Youth summer camps offer engagement, growth

Three sports camps offered in Washington state

By Debbie Aragon, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Public Affairs on May 9, 2019

It may seem far away, but schools will be out for the summer before most realize. How are you going to keep your kids engaged and excited during their break and give them opportunities to grow?

The Air Force Services Activity, headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, manages many programs designed specifically for kids, to include a variety of summer camps -- both residential and at home station.

"The camps offer youth the chance to participate in fun activities, establish friendships and grow their knowledge and experience in areas they're excited about," said Patti Mehrens, AFSVA Child and Youth Programs Division chief.

For 2019, online applications aren't available for Air Force Youth Camps. The application form, located at myairforcelife.com/Youth/2019-Youth-Camps-Application.pdf, must be completed by an appropriate sponsor and submitted via email at AFFCCSystem.Admin-02@us.af.mil. Sponsors can visit installation child and youth programs for more information on the camps and application process.

Air Force Youth Programs residential camps for 2019 are:

Air Force Teen Aviation Camp -- Application must be submitted by May 30. The camp is June 26-July 2 at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Air Force Space Camp -- Application must be submitted by June 10 and two sessions are offered. Session 1 is July 21-26 and session 2 is July 28-Aug. 2 in Huntsville, Alabama.

Air Force Teen Leadership Summits -- Application must be submitted by June 10 and three sessions are offered; July 7-12 at Jekyll Island, Georgia, July 21-26 at the Wahsega 4-H Center in Dahlonega, Georgia, and Aug. 5-10 at Cheley Camp in Estes Park, Colorado.

There's also a variety of 2019 Air Force Youth Residential Sports Camps.

Application deadline for the following individual residential sports camps is no later than 30 days prior to the start of each camp:

Nike Girls Basketball Camp, June 16-19, Wingate University, Wingate, North Carolina

Nike Boys Basketball Camp, June 23-26, Wingate University

Nike Co-ed Swim Camp, June 23-26, Seattle University, Seattle

Nike Co-ed Soccer Camp, June 23-26, Oglethorpe University, Atlanta

Nike Girls Softball Camp, July 7-11, Curry College, Milton, Massachusetts

Contact Boys Football Camp, July 7-10, Curry College

Complete Player Jr. Co-ed Basketball Camp, July 15-18, Spokane

Xcelerate Nike Missouri Boys Lacrosse Camp, July 8-11, Saint Louis University, St. Louis

Xcelerate Nike Missouri Girls Lacrosse Camp, July 8-11, Saint Louis University

Nike Co-ed Volleyball Camp, July 15-19, University of California, Santa Cruz, California

Big League Boys Baseball Camp with two sessions offered, July 21-25 and July 28-Aug. 1, Lawrenceville, New Jersey

Nike Co-ed Peak Performance Swim Camp, July 22-26, University of Washington, Seattle

Nike Co-ed Soccer Camp, Aug. 4-7, San Diego State University, San Diego, California

Additional youth summer camps offered at each Air Force installation vary but can include: science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), sports, theater, cooking and archery. Parents or guardians should contact their installation youth programs for further information.