Youth Services

Youth Transition Support

We understand that military transitions for children include much more than school plans and enrollment. We have a number of resources to help make your move as easy as possible for the kids, including:

• Military Kids Connect provides online age-appropriate resources to help parents, teachers and children cope with the unique challenges of military life.
• The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children addresses key transition issues military Families experience, including enrollment, placement, attendance, eligibility and graduation. All fifty states have signed the compact and are in varying stages of implementation and/or compliance. The compact applies to children of Active Duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members on active duty orders and members or veterans who are medically discharged or retired within past year.
• School Transition Information: School Liaison Officers are located on each installation to assist military Families with school transition and other education-related issues. Go to Army One Source for more information.
• Military Youth on the Move the Department of Defense designed Military Youth on the Move as one-stop shop for parents and students with moves and deployment.
• Academic and Behavioral Support: We can help you find information and resources for academic and behavioral support, including:
• Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families makes live tutors available online 24/7 to help with more than forty core subjects and standardized test preparation.
• Homework Support: Army Child & Youth Services provides homework labs in before/after school programs for elementary students at the School Age Center, and for middle and high school students at the Youth Center.
• Support/Resilience Programs: School Support Services include information about other programs you can use for support and resilience-related issues.
• Military Family Life Counselors are available to meet in-person on or off the military installation. The free non-medical sessions are anonymous and may occur in individual, couple, family or group settings. Child Behavioral Specialists are located on the installation in Child & Youth Services programs, and in highly-impacted schools located on and off the installation.
• Military One Source has access to free non-medical counseling that’s anonymous and available online, by phone or in person. Twelve free sessions may occur in individual, couple, family or group settings.
• Real Warriors is a multimedia behavioral health support center with tips for helping children cope with deployments and reunions.
• National Military Family Association produces My Military Life, a free iPhone and Android app that provides Families with credible information tailored to your needs.
• SOAR is a free website providing students and parents with tutorials in math, language arts, and SAT/ACT preparation. For more information visit the SOAR website.
• Highly mobile children are entitled to an expedited process, including: a). evaluations in 30 days instead of 60 days, b) removed delays due to school district schedules for families moving during incomplete screenings, c) continued Extended School Year for students moving in the summer.
• The Center for Parent Information and Resources offers education, acronyms, tools, webinars and a directory of local Parent and Information Training Centers to help parents advocate for their children. The center focuses on proactive support and personal accountability.
• Military One Source has a range of resources to help with caring for a family member with special needs including education, health care, legal, financial points of contact, EFMP, School Liaisons, etc.
• Military Community & Family Policy Office of Special Needs provides a directory of age-specific resources and States-at-a-Glance for localized special education resources and information.

The Youth Center is a great place to be for middle and high school students. The Youth Center offers such things as middle school and high school dances, late night basketball, youth sponsorship, potluck dinners, a dance team, gym activities, a cooking club and more. The Youth Center houses a computer lab, a Career Prep program, a Job Ready Program, Character Building programs, Arts and Crafts, and Life skills Programs.

The Youth Center offers comprehensive programs designed to meet the academic, social, and developmental needs of today's youth. After-school transportation to the Youth Center is provided from area schools.

Facility Features:

• Full-court gym used for sports, dances, and instructional programs
• Technology lab
• Art room
• Large cafe area for eating, playing board games, pool and air hockey
• Music/dance studio
• Homework area
• High school lounge

The Youth Center is also an affiliate member of the Boys and Girls club of America, and is a chartered 4-H Club. For more information and to register to participate call 785-239-9222 or stop by building 5800 Thomas Avenue.

Following is a list of some of the programs and activities offered at the Fort Riley Youth Center:

• Full size gymnasium, where dances and large parties are held each month. Daily pick-up games of basketball, volleyball, scooter relays and team challenge games are offered.
• Music studio with equipment to record your own CDs or just rap/jam with friends. A drum set and several electric guitars are available to practice your skills. A dance studio is also available for dance classes, aerobics.
• "Power-Up" computer lab, received from the Boys and Girls Club of America, where youth can get help with their homework, research information on the Internet or just play computer games. A computer technician is available to assist with the computers and provide instructions to the youth that want to learn more about what the computers can do for them.
• Large game room with pool tables, foosball tables, air hockey, board games, and game tables. Youth can play video games and watch videotapes or TV in the TV/video room.
• After school snacks are provide from the full sized kitchen. Youth are welcome to help plan menus for snacks and parties or just help cook. Cooking classes are held and youth do all the planning, budgeting, preparing and serving of the food.
• Volunteer program, where youth can earn volunteer service hours (Junction City High School requires 35 hours of volunteer services for graduation). Some of the teens help with the large Teen Center programs, some serve on the middle School and High School councils, others answer phones, help youth sign-in and set-up/breakdown for special events.
• The Teen Center offers trips to the bowling alley, roller-skating rink, swimming pool, mall, movie theater, amusement parks and skate parks. Special guests are invited to come and show the youth how to play pool, soccer and golf. Special guests also provide educational options and life skills classes.

