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AFMC We Need initiative to add more RV spots for FamCamp RV park

  • Published
  • By Katherine Franco
  • 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

The 412th Force Support Squadron and 412th Civil Engineer Group officially began work to expand the FamCamp following a groundbreaking ceremony on Edwards Air Force Base, California, Dec. 6.

FamCamp is an RV park on-base that is open to all DoD ID cardholders. The RV park is first-come, first-served and originally, only short-term. Brig. Gen. Matthew Higer, 412th Test Wing Commander, signed an exemption to policy to provide long-term residence.

Before COVID-19, it was a very challenging place to find residence and space in this valley, Higer explained. COVID-19 exacerbate the national housing crisis, and base leadership sought a way to alleviate some of that pressure.

“These five shovelfuls are the first step in removing some of that,” Higer said during the ceremony. “We also increase the number of houses on bases and potentially get diversity of the types of housing; including apartments on base, and then work for better housing in the local area as well.”

The FamCamp upgrade is funded by the Air Force Materiel Command’s AFMC We Need initiative. Base leadership saw it as a way to improve on-base quality of life.

“There will be 16 new RV slots added to the park. There are currently 19 slots, so we will almost double the capacity of the park with this project,” said Tony Arcidiacono, Saber Chief, 412th Civil Engineering Group.

Capt. Elizabeth A. Moyer, 412th Force Support Squadron Acting Director, said, for Team Edwards, FamCamp is beneficial and a low-cost option to live on base.

“FamCamp construction started on December 6. Our amazing CEG team, with Mr. David A. Lacomb, 412th Civil Engineering Group as the lead, designed the plan to extend FamCamp for more families, especially with the current nationwide housing shortage,” Moyer said.

The new RV spots are slated to be completed sometime in early 2022, said Arcidiacono.

“This is the first shovelful and what I hope are many in the next couple years for new houses and new apartments as well,” Higer added, “Good on FSS, great on AFMC and AFMC We Need for partnering and giving us the resources.”

Edwards provides care, opportunities for children aged six weeks through high school graduation

Edwards provides care, opportunities for childrenaged six weeks through high school graduation

The Child and Youth Program at Edwards AFB provides care and opportunities for kids ages six weeks old through high school graduation. A brief summary of those services follows:

  •                    The Child Development Center cares for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, with a DOD-wide curriculum. The curriculum is focused on learning through play activities supporting social, emotional, physical and intellectual development. Installations across DOD follow the curriculum on the same timeline to allow seamless permanent change-of-station transitions for youth enrolled in care.
  •                    The School Age Center provides before and after-school care and summer camp for children ages 5 to 12. During school breaks, full-day camps are offered. SAC promotes cognitive, social, emotional, cultural, language and physical development through programs that encourage self-confidence, curiosity, self-discipline and resiliency.
  •                    The open recreation program at the Main Youth Center provides a safe space for ages 9 to 12 to attend after school. Programs include Power Hour, STEM, Torch Club, social recreation, youth camps, special events and more.
  •                    The youth sports program provides intro and league opportunities for ages 3 to 12, and promotes inclusiveness, self-discipline, commitment, resiliency and social skills. There are four sports offered annually for ages five to 12: baseball/softball, soccer, flag football and basketball. Smart start programs are available to ages 3 to 5. There are many other sports and camps offered throughout the year.
  •                    The Teen Center is available for ages 13 to 18 during the school year. Programs offered include Military Youth of the Year, Keystone Club, social recreation, STEM activities, college trips, leadership camps and more.
  •                    Youth programs (SAC, open rec and teen) are affiliated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and 4-H.
  •                    Family Child Care homes – there are currently three FCC homes on the installation. They can provide care for ages two weeks to 12 years. FCC providers are trained by Child and Youth Program training and curriculum specialists and have the flexibility to determine their hours of operation and the ages of youth within their care. The program’s new dedicated manager, Jennifer Stegmann, may be reached at 661-275-7529.

Although CDC enrollment capacity is 317, not all slots are currently filled because of a shortage of childcare workers. School Age Center enrollment capacity is 156. After-school care enrollment is 130. Before-school care enrollment is 75. Summer Camp 2022 was at its capacity and enrollment for Summer Camp 2023 opens April 3.