Summer camps offer fun and learning for Kadena’s youth

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alesia Goosic
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Fifty children had the opportunity to experience the wonders of underwater exploration, make volcanoes and invent devices which could be used to pick up small objects at the bottom of the ocean during the Immersion Learning science camp at the youth center last week.

The science camp was only one of many activities available for Kadena's youth this summer.

Teresa Witschen, chief of youth programs, said the main focus of the summer camps is to offer a positive experience for the kids. "It's something that the kids can do and come away with a new experience," she said.

A wide variety of one-week camps will be held throughout the summer:

One upcoming camp is a cup staking camp where children learn the art of speed stacking plastic cups into patterns as quickly as possible. The children can race against each other or the clock during speed stacking competitions. Research has shown that this new craze of cup stacking actually teaches children cooperation, hand-eye coordination and even ambidexterity. This camp will be held Aug. 23-27.

There's also an opportunity to learn about theater. Children participating in the Missoula's Children's Theater will learn everything it takes to put on a play in one week. This camp will be held Aug. 16-20. Auditions will be held on that Monday and the children will perform a play that Saturday.

Registration is available now for these and other camps, activities and classes at the youth center.

The camps are designed to not only keep the kids entertained, but also give them the opportunity to learn something new.

Dion Bass, teen center director, said the key to a successful camp is to teach the kids something new without them even realizing they're learning. He said the children think they're just having fun, but they're actually embracing cultural experiences, participating in educational opportunities and learning new skills without even knowing they're doing it.

In addition to summer camps, the youth center also offers field trips and tours around the island that children can participate in. Some upcoming trips include Shurijo Castle Aug. 11, Round 1 amusement park Aug. 19 and ice skating Aug. 27.

"There are a lot of opportunities if the teens will embrace it," Mr. Bass said.

To learn more about the activities available for Kadena's youth, contact the youth center at 634-0500.