The Youth Center is open to middle school and high school youth from 3 p.m. - 8 pm Monday, Friday and one Saturday a month for special events with varied hours based upon the event.

Special Middle School camps are available during winter, spring and summer breaks for a modest fee. Special activities and trips are available for youth that sign-up to participate.

Self Registration

Self-registration is an option available to those registering for open recreation only. The self-registration policy is designed to provide the benefits of Youth Center membership while at the same time facilitating the timely and proper processing of needed releases, permissions, and registration documents. Registration forms are available at the Youth Center.

Benefits of self-registration:

• Streamlined application process
• No waiting for an "in-person" registration interview
• Full participation as guest members while paperwork is processed

Enrollment at CYS Parent Central

Patrons seeking before-school or summer services must complete the regular registration process at Parent Central, located at 6620 Normandy Dr. For more information, call 785-239-9885.

For parents desiring supervision for their middle school-aged youth before school, the Youth Center offers Before School services. This is a fee-based service beginning at 5:45 a.m. Monday-Friday. Youth enrolled in this program have the opportunity to start their day with a nutritionally balanced breakfast, homework assistance, and time to socialize with friends. Transportation to the Fort Riley Middle School is provided.

The Youth Center boasts a fully equipped computer lab and homework center, each is facilitated by a fully qualified staff member. Computers can be accessed in both labs for homework and internet surfing. Parents can be reassured that each tech lab is protected by, CYBERsitter, a content filtering software that complies with the Children's Internet Protection Act. Each user will be taught safe internet skills before accessing any of the lab's computers. During specified hours, each facility is open to the public. Home-schooling families are especially encouraged to take advantage of the lab's public hours.

Our affiliation with 4-H and Boys and Girls Clubs of America allows us to provide great activities on a regular basis that include:

Club Tech

The latest in technology and software are available in our youth technology lab. Technology programs introduce youth to digital movie making, music making, photography, Junior PC Technician skills, graphic design, and web development.

Passport to Manhood

This program consists of 14 small group sessions, each focusing on a specific aspect of manhood through highly interactive activities. Each participant is issued his own "passport" to underscore the idea that he is on a journey of maturation and personal growth.

Smart Girls

A health, fitness, prevention/education program for girls, ages 10-15. Healthy attitudes and lifestyles are encouraged to enable early adolescent girls to develop to their full potential.

Youth of the Year

This program is designed to promote and recognize service to Club and Community, academic performance and contributions to family and spiritual life. Clubs select a Youth of the Year who receives a certificate, medallion and may advance to state, regional and national competitions with eligibility to earn valuable scholarships.

Image Makers National Photography Program

Image Makers is a comprehensive photography program that encourages girls and boys to learn and practice photography and to express themselves in creative and innovative ways. Image Makers provides local, regional, and national recognition through an annual photography contest.

National Fine Arts Exhibit

This competition, which encourages creativity through a variety of media, is made up of local, regional, and national exhibits. Young people are encouraged to create artwork in any of the following categories: monochromatic drawing, multicolored drawing, pastels, water color, oil or acrylic paint, print making, mixed media, collage, and sculpture.

Sports and Fitness

Youth are given daily fitness opportunities in our full-size gym and outdoor basketball court (weather permitting). Incorporating healthy lifestyles and triple play games, youth learn about balancing nutrition, activity, and recreation.

4-H Clubs

A positive self-concept, an inquiring mind, a concern for community, healthy interpersonal relationships, and sound decision making are the life skills promoted through various 4-H clubs offered at the Youth Center. Programs include Cooking Club, Arts and Crafts, Photography Club, and Drama where youth and adults learn, grow, and work together.

4-H Free Fair

Youth may participate in the Annual 4-H Free Fair by submitting projects created throughout the year. High-ranking ribbon winners will have their project sent on to the State Fair competition.

