Youth Programs
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The Youth Center can accommodate approximately 120 children ages 5-12 in the School Age Program. We offer a diverse activity schedule to meet the needs and interests of Shaw's youth. The center is equipped with a gymnasium, outdoor basketball court and playground, art studio, and a variety of activity rooms. Our Youth Annex located in the 5000 Housing Area provides activities for Tweens (ages 9-12) and Teens (ages 13-18). The center also operates the Youth Sports Complex located on the far side of the flight line by the FamCamp. Special Family Events are important to military families. The military has often emphasized the vital role families play in support of the Air Force mission. We offer many family events to allow children of all ages to participate in a variety of activities with their family. These events include, but are not limited to: USDA Food Program - this facility is operated in accordance with the US Department of Agriculture policy. All Youth Programs prohibit the use of alcohol, illegal substances and tobacco. For a list of great Youth Resources click here! The School-Age Program offers a wide range of physical as well as quiet activities. An indoor gym and an outside area are available as daily choices for physical activities. A library room offers an appealing area to finish schoolwork. A Discovery Room provides a place to explore new interest areas. Our creative art room allows children to be creative and express themselves through art. An Almost Grown Zone offer programs for ages 9-12 and have a chartered B&G Torch Club with 15 active members. The staff completes activity plans weekly with input from the children. The School-Age Program offers childcare before school beginning at 6:30 AM to 7:20 AM, at which time they are taken to school. After school care begins at 2:30 p.m. and closes at 6:00 p.m., transportation is provided for a small fee or children 9 and older are welcome to walk. On teacher workdays the center provides all-day care from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. During spring, winter and summer break the center offers all day care filled with a variety of activities and field trips. A USDA approved breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack are provided daily. School-Age fees are based on combined family income and can be determined at time of registration. TWEEN PROGRAM TEEN PROGRAM Hours of operation: Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The Youth Sports Complex located on the far side of the flight line by the FamCamp is also operated by the Youth Center. It consists of 3 lighted baseball/softball fields, 1 multi-purpose field and 2 lighted soccer fields. The complex also offers a full concession stand, a playground, and a pavilion. Our philosophy and mission is to provide organized leagues as well as informal sports and fitness activities for youth ages 4-17. Our goal is to provide every participant an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of whatever particular sport they choose. We want to place the kids in a fun and learning environment that ranges from noncompetitive to low-key competitive for younger ages 4-10, and a normal competitive environment for ages 11-17. Shaw AFB Youth Programs has fully implemented the National Standards for Youth Sports and is in strict accordance and compliance with AFI 34-249 and AFMAN 34-804. Combined, these two instruments insure that every youth comes away from our program with a positive and rewarding experience. Volunteer Coaches are the backbone to the youth sports program. If you love sports and enjoy children this is the job for you! Volunteering is a wonderful way to give back to the Shaw community. Contact the Youth Sports Director at 895-2251 for information on registration, and volunteer opportunities for coaching. Baseball, Softball, and Tee Ball for ages 4 to 16 are offered in the spring. Registration begins in February. Late registrations are not accepted unless you have just arrived at Shaw AFB. Once teams are assigned and uniforms ordered there are no further registrations accepted or refunds given. Practices begin in March and the season will end in June. The registration fee covers the cost of the uniforms and umpires. Summer Sport Camps are offered throughout the summer. A variety of sports are offered for these camps such as Soccer, Basketball, and Extreme Outdoors. Soccer is held in the fall. Registration begins in July, practices Basketball and Cheerleading are offered in the winter. Registration begins in October, practices begin in December and the season will end in March. Flag Football - usually in the winter but depends on number of requests. Please note: There will be no Youth Center scheduled practices during the Christmas holidays, however a coach may request gym time. Schedules will be sent via email to coaches one week prior to practices and season games. Dates are subject to change without notice. Call to confirm schedule 895-2251.
Tween (ages 9-12) time at the Annex is offered Mon thru Fri from 2:30 to 5 p.m., and Sat. from 1 to 5 p.m. Tweens have run of the program during this time to play pool, Ping-Pong, use the computers, and much more. This is also when Power Hour, Torch Club and 4-H Club offers a variety of leadership skills and community service opportunities. Tween Lock-ins are scheduled throughout the year. During the lock-ins, tweens can enjoy a night of activities such as bowling, skating, movies, pizza, talent contest and much more. We also offer various programs throughout the month. Tween dances are another example of the special events we provide for our preteens. There is a $25 annual membership fee.
Teen time is offered after school until 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday 1 - 5 p.m. Youth Annex membership is $25 annually. The membership allows you into the club and discounts on some of the teen’s trips and events. The after school program offers a variety of self-directed activities such as pool, ping-pong, board games and much more. Planned activities might include Power Hour study time, cooking class, arts and crafts, photography, job ready, and more. Special events are scheduled on Saturdays such as Lock-ins, dances, basketball tournaments, bowling and more. A Youth of the Year is selected every year to represent Shaw for the State Youth of the Year competition. If selected by state representative the youth will compete against all youth of the year contestants across the world with the opportunity to meet the President of the United States.