Tween Activities
The Minot AFB Youth Center is an affiliate of the Boys and Girls Club of America, Youth Programs at Minot AFB strives to offer the best in the wholesome and worthwhile leisure time activities for the family members of active duty, retired military and civilian employees of the base. Parent participation is highly encouraged and any volunteer for sports activities or from someone with knowledge and expertise in a specific field is always welcome.
Through the BGCA core curriculum and locally designed with the tools for inspiring and enabling young people to realize their full potential with recreational and educational opportunities, we provide activities that help youth develop a sense of usefulness, belonging, competence and influence.
Our professional staff prides itself in planning programs to meet the individual and group interests of youth and teens. Our facility is full of examples of the work of youth and of projects and programs they have participated in. Activities focus on character and leadership development, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation, and education and career development. Regular activities include field trips, fun nights, specialty camps, pre-teen activities, dances, instructional classes, clinics, late niters and more.
The Youth Center has an active 4-H Program. The Northern Lights 4-H Club was established in August 2003. The programs success comes from the involvement of parents; volunteer leaders and other adult’s who provide youth development programs. 4-H uses “learn by doing” projects, club meetings, community service activities and education events for young people, as they work toward developing “skills for life.” 4-H is open to all youth, ages 5-19. Members ages 5-7 are in noncompetitive program called Cloverbuds, members ages 8-19 are eligible for full membership in the program. It is a requirement to be a Youth Center member to participate.
Youth Sponsorship Program
WINK "Welcoming In New Kids"
Youth Sponsorship helps relocated youth to become familiar with their new home at Minot AFB, North Dakota. Military children are part of a very mobile society. "Welcoming In New Kids" is a pen pal program that makes moving easier. While frequent relocations are something military youth become accustomed to, the transition to a new community and school is never easy. We understand! To make the transition easier for you and your children, get connected with the Youth Sponsorship Program - WINK, a part of the Minot AFB Youth Programs. Sponsors are matched to youth according to their gender, age, and interests. The sponsors escort incoming youth around the base, school area, and Youth Programs. They introduce the new arrival to others within their age/grade level and to the various activities.
Open Recreation Program
Youth ages 9-18, still attending school, are encouraged to take part in our Open Recreation Program. In addition to regular activities including billiards, roller skating, arts and crafts, many other special programs are planned throughout the year.
Members of open recreation can use their membership cards to check out equipment and receive discounts on special dances and other events. The Youth Center has a basketball court, board game area, arts & crafts, a quiet area, construction area, stage, snack bar and computer lab available. Nonmembers will be charged one dollar per visit. Open Recreation membership is only $30.00 for a year, and expires September 30 of the current fiscal year.
Clubs
Power Hour
Club professionals with strategies, activities, resources and information to create an engaging homework help and tutoring program that encourages members to become self-directed learners.
Art Club
Quarterly projects that build on new artistic skills, concepts, and artists. Ages 9-18 welcome. Se calendar for dates and times. Projects may be taken home or kept at youth center to be entered into BGCA Fine Arts Competition.
Health and Life Skills Club
This club changes topics quarterly to build on projects that focus on healthy living and developing strong life skills that interest youth such as Girls Making a Difference, Passport to Manhood, Money Matters, or Creative Cooking.
Cooking Club
Learn how to measure, chop & alter a recipe for ages 9-18
Fitness Club
Quarterly program that strives to give youth fun new experiences in the realm of sports, fitness, and social recreation. Youth may log Fit Factor points and participate in the Presidential Fitness Challenge by participating in daily events!
Torch Club
This club runs year round as a character and leadership club for preteens. This club is focused on guiding preteens to take pride in their club and making an impact on other youth by planning and organizing social activities, promoting fitness, and volunteering to help others. They also run the Snack Shack on Fridays to raise funds for community service projects and participate weekly in the BE Great Program.
Career and Education Club
Every quarter youth will explore new ways to look at the world and their potential future through clubs such as Dirty Jobs, Skill Tech, Environmental Wonders, and Mad Scientists
Above and Beyond Tutoring Program
A volunteer in this program assists an “Above and Beyond” student to develop proficiency skills for school in a specific subject area. For additional information please call the Youth Center at 723-2838.
Fine Arts Exhibit
This program encourages artistic expression among Club members by drawing, painting, print making, collage, mixed media and sculpture. Submissions are displayed at local and regional exhibits.
Imagemakers
Imagemakers is sponsored by Circuit City Foundation. The program encourages individuals to learn and practice different forms of photography. Photographs may be submitted to regional and national competitions.
NetSmartz
A comprehensive program for Missing and Exploited children, teaches members Internet safety skills through engaging multimedia activities.
SMART Girls
Ages 9 to 12 and 13-17
SMART Girls is a program to help girls develop healthy attitudes and lifestyles. The program addresses health and social issues that are specific to female Club members. SMART Girls is designed for girls 9 to 12 and 13 to 17 years of age, according to their physiological, mental and emotional needs. The program is intended to help girls make smart decisions at this critical stage in their development.
Volunteers
As always, we are looking for volunteers to be a part of our team. Parent participation in various programs is highly encouraged. The Youth Center appreciates any spare time volunteered to aid with various sports activities, or knowledge and expertise offered in a specific field. Our main goal is to provide a fun, positive environment for children and their families. In order to achieve this we ask that our volunteers and parents be positive role models, exhibiting sportsmanlike behavior and always putting the child first. Join our winning team today!
Please volunteer at the Youth Center or call 701-723-2838 for more information.