Fort Riley has limited employment opportunities targeted specifically targeted at youth through the Workforce Prep Program. There are summer jobs available through Non-appropriate Funds (NAF), but the openings are limited and on a competitive basis. Available openings are posted on usajobs.gov

DECA (Defense Commissary Agency) -- DECA is located in building 2310, Trooper Drive. Interested in bagging groceries? There are job positions for teens 16 and older. Apply at the commissary, or call 785-239-2921, for more information. *DECA works around school and school activities

Babysitting -- get qualified through Child Youth & School Services SKIES Unlimited Babysitting Class to be placed on the babysitter referral list, must be 13 years old to take the class and to be placed on the list. Must preregister call the Central Enrollment Registration (CER) Office at 785-239-4847.

Teen Babysitter Referral List is available through the Central Enrollment Registry (CER) Office, in building 6620. The American Red Cross Babysitter Course, Infant/Child CPR and parental permission are required to be included on the list. Training is available through the Central Enrollment Registration Office.

Club Tech (SAS/YC) -- The latest in technology and software are available in our youth technology labs. Technology programs introduce youth to Digital movie making, music making, Photography, graphic design and web development.

Junior Staff Career Development Program (YC) -- A comprehensive group club program assisting members, ages 11-18 years, to explore a career in youth or human services, particularly Boys and Girls Club work.

Torch Club(YC) -- Small group leadership clubs provide opportunities for youth to take active roles in the community in the areas of community service, education, health and fitness and social recreation. Through Torch Club activities young people learn they can do something meaningful for themselves, their Club and their community.

Passport to Manhood (YC) -- Sessions, each of which concentrates on a Specific aspect of manhood through highly interactive activities. Each participant is issued his own “passport” to underscore the idea that he is on a journey of maturation and personal growth.

Smart Girls (YC) -- A health, fitness, prevention/education program for girls, ages 10-15. It encourages healthy attitudes and lifestyles that enable early adolescent girls to develop to their full potential.

Keystone Club (YC) -- This is a chartered small group leadership club for ages 14-18. Members elect officers, choose their own activities and plan and implement community service projects. A national charter entitles a Keystone Club to participate in regional and national Keystone conferences.

Goals for Growth (YC) -- This program teaches skills for setting and achieving personal, education and career goals.

Job Ready (YC) -- A comprehensive program that teaches young people, ages 16-18, effective job hunting techniques and helps them develop the skills necessary to be successful once on the job.

Career Launch (YC) -- A career exploration and mentoring program for Ages 13-18 . The Career Launch web site allows teens to take an aptitude test, explore careers, identify training or college requirements, seek out financial aid and play skill-building games.

Youth of the Year (YC) -- Designed to promote and recognize service to the club and community. Teens academic performance and contributions to family and spiritual life are the primary focus. This club selects a Youth of the Year who receives a certificate and medallion and may advance to state, regional and national competitions with eligibility to earn valuable scholarships.

Power Hour (YC) -- Provides youth with the support, resources and guidance necessary to complete their homework and start the school day with a sense of confidence and ability. Youth earn Power Points for completion of homework and other educational activities. These points may be redeemed for prizes, activities and incentives.

Ultimate Journey (YC) -- An exciting small group program that helps youth explore and discover the world we live in by introducing them to nature. The ultimate Journey motivates young people to develop an understanding of and sensitivity to the environment, helping them build the knowledge and motivation to protect our natural resources.

Image Makers National Photography Program (YC) -- A comprehensive Photography program that encourages girls and boys to learn and practice photography, expressing themselves in creative and innovative ways. Image Makers provides local, regional, and national recognition through an annual photography contest.

National Fine Arts Exhibit (YC) -- This competition encourages creativity through a variety of media, is made up of local, regional and national exhibits. Young people are encouraged to create art work in any of the following categories: monochromatic drawing, multicolored drawing, pastels, water color, oil or acrylic, print making, mixed media, collage and sculpture.

Don’t Sit Be Fit (YC) -- Programs to improve youth’s knowledge of healthy habits, good nutrition and physical fitness, increase the number of hours per day they participate in physical activities, and strengthen their ability to interact positively with others and engage in healthy relationships. Program include; daily challenges, sports clubs, sports leadership camps, Triple Play Games, Healthy Habits Nutrition Curriculum and social recreation.

Fitness Authority (YC) -- A small group program that promotes fitness in all youth. Weekly sessions cover every aspect of fitness drawing upon themes of sports culture and history, self-esteem, nutrition and physical fitness. The annual Fitness Authority Club-Wide Pentathlon Competition allows Club members of all ages to Demonstrate and test their fitness levels.

Fort Riley Youth Center offers a full court gym used for sports, dances, and instructional programs, a technology lab, art room, a large activity area for eating, playing board games, pool and air hockey a music/dance studio, a homework area and a newly designed high school lounge. 

