free kindergarten program
that started fall 2000. The L'Anse Creuse School District will offer an all
kindergarten for the 2005-2006 school year.
SAFETY
ISSUES/CURFEWS:
There is no regular curfew for youth on Selfridge.
However, there are specific times of year when a curfew is usually imposed (i.e.
Halloween) for the Detroit Metro area. Talk to other teens/youth after you
arrive to find out where the trouble spots are and what or who to
avoid.
TEENS TO TEENS:
FASHION: Some guys and quite a few
girls like to wear baggie jeans, just be careful about sagging (wearing jeans or
jean shorts that are already too big and then pulling them down so far that they
will sag). Tommy Hilfiger is one of several a popular brands here, along with
shoes by Nike, Reebok, and Fila.
MAKING NEW FRIENDS: Gangs are
not a big problem at this time but there are several gangs in the area. You
should be very careful in who you choose as friends. After arriving at
Selfridge, make it a positive experience by getting to know people and becoming
involved in various activities. Let your parents to get to know your friends and
your friend's parents. If you have any apprehensions or questions, please
contact Ms Mitchell or someone in Youth Services or Selfridge Community Service
(Family Services). They will do everything to assist you in getting to know your
new surroundings.
YOUTH SPORTS: If you enjoy sports, become
involved in community sports or those in your schools. The sports
programs are really good and the students enjoy watching. However Michigan law
prohibits youth to participate in two different leagues at the same time (i.e.,
be on 2 basketball teams). If you are not an athlete become involved
in other extracurricular activities.
SCHOLARSHIPS: In addition to
National Scholarships, there are many Private Scholarships available to college
bound students throughout the state.
DRIVER'S LICENSE
INFORMATION:
When teens get their first driver license, it is called a
graduated driver license (GDL). A GDL has three levels. The truth is young
drivers are in more crashes than their parents. So, the graduated driver license
was created to help teens get more driving practice.
You can get a Level
1 license if you are at least 14 years and nine months old. You have
to pass Drivers' Education Classes. T o move to Level 2, you must practice at
least 50 hours of driving and pass a road test. You must also be at
least 16 years old. At age 17, you can get a Level 3 license with
full driving privileges. You cannot move up a level until you have
shown that you can drive safely. The graduated licensing program is
only for drivers under age 18. All new drivers are on probation for
three years, no matter how old they are when they get their first driver
license. If you have serious problems, such as tickets or crashes,
you will be called in by a driver license examiner to discuss your
driving. You could even lose your license to drive.
Michigan
laws say no one under age 21 can drink alcohol. That is why the laws
about drinking and driving are even tougher for drivers under 21. If
there is any hint of alcohol on your breath or alcohol in your car, you can be
arrested. You will be in big trouble. You can lose your driving
privileges. This is called zero tolerance. Michigan law is serious
about cracking down on teens who drink, then drive. There is also a
MANDATORY SEAT BELT LAW; everyone must wear a safety belt. For more
information see Secretary of State Web Site.
Visit Contacts/Links for
more information on Youth Centers.