Youth Services

The Pocono Mountains can be a wonderful and exciting place to live if you become actively involved with school, installation and other youth programs.

School Age Care

Tobyhanna Army Depot School Age Care (SAC) Program is where children in grades kindergarten through fifth will be spending their time. We offer a variety of programming based on your individual needs. The SAC program provides a before school program, an after-school program, and full day services during school breaks. We also offer a full day summer program, which encompasses children having completed kindergarten through eighth grade. The SAC program also includes a homework center, staffed with a teacher to assist the children, and a technology lab, equipped with computers with the latest in educational software, and staff to assist the children with work or play.

The staff recognizes that quality childcare is a vital need. As a developmental program, we offer children varied opportunities to develop physically, socially, emotionally, intellectually and independently. Our well trained staff are committed to offering high quality, developmentally appropriate programming for each child based on ages, abilities, interests, personality and cultural backgrounds. Children learn best through daily active involvement with the environment, materials and their peers. All staff are trained to facilitate and role model while guiding and supporting the children through the learning process. Our mission is to support and promote age appropriate, individual and cultural growth experience for all youth participants in grades kindergarten through six within the Tobyhanna Army Depot community.

Our SAC program is licensed through both the Department of Defense and the State of Pennsylvania. Our program is nationally accredited by the National after school Association and therefore recognized for the high quality child care we provide.

Youth Services/ Middle School and Teen

Tobyhanna Army Depot Youth Services (YS) / Middle School Teen (MST) Program offers a Middle School and Teen Program complete with a computer lab and certified teachers to help with homework. The program is in operation Tuesday through Thursday, 1730-1930 and Fridays from 1700-2030. MST is a free program for qualified and registered youth in grade 6 and older. Please call (570) 615-6559 for registration and reservation information.

The staff at Youth Services recognizes that quality youth programming is a vital need. As a developmental and educational program, we offer youth varied opportunities to develop physically, socially, emotionally, intellectually and independently. A calendar of events is planned monthly by our Middle School and Teen participants, with guidance from the YS staff. We understand that all youth are not the same. Their needs vary based on their ages, personalities, abilities, likes/dislikes and cultural backgrounds. All of these traits are taken into consideration when planning events/activities for YS. It is our hope that all youth who participate in our program will feel respected, appreciated and welcome. Youth learn best through positive role-modeling. All staff are