Youth Services

The Youth Programs (YP) staff warmly welcomes you to the Fort Drum Military Community. Youth Programs strives to achieve a balanced and enriched program that will attract youth both on and off the garrison. purpose is to provide consistent and comprehensive opportunities for youth to develop their physical, social, emotional, and cognitive abilities.  Programs and activities are offered free of charge to eligible middle school and high school youth, grades 6 through 12.  We pledge our best efforts in serving you and your Family.

Youth Programs offers recreation, leisure, and developmental programming for middle and high school youth. Youth Development programming includes teen workshops, job enrichment, youth leadership opportunities, youth councils, volunteer opportunities, and computer enrichment. Youth Programs partners with national organizations such as 4-H and Boys and Girls Clubs of America. These partnerships allow us to offer time tested, quality programs for teens.

Registration

All youth wishing to participate in Youth Programs must be registered.  Our streamlined registration process makes becoming a member an easy process and best of all it is 100% FREE! The one-page simplified registration form can be picked up at the youth center or printed off the Fort Drum Website.  Once the form is completed, return it to the Youth Center, building 10788 Chapel Drive. A staff member will review the form and call the parents to confirm information on the form. After the confirmation process, three membership fobs will be issued to the family. The membership fob is needed to enter the facility. Additional forms are needed for youth with medical conditions.  Additional information and the registration for can be found at https://drum.armymwr.com/programs/youth-center-and-youth-programs

Non-members may visit the center a maximum of three times, while deciding if they want to become members.

Youth Center

The youth center is located in building P-10788 on Chapel Drive, which is a block behind the AAFES PX and Commissary shopping center. Please see the contacts list for hours of operation by grade level. The youth center has 18,000 square feet of programmable space and it includes:

•  gymnasium
• Outdoor basketball courts
• Seven separate activity spaces
• The latest video game consoles with up-to-date games
• USDA Meals served daily free of charge
• A homework center staffed with a teacher to assist
• Technology and Fine Arts support for the home school program
• A state-of-the-art computer lab staffed with a knowledgeable instructor who can assist you in all your computer/multimedia needs
• A fine arts program instructed by experienced instructor
• Participation in the Boys and Girls Clubs of America National Fine Arts Program Exhibits.
• Extended hours for summer and school out days
• Special events: dances, game nights, trips, talent shows, and lock-ins
• Access to outside sports fields adjacent to the youth center
• Rock Climbing Wall - Required permission slips available at the Youth Center 

Programming

Youth Program offer both directed (facilitated) and self-directed (non-facilitated) programming in five service areas.  A minimum of one service area will be directed (facilitated) daily and all five service areas will be available (non-facilitated) daily.  All five service areas will be represented formally a minimum of once per week as a directed (facilitated) program.

• The five service areas are described below

Education and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Program

year-round education and STEM program is offered, (i.e., Power Hour and Summer Brain Gain). Army Library Program online resources are available for eligible users. These programs complement and reinforce what youth learn during the school day while creating experiences that drive interest and build a capacity for success in these disciplines. Year-round workforce preparation and financial literacy programs, (e.g., Career Launch and Money Matters) are offered.

 Leadership and Service

A year-round service and leadership program is offered. Teen Chain of Communication (TCC), Garrison Youth Council (GYC), Junior Staff Development, Teen Panel and Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) are leadership development programs offered though out the year.  Youth recognition programs (e.g., Youth of the Year and Month) are also offered.

 Health and Wellness Programs

 resiliency, health, life skill and wellness programs are required, (e.g.,  communication strategies, peer to peer communications, elements of positive relationships, resilience, and home alone skills). Youth Sponsorship Programs are required by law and are integrated into monthly programming.

The Arts

The Arts (Digital, Fine, Applied, and Performing) Programs encourage imagination and self-expression and help youth develop knowledge and understanding of specific arts forms. Year-round photography and fine arts programming, (e.g., participation in annual exhibits and competitions) are available.

Sports and Recreation Programs

Provide opportunities for youth to enhance relationships with themselves and others, regulate emotions, and solve problems by developing social-emotional skills. Year-round sports, leisure, fitness, and recreation programs are offered, i.e., Triple Play. Cultural and recreational trips, adventure experiences, camps competitions, and social events are offered.

Youth Sponsorship and Youth Connecting with Youth

This program is designed to ease the fears of teens that are in the process of transitioning to or from Fort Drum. Sponsors are matched with incoming teens based on gender, age, and interests. The sponsors then serve as guide for incoming youth. They introduce the new arrival to others within their age/grade level and to the various activities. The Youth Center conducts various programs and activities quarterly for sponsors and new arrivals. Availability of a youth sponsor is dependent upon how many  are signed up to be a youth sponsor.

Sponsor request forms can be found on the Fort Drum MWR Youth Center website. Please complete the form and mail it to Parent Central Programs, Clark Hall, building P10720, Fort Drum NY 13602 or email drum.mwrcer@conus.army.mil.

E-mail your name, age, grade, hobbies, interests, sports and whatever information you would like to share to help us find the right youth sponsor for you to the e-mail address listed above. If you know what unit your Soldier sponsor is going to, include that too. You may also write a letter to:

Youth Programs Attn: Sponsorship Program
P10788 Chapel Drive
Fort Drum, NY 13602-5000

Youth in the community that wish to sponsor an incoming youth must register with the Youth Sponsorship Program Coordinator, have parental permission and attend required training. Being a Youth Sponsor helps to build life skills and develops leadership.