Youth Services

The Youth Activities Center (YAC) is the focal point for all youth activities at Edwards. A wide range of supervised and organized programs is available to youth ages 5 to 18. Youth, age 13 and older, may find additional programs available through the Teen Center. The YAC offers an array of youth and pre-teen activities including dances, holiday and family events and trips. Contact the Youth Center for a full listing, 661-275-5437, DSN 312-525-5437.

Youth Center

The Youth Activities Center (YAC) is the focal point for all youth activities at Edwards. A wide range of supervised and organized programs are available to youth ages 5 to 18. Youth, age 13 and older, may find additional programs available through the Teen Center.

The Youth Center has targeted programs scheduled for each school year, and every summer the Youth Center offers ‘Summer Camp’.  Instructional or dance classes are scheduled according to availability of instructors but typically run throughout the school year.

Fees vary according to total household income and are calculated based on the total household gross income.  Payments are usually made on a weekly basis and monthly payments are optional.

Enrollments are done at the Youth Center Annex, Building 6459.  Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 6:15 a.m.  to 6 p.m.  For more information, contact 661-275-7529, 661-275-5437 or DSN 312-527-7529, 312-527-5437.

Teen Center

The Teen Center, designed to allow teens a place of their own, provides after-school and weekend activities for teens ages 13 to 18, in grades seven through 12.

The facility includes:

• a large homework area
• computer stations
• dance floor and DJ/karaoke stand
• video games
• large screen television and comfortable seating
• conference room 

Youth Recreation and Sports

The Youth Center facilitates the Youth Sports and Fitness Program for children ages 5 to 18. The program offers a wide range of sports activities throughout the year and provides children a chance to compete and gain instruction and confidence in such sports as cheerleading, basketball, baseball, softball and soccer.  Clinics in the area of basketball, softball and golf are available as well.

Professional instruction is available through the center for ballet, tap, dance, gymnastics and karate. The center relies on both youth and parents to take an active role in shaping programs.

Youth Sponsorship

The Teens on the Move Sponsorship Program sponsored by the Youth Center helps teens make the move from one base to another more smoothly. The program promotes a positive transition to life within the Edwards community by pairing incoming teens with teen sponsors. From the teen sponsor, the incoming teen may receive information on base life from a peer's perspective. To find out more information, contact the Youth Center.

Youth Social Programs

The YAC offers an array of youth and pre-teen activities including dances, holiday and family events and trips, as well as after-school activities for children ages 9 to 12. During the summer, activities are provided Monday through Friday, noon to 6 p.m. Activities are offered that utilize the Center's outdoor playgrounds, pool tables, ping-pong tables, homework area, computer lab, gymnasium, arts and crafts room, music room, foosball tables and snack bar area.

A number of youth participate in one or more of the clubs that are offered at the Youth Center. Trips to popular destinations in the southern California area are also offered for a nominal fee.

Youth Religious Programs

The Base Chapel hosts Protestant and Catholic youth programs.  AWANA, a youth religious program for youths ages 3 to18, is sponsored by the Protestant Chaplains and meets Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m at Chapel 2.  Sunday School for all ages is from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The Catholic Religious Education (CCD) is on Sunday, 11 a.m. to noon, and open to youth ages 4 plus.  The Catholic Youth of the Chapel (CYO) meet every first and third Sunday, 5 to 7 p.m., Chapel 2, for grades nine through 12.  Junior CYO meets every first and third Saturday, 4 to 7 p.m., Chapel 2, and is open to grades seven and eight.  For more information, contact 661-277-2110, DSN 312-527-2110.

Boys and Girls Clubs

The YAC is an affiliated member of the Boys and Girls Club of America (BGCA) and offers many BGCA programs, as well as Air Force and Edwards-unique programs.

Students may accumulate a potential $1,000 maximum over all four high school years combined. In addition, the participating base youth program will "bank" base community credits at a rate of $2 for every hour volunteered per student, up to a maximum of $10,000 per program year. For purposes of this program, a "program year" is defined as the 12 month period beginning 1 June through 31 May of each year. For more information, contact the Teen Coordinator or Youth Director.