Deployments affect everyone. Often overlooked, however, are the added stresses and anxiety experienced by older children who, along with school work, take on the added burdens of caring for younger siblings and increased responsibilities in the household. In recognition of the unique challenges faced by teens during times of deployment, the Youth Center offers the following support programs:

R2 Resilience Events

Hosted quarterly, R2 events focus on the positive aspects of the deployment experience, as youth of deployed service members are provided with the tools and skills for personal growth.

Annual Youth Deployment Summer Retreat
A day of fun in the sun at Rock Springs 4-H camp for children with deployed parents. The purpose of the retreat is to give youth the opportunity for positive peer interactions while building personal confidence and developing coping skills at the same time. The basic agenda includes a variety of group and team building activities (such as a low-ropes obstacle course, canoeing, swimming, etc.), as well as some more formal periods of presentation by social work professionals on coping with deployment stresses and reintegration.

Child and Youth Services (CYS) is located in building 6620 on Normandy Drive. CYS MWR- Youth Sponsorship offers a variety of programs from child care to sports events.

Custer Hill Youth Center is located at 5800 Thomas Ave, Fort Riley KS, 785-239-9222

Open Monday - Friday 1 p.m.- 7 p.m. and First Saturday of each month from 2 p.m.-6 p.m.

The Youth Sponsorship Program links the incoming youth with an age appropriate youth living at Fort Riley in order to make the transition here easier. They can communicate prior to arrival about schools, sports, recreational activities and what is available at Fort Riley. A teen will have a better understanding of your problems and feelings about moving to a new community.

Sponsors for your middle school or high school teens are available either through the youth program or school. 

Army Youth Sponsorship Program

The Youth Sponsorship Club can help your teen learn about their new community and make new friends. Getting involved quickly helps children and teens fit in and feel less stress associated with their PCS move. All it takes to join the club is a visit to the school age or youth center or contact the School Liaison Officer.

Youth Sponsorship Registration

Contact your School Liaison Officer (SLO) to request a sponsor.  You can download and use the Youth Sponsorship Request form found at Youth Sponsorship Request Form  to help your SLO pair your child with a compatible sponsor.

Sponsorship helps relocated youth become familiar with their new home at Fort Riley by contacting them before their move, if possible, and helping them settle into a new post. Each quarter a Newcomers Club orients new teens to the Fort Riley Youth Center and its programs. This meeting is held in cooperation with area schools and allows newcomers a chance to meet new peers and get reliable information about their new home, school, and the Youth Center.

To request a Teen Sponsor, contact Youth Services at 785-239-9222.

Welcome to Youth Sports and Fitness! We offer a multitude of programs to CYS-registered families, including Start Smart developmental programs, team sports, individual sports, athletic camps, CYS outreach, special events, and nutrition and health promotion classes, and Outdoor Adventure.

• Start Smart: Children and their parents interact together while learning sports skills to prepare for team sports. Start Smart is offered for soccer, basketball, baseball, flag football, golf, and skill development.
• Team sports: Team sports offered include soccer, basketball, T-ball, baseball, softball, cheer leading, and volleyball and flag football.
• Individual sports: Tennis and running club are among the many individual sports offered throughout the year.
• Athletic camps: Camps includes basketball, soccer, baseball and football camps.
• CYS outreach: Youth Sports and Fitness provides outreach activities for the Youth Center, School-Age Centers, Child Development Centers, and Family Child Care providers. At the Youth Center and School-Age Centers, Youth Sports and Fitness offers intramural sports, indoor and outdoor fitness activities, and health promotion clinics. Fun Fitness activities are provided for CDC and FCC providers.
• Special events: Once a month, Youth Sports and Fitness hosts Family Fitness Night. Families - parents and youth - interact and participate in fun, fast paced fitness activities.
• Nutrition and health promotion classes: Classes on current health information, are offered through School-Age Centers, the Youth Center, and Family Child Care provides, as well as parent education classes at Parent Central Services. Several special events are held throughout the year, including Junior Olympics, Neighborhood Nights, and other national competitions and sports tournaments.
• Outdoor Adventure: A once-a-month program offered to third- through 12th-graders. Outdoor Adventure includes trips and activities throughout the year such as snow tubing, ice skating, canoeing, camping, and much more!

Fort Riley Youth Sports/ Youth Center 785-239-9222. Located in Bldg. 5800.

Youth Sports/ Fitness and Instructional Programs

Thrive is Fort Riley's Christian Youth Program for youth 6th - 12th grade. Meetings are held weekly at Victory Chapel. Contact the Religious Support Office at 785-239-3359 for more information. Skiesunlimited Instructional Program

The SKIESUnlimited program offers a variety of instructional classes such as piano, gymnastic and martial arts. To receive more information or to enroll in any program offered by CYS call 785-239-9885.

