Youth Services

JBER Youth Programs (YP) offer a range of positive activities that promotes healthy development for youth, ages 9-18 years. The goal of YP is to provide programs that encompass a variety of safe, supervised activities for pre-teens (9-12) and teens (13-18) on weekdays during out of school hours, and evenings. The programs offered within YP promote youth development in the following four service areas:

• Sports and Fitness
• Leisure and Recreation
• Mentoring and Support
• Life Skills and Leadership
• Youth Sponsorship Program

Youth Sponsorship
Youth Programs would like to help any and all children and youth transitioning to a new location. If you have any further questions about Youth Programs, or if you are interested in being connected with a youth sponsor upon arrival, please give us a call at 907-384-1508 or 907-384-1505. The Youth Sponsorship Program links the incoming youth with an age-appropriate youth living at JBER to ensure a smooth transition and a warm welcome. They can communicate prior to arrival about schools, sports, recreational activities and what is available at JBER.

Youth Centers
Two Rivers Youth Center (Ft. Richardson side) and Kennecott Youth Center (Elmendorf side) provide many programs available to youth ages 9-18. Our youth centers are very active in enriching the lives of each youth. In close partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs of America and 4-H, we provide a wide variety of activities.

Each center has a tech lab that provides computers for homework and video games. There are also frequent STEM activities, such as 3D printing, egg-drop challenges, and digital photography. Our art areas have a wide variety of mediums to work with, and there are also musical instruments for those who prefer others to hear their creativity. Two Rivers and Kennecott Youth Centers provide large gyms and with a multitude of sports and recreational options, even rock climbing! The art areas are stocked with a wide variety of mediums to work with, as well as a weekly Art Club. If you prefer the musical arts, we also have musical instruments.

Youth have access a selection of clubs, such as Keystone and Torch (leadership and community service), Art Clubs, Cooking Clubs and Photography Clubs. Military youth and families can even enjoy our evening events like movie nights, holiday events and talent shows!

The teen programs offer additional opportunities. The following are some of the many choices for teens to engage in:

• Pool and Ping Pong
• Video games, including VR!
• College Preparation
• Workforce Readiness
• Music and Digital Production
• Game and Graphic Design
• Monthly teen-only events

We would love to hear from you once you arrive and give you a tour! Call Two Rivers at 907-384-1508 or Kennecott at 907-552-2266

Military Youth of the Year
Every year, Two Rivers and Kennecott Youth Centers select an exemplary teen member to represent them in the BGCA Military Youth of the Year events. Teens go on to compete sequentially in the Alaska, Pacific Regional, and National events. With each level of selection comes scholarships, grants, and career opportunities. This is not all-business, though. Candidates get to meet new people travel, and enjoy plenty of activities along the way.

Youth Sports
JBER Youth Sports provides recreational leagues for children ages 5 – 18 to include:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cheerleading
• Indoor Soccer
• Outdoor Soccer
• Softball
• Volleyball

Each sport supports youth development enhancing the emotional, physical, social and educational well-being of each participating youth. We provide a fun-filled experience with positive role models that serve as coaches, assistant coaches and team parents. Any eligible child can register and be assigned to a team, regardless of athletic ability. Our philosophy upholds the old adage, “It is better to play on a losing team, than sit on the bench of a winning team.”

All volunteer coaches receive a national certification through the National Youth Sports Coaches Association. Background checks are conducted on all volunteers. Playing rules, equipment, and playing fields/areas are scaled to maximize safety and performance. The Youth Sports director, all coaches, and all umpires are responsible for ensuring the safety of equipment and playing fields prior to each game and practice. All coaches must complete CPR and First Aid training.

Eligibility - All children are required to have a physical exam and a current immunizations record on file to include the annual flu shot. Parents may request a religious waiver for vaccines.  A physical exam must be completed within one year of the start of the season in order to be accepted. All required documentation for Child and Youth Services must also be completed as well as an active youth membership.

If you would like to volunteer to be part of this year's program, please contact the Sports Director or Staff at 907-552-5308. Volunteers will receive discounts on their child's registration.

Instructional Youth Programs
Military youth have the opportunity to learn specialized skills through our Instructional Youth Programs (IYP).

Classes offered by JBER IYP have included gymnastics, dance, martial arts, magic, and various music classes. The classes offered are updated regularly, check the JBER Life website for the most up-to-date listings.