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ArticleCS

Edwards AFB helps kick off the Month of the Military Child with special event

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

Millions of military family storytime moments are missed because of military life challenges. These moments of bonding, connection and learning are crucial for military families. To honor the Month of the Military Child, Edwards AFB helped combat this challenge by hosting the United through Reading Mobile Story Station Spring Roadshow at the Base Exchange on Edwards AFB, April 1.

United Through Reading is a national nonprofit headquartered in San Diego, California with a unique mission specifically for military families, spouses and anyone else for the special children and their lives.

United Through Reading has been a part of connecting military families through reading since 1989. The program does this by providing military service members with the opportunity to record and save storytime moments for their families to enjoy, no matter the distance.

“What we do is video record service members and spouses and anyone else for the special kids in their lives,” Penny Samons-Letrud, United Through Reading Gulf Coast Coordinator said. “So, I would record you or I would record your spouse or even grandparents! We also distribute tens of thousands of free books to military kids all over the world. We are honored to do this for Edwards Air Force Base.”

Along with the Mobile Story Station, the Spring Roadshow included fun activities hosted by the Department of the Air Force School Liaison Program, the Edwards AFB Fire Department and the base commissary. Each attended to celebrate, support and encourage Edwards AFB military children and the unique struggles shared by serving families.

Although every group, organization and volunteer were present with a shared purpose, they each contributed differently and brought their own unique value to the event.

If you missed the Roadshow stop at Edwards, you can download the app and have a similar experience from the comfort of your home.

Slide show

Edwards AFB helps kick off the Month of the Military Child with special event

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

Millions of military family storytime moments are missed because of military life challenges. These moments of bonding, connection and learning are crucial for military families. To honor the Month of the Military Child, Edwards AFB helped combat this challenge by hosting the United through Reading Mobile Story Station Spring Roadshow at the Base Exchange on Edwards AFB, April 1.

United Through Reading is a national nonprofit headquartered in San Diego, California with a unique mission specifically for military families, spouses and anyone else for the special children and their lives.

United Through Reading has been a part of connecting military families through reading since 1989. The program does this by providing military service members with the opportunity to record and save storytime moments for their families to enjoy, no matter the distance.

“What we do is video record service members and spouses and anyone else for the special kids in their lives,” Penny Samons-Letrud, United Through Reading Gulf Coast Coordinator said. “So, I would record you or I would record your spouse or even grandparents! We also distribute tens of thousands of free books to military kids all over the world. We are honored to do this for Edwards Air Force Base.”

Along with the Mobile Story Station, the Spring Roadshow included fun activities hosted by the Department of the Air Force School Liaison Program, the Edwards AFB Fire Department and the base commissary. Each attended to celebrate, support and encourage Edwards AFB military children and the unique struggles shared by serving families.

Although every group, organization and volunteer were present with a shared purpose, they each contributed differently and brought their own unique value to the event.

If you missed the Roadshow stop at Edwards, you can download the app and have a similar experience from the comfort of your home.

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.