Spring break brings fun and excitement for Kadena's youth

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Angelique Perez
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  There was no excuse for youths to be couch potatoes this spring break with the wide variety of activities offered by the Kadena Youth Center and Kadena School Age Program.
The Kadena Youth Center held a spring camp for 9-12 year olds filling every day with different activities for children to help them learn new skills while they are out of school. The activities included bowling, rock climbing wall, a giant slide, an obstacle course, craft classes, golfing, and a fun day and barbeque at Kadena Marina. 

The spring camp, in coordination with the open recreational program, provided a safe, supervised place for kids to hang out and allowed those who attended an opportunity to experience things they may not otherwise been able to. The youth center staff came up with the ideas and enlisted the support of the many on-base recreational facilities in order to make the camp a success.

"The staff members worked really hard to conduct activities for each individual age group," said Heather Hanna, Chief of Kadena School Age Programs. "We tried to have activities to challenge the needs of the children in the areas of science, art, drama, games, and media." 

The program offered children an opportunity to find new hobbies to relieve stress and build their self-esteem. 

"Our program is a social skill learning place where children learn to problem solve through play all day," said Ms. Hanna. "It is a place where children feel belonging, comfort, and secure with encouraged support to try new things. It's the best place for children to come when school isn't in session." 

Though spring break programs ended April 10, activities are offered year-round for Kadena's youth. For further information on the programs offered for Kadena youths contact Heather Hanna, at the school age programs office, 634-5524, and Teresa Witschen at the youth center, 634-0382.

"We are here for the kids; it's as simple as that," said Teresa Witschen, chief of the Kadena Youth Center. " If the kids are having fun in a safe manner, then our camp is a success."