The name SKIESUnlimited is an acronym for “School of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration, and Skills” with the word “Unlimited” for the unlimited possibilities this program can offer Army children and youth.

SKIESUnlimited encompasses instructional programs for children and youth ranging from four weeks old to adolescence. Through SKIESUnlimited, children and youth in Child Development Services (CDS), School Age Services (SAS), Fort Riley Youth Center, and Outreach Services (OS) Programs, as well as Home Schooled Children, have equal access to opportunities that expand their knowledge, inspire them, allow them to explore, and acquire new skills.

SKIESUnlimited has a four-school system. The four schools are: School of Sports, School of Arts, School of Life Skills and School of Academic Skills.

Children enrolled in Fort Riley Child & Youth Services are eligible to participate. CYS enrollment is conducted at CYS Central Registration , 6620 Normandy Road 785-239-9885.

A two-week drop notice is required to disenroll from SKIESUnlimited classes. For additional information regarding SKIES, please call  785-239-9885.

CURRENT CLASSES OFFERED:

Music Classes

Private Guitar
Ages 8+ • $50 per month

Dance Classes

Ballet
Ages 2-4, 3-5 and 4-7 • $30 per month

Ballet & Tap
Ages 4-7  • $30 per month

Gymnastics and Tumbling Classes

Beginner Gymnastics
Ages 4-7, 5-7, 6-8, 6-12 and 10-15 • $30 per month

Pre-School
Ages 3-5 • $35 per month

Intermediate Gymnastics or Team
Ages 5-7 • $45 per month

Advanced Gymnastics or Team
By invitation • $55 per month

Academic Assistance

Tutor.com
Free!

Martial Arts

Tae Kwon Do
Ages 3-5 and 6-18 • $35 per month

Hapkido
Ages 3-5, 6-11 and 12-18 • $35 per month
Beginner Hapkido meets Wednesdays, Advanced on Fridays
Teens meet Friday

Workshops

Horse Care and Riding Workshop
Ages 3-18, $30 per session (seasonal activity)
This beginner class includes topics such as safety around horses, care and grooming, equine dentistry, and hoof care. Mini riding lesson and craft project also included.

Home Alone Class
Ages: 10-18, Free
See Parent Central/Webtrac for dates/times
Note: Parents must attend last 30 minutes of class

Babysitting & CPR/First Aid
Ages: 12-18, Free
See Parent Central/Webtrac for dates/times
Note: Must be 13 years of age, as well as attend and pass all sessions of the course in order to be placed on the CYS approved babysitters list.

Introduction to Cooking 1
Ages: 12-18, $35/lesson
See Parent Central/Webtrac for dates/times/cost
Note: Get on your cooking feet to learn recipes and skills for simple, healthy, delicious food. Lesson 1: Knife Skills and Tacos (Lesson 1 is a prerequisite for lessons 2 & 3) Lesson 2: Salads, Dressings, Chicken, & Pear Crisps Lesson 3: Spaghetti, Shrimp, Arugula and Radicchio Salad, & Lemon Ricotta Tart

Basic Baking
Ages: 12-18, $35/lesson
See Parent Central/Webtrac for dates/times/cost Note: Learn the basics of baking pizza, cookies, cakes and sweets from scratch. Lesson 1: Pizza, Pizza, Pizza Lesson 2: Cookies for the Cookie Jar Lesson 3: Basic Cakes and Tarts.

Parent Participation

Wiggles and Giggles
Ages 10 months-3 years • $20 per month

Tumbling with Parent
Ages 1-3 • $30 per month

There is no question that military-connected children and youth face special challenges, and Army CYS believes the youth development benefits that can be derived from participating in SKIESUnlimited are significant. Instructional programs touch every aspect of child and youth development: physical, cognitive, emotional and social.

A student's age and developmental stage must be properly assessed in order to make best use of an instructional program. The latest research shows that young people spend as much as 80 percent of their waking time outside of the classroom. Students involved in after-school instructional programs have been shown to have developed an intellectual and emotional level that will be beneficial well into adulthood. When involved in instructional programs during the critical hours of 3-8 p.m., they are less likely to engage in undesirable behavior.

Children and youth are able to participate in our instructional programs for multiple purposes: to explore new skills, to pursue and nurture personal interests, to interact socially with others, to build a resume, to bolster a college application, or even to foster a close relationship with caring , knowledgeable adults outside of the home. Instructional programs foster the development of critical life, leadership, and social skills.

SKIESUnlimited is looking for instructors in many fields. For further information please contact us at 785-239-9885.