Youth Services

Please contact the Youth Center at 701-747-3150 for program status.

The Youth Center provides a program that offers sponsorship to children who are due to arrive at Grand Forks AFB. This is a viable program that all children should be aware of. Please contact the Youth Center for in-depth information or to request a Youth Sponsor.

The Youth Activities Center at Grand Forks AFB offers a wide variety of sports, leisure, educational and social programs. Activities and programs change monthly. It is best to call on 701-747-3150 for a current schedule of events. The professional and passionate staff plans programs that focus on both individual and group interests of youth and teens. Activities focus on sports and fitness; education and career development; the arts, health, life skills, and character as well as leadership development. A variety of regular activities include field trips, fun nights, specialty camps, pre-teen activities, dance and karate instructional classes, clinics, and lock-ins.

Some of the activities offered throughout the year include:

• Power Hour Homework Tutoring
• Youth Sports/Fitness Programs
• Talent Show
• Piano Classes
• Triple Play Tournaments
• Keystone and Torch Clubs
• Dances
• Waterworld Days
• Preteen/Teen Dances
• Teen Council
• Youth of the Quarter/Year

The Youth Center is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) and is certified by the Department of Defense to operate the School Age Care Program (SAC) and Youth Programs. This center is an affiliate of the Boys and Girls Club of America (BGCA). Through locally designed recreational and educational opportunities that incorporates the BGCA core curriculum, the Youth Center develops activities that assist youth in developing a sense of creating and fostering a positive impact, self-worth, and belonging. The Youth Center has a variety of programs for children including:

Open Recreation Program -- Offered for children 9-18. The program is free and enables children to participate in a variety of activities in the Open Recreation Room, the gymnasium, the computer room, the 4 H club, Boys & Girls Clubs of America Programming as well as various other activities. Power Hour is a homework club that give children the ability to sign themselves in and out daily.

The School Age Program -- Offered for children in K - 8th grade. They can participate in the Before School Care Program, the After School Care Program or both the Before and After School Care programs. Children can be transported to the elementary/middle school on base. Childcare fees are based on household income. Summer Adventure & Play is a summer day care program that offers a wide variety of summertime activities and curriculum that includes swimming, field trips, roller skating and bowling. The Grand Forks Air Force Base Youth Center Torch Club is a chartered small group leadership and service club for youth ages 11 to 13. Torch Club members learn to elect officers and work together to plan and implement activities in the following areas: Service to the Youth Center and Community, Education, Health and Fitness and Social Recreation.

The Grand Forks AFB Youth Center Keystone Club is a chartered club for teens ages 14-18. Members elect their own officers, and the club is designed to help teen members become more productive citizens and leaders. The club focuses on 6 program areas: Service to Club & Community, Leadership Development, Education and Career Exploration, Unity, Free Enterprise, and Social Recreation.

The Youth Center also has a Youth of the Quarter and a Youth of the Year Program for youth ages 14-18. Those selected for Youth of the Quarter will compete for the Base Youth of the Year honors. The winner of the Base Youth of the Year competes at the North Dakota State Youth of the Year Competition.

The Youth Center has a Preteen Game Room (with pool tables, foosball, video games and air hockey), Teen Room, a TV Lounge Area, Computer Center, outside Playground, outside Basketball Court, a Youth Sports Complex, and an Ice Rink/Warming House.

Classes are ongoing and vary depending on age and skill level. Registration costs for the classes vary and are paid monthly.

The Youth Center has several ongoing Programming including:

• Weekly Triple Play Tournaments
• Roller Skating at Liberty Square during the winter months
• Preteen/Teen Movie Nights
• Switch Game Tournament
• AF Fit Factor/Fit Family Programs
• Jr. Career Staff Development for ages 11-18
• Boys & Girls Club and 4-H Activities
• Weekly Arts & Crafts Activities

Contact the Youth Activities Center at 701-747-3150/5031 for program status.

The Youth Activities Center at Grand Forks AFB offers a wide variety of sports, leisure, educational and social programs for DoD children 5 years and older. The variety of programming is extensive, and parents are always welcome and encouraged to visit. One of the main objectives is to provide a variety of opportunities for youth to holistically develop. For additional information contact the Youth Center at 701-747-3150/5031.

Please contact the Youth Center for updated program and youth employment opportunities at 701-747-3150/5031.

Youth sponsorship allows youth ages 5 to 18 to have a point of contact for inbound "Defenders of Liberty” youth. The program "Sponsor Pen Pals" assist participants from other bases help make their move/transition easier by sending them a welcome letter and a sponsor kit. If you are interested in a Youth Sponsorship Application, please contact the Youth Center at 701-747-3150.

Employment opportunities for youth on base are limited. Waiting tables, bagging groceries at the commissary, and fast-food positions are available through Non-Appropriated Funds (NAF), AAFES and the commissary (DECA). Youth summer hire programs may or may not be offered each year depending on funding.

Volunteer Opportunities:

• The AF YES (Youth Employment Skill) program for youth in high school
• Junior Staff Career Development Program for youth ages 11-18
• President's Volunteer Service Award (honors individuals, families and/or groups)
• The Congressional Award for ages 14-23.

Several different sports are organized throughout the year. They include Floor Hockey, Baseball or Softball, T-ball, Basketball and Fall & Spring Soccer. Grand Forks AFB Youth Center also offers a variety of Summer Sports Camps including: Basketball, Archery, Dance/Cheerleading, Soccer and Tennis.

Start Smart Youth Development Programs are offered for youth ages 3-5 (Soccer, Basketball, and Baseball). These programs instruct youth through sport in a fun environment. Smart Start is an eight-week program offered through the National Alliance for Youth Sports with a goal to develop sports techniques in a enjoyable and safe environment with the focus on fundamentals.

The Youth Center also offers participation in the "Jr. Olympics" where an estimated 70,000 youth athletes compete yearly, The Armed Forces Kids Run which is the largest youth event in the world, "Pitch, Hit and Run", "Punt, Pass and Kick" competitions.

Contact the Youth center for volunteer opportunities and additional information at 701-747-3150.