Youth Services

Porter Youth Center is relatively new, and offers the full range of preteen and teen programs. The administrative offices for the Youth and School Age Services program are located at Porter. Out of school care, sports, instructional classes and social, recreational and leisure activities are provided for eligible families at Porter Youth Center.  For more information call 831-242-7821.

The Porter Youth Center is located at Building 4283 General Jim Moore Boulevard, on the corner of Normandy and General Jim Moore Boulevard on Ord Military Community. Porter Youth Center is nationally accredited through the National Afterschool Association (NAA). The center strives to provide a safe, healthy, fun place for children to relax, socialize and just be a kid. Its programs enrich their childhood years through positive experiences during out-of-school hours, and provides many opportunities for success by fostering self-acceptance, self-esteem, and independence.

Programming includes four service areas:

• Recreation & Leisure: Planned activities such as field trips, weekend lock-ins and a variety of games.
• Sports & Fitness: Daily sports and fitness activities and seasonal organized sports such as baseball, football, etc.
• Mentoring & Support Services: Includes “Power Hour” homework lab, tutoring class and parent & youth support groups.
• Life Skills & Citizenship: Computer lab, community services, youth sponsorship and home-alone skills are offered.

For more information, contact the Porter Youth Center at 831-242-7823, DSN 312-768-7823.

Youth Sponsorship

The School Liaison Officer facilitates the Youth Sponsorship program for the Presidio of Monterey. Youth Sponsorship is a way to match relocating military youth with a youth at the new installation, to answer their questions, send them information, and maybe take them around the new installation once they arrive. Nobody knows a place better form the young person’s perspective than another young person who has been living in the area for awhile.

To become a youth sponsor a youth will submit an application form with parental approval and complete Youth Sponsorship training. To request a youth sponsor an incoming youth can either email or mail a request for a sponsor. Information about requesting a youth sponsor can be found on the DLI/POM website: 

School-Age Services (SAS)

SAS is for children in kindergarten through 5^th grade. SAS provides high-quality, low-cost before and after-school care throughout the school year. Care is also available for school holidays, breaks and summer vacation. Hourly care is also available and children grades 1-5 are eligible for 5 free hours per month.

Daily activities include arts & crafts, open recreation, science, cooking, homework lab, and outside play. Special activities include karaoke, field trips, dances, talent shows and special interest clubs.  SAS is a member of the 4H Club and the Boys and Girls Club. Hours are 6:30 a.m - 6 p.m., Monday thru Friday. For more information, call 831-242-7823, DSN 312-768-7823.

Middle-School/Teen (MST)

The MST program offers services for children grade 6 through age 18. A variety of activities are available including basketball, movies, video games, chess, photography, homework lab, computers, and music. Also offered are teen clubs, service projects, field trips, afternoon snack and more. MST is a member of the 4H Club and the Boys and Girls Club.

The teen program drop-in schedule is weekday afternoons and Saturdays. Weekday morning care is also available for an additional fee. Afternoon care for younger middle schoolers is available, similar to SAS for those who want a more structured environment. Bus transportation to and from Fitch Middle School is offered for a nominal charge or is included with the morning care fee.  MST is open for extended hours during school breaks and teacher in-service days.  Field trips and special activities are available for an additional fee during certain extended hours programs.

Hours are Monday thru Thursday, 3 p.m. - 8 p.m.; Friday 3 - 10 p.m.; and Saturday noon - 6 p.m. For more information call 831-242-7821, DSN 312-768-7821.

SKIES Unlimited (School of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration and Scholarship)

Instructional classes may include ballet, gymnastics, martial arts, and music.  Other classes are offered depending on interest. If you have a special talent or skill and would like to teach a class, please contact 831-242-7197 to find out more about becoming a SKIES instructor.

Youth Sports Program

A variety of sports opportunities are offered for children ages 4 through grade 12, including (but not limited to): basketball - offered December to March, ages 6 and up, baseball – offered March to June, ages 5 and up, track – offered March to June for ages 5 and up, and soccer – offered July to November for ages 4 and up.  A Sports Physical is required before eligible children can participate. Coaches are parent volunteers; if you are interested in coaching please contact 831-242-7809 for more information and to receive a volunteer packet.

Youth Employment

Employment opportunities for youth in Monterey County, as with the rest of the country, are somewhat limited. There are two youth employment programs operated by the State of California Employment Development Department: the Youth Employment Opportunity Program (YEOP), and the Summer Youth Programs offered by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).

The YEOP offers special services to youth ages 15-21, including peer advising, referrals to supportive services, workshops, job referrals and placement assistance and referrals to training and community outreach efforts. Programs are reached through one-stop career centers and workforce career offices throughout the state.  The website contains information for youth programs offered by WIA.

Youth Religious Programs

The Chapel at Ord Military Community, which is located at Building 4280 General Jim Moore, has two different youth religious programs. Club Beyond, part of Young Life Youth Ministries, is a Christian youth group for middle school and high school students, meeting Monday evenings from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. There is also a Bible Study and Teen Fellowship group which meets on Wednesday evenings. For more information please contact the Chapel Youth Coordinator at 831-242-5396. There is also a youth program which meets Wednesday evenings from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., which is open to high school students 9^th to 12^th grade. For more information, please contact the Chapel at 831-242-7620.

Cub Scouts

Since its beginning, the Cub Scout program has been a fun and educational experience concerned with values.  Besides providing a positive place where boys ages 7 to 10 can enjoy safe, wholesome activities, Cub Scouting focuses on building character, improving physical fitness, teaching practical skills, and developing a spirit of community service.

Cub Scout Pack 135, chartered by the Seaside American Legion Post #591, has served families of Ord Military Community, Seaside, Del Rey Oaks, and Marina for more than 50 years.  Pack 135 meets at the Scout Hut located at 4243 Gigling Road, across from the Stilwell Community Center.  Enrollment for all boys in the 1^st through 5^th grades is open year-round. For more information, please contact the Cubmaster at 831-393-1892. Pack 135 is served by the Monterey Bay Area Council, 831-422-5338.

Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America seeks to train youth in responsible citizenship, character development, and self-reliance through participation in a wide range of outdoor activities, educational programs, and at older age levels, career-oriented programs in partnership with community organizations.  For younger members, the Scout method is used to inculcate typical Scouting values such as honesty, good citizenship, and outdoor skills, through a variety of activities such as camping, aquatics, and hiking.

Ord Military Community (OMC) has a Boy Scout Troop 135 which has been active for 50 years, in conjunction with the Cub Scouts Troop 135. There is also a Venture Crew Troop 135 for older boys ages 14 to 21. They are members of the Monterey Bay Area Council located in Salinas. Boy Scout Troop 135 meets in Building 4243 Gigling Road on Tuesday nights from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. The Boys Scouts on post can be contacted through the local council at 831-422-5538. In addition the Boy Scouts on OMC are chartered by American Legion Post 591 in Seaside. The Troop and Pack provide Scouting support to the communities of Seaside, Del Rey Oaks, Sand City and California State University, Monterey Bay. The Venture Crew 135 also meeting at the same location, in Building 4243 Gigling Road.

Girl Scouts at Ord Military Community

Girl Scouts of the USA is the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls where in an accepting an nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world. In partnership with committed adult volunteers, girls develop qualities that will serve them all their lives, like leadership, strong values, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth.

Families at OMC are served by several troops serving various age levels. Enrollment is open year-round for all girls ages 5 to 18. Girl Scout troops are served by the Girl Scouts of California Central Coast Council. For more information, please call GSCCC at 800-624-4757.