Joint Base Lewis-McChord community members don't need to travel far to participate in extracurricular classes, but the benefits derived from them might help to take them far - along with their children - in their life pursuits.

The Schools of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration and Skills Unlimited is a program provided to military Families through Child, Youth and School Services. SKIES offers instructional programming in academics, arts, life skills and sports for infants through 18. Classes are held in the SKIES Unlimited building on Garcia Boulevard in the New Hillside housing community of Lewis Main. Select classes are held at the McChord Field Youth Center on Dogwood Street.

SKIES Unlimitied classes include dance, fine arts, karate, gymnastics, boxing, fencing, piano, theater and science. Many might have been offered in school at some point, but due to budget cuts or other reasons, they are no longer available. SKIES not only fulfills those missing enrichment classes, but it does so at a low cost.

We work really hard to charge a lot less here on post than what people would get off post," said Cindy Arnold, professional actress and director with SKIES. "In saying that, we have a really fabulous faculty of teachers who are committed to that."

Aside from competitive rates, Arnold believes SKIES is successful because the program is designed to recognize that all children are unique and learn differently. Arnold and faculty also take pride in knowing they are providing enrichment to a demographic of children whose lives are fluid and at times unstable due to outside stressors.

"We really have our eyes on the fact that there are so many deployments and there is so much shifting in children's lives," she said. "We're very sensitive to that and do everything we can to help support their needs."

The SKIES Unlimited location on Lewis Main has been open for just over one year and features 11 classrooms, including an outdoor area. Arnold is working towards adding new teachers and inviting local child development centers and elementary schools to join SKIES during the school day. It would be a way of getting maximum usage from the state-of-the-art building while enriching children's experiences during the day, Arnold said. She is also encouraging the JBLM community to get involved by voicing what they would like to see SKIES offer.

"We focus on thinking ‘outside the box' by looking at the facility and using it in its full potential," Arnold said. "We just love people to come see and meet us - to have folks come to our building and learn who we are and in return learn more about what they'd like to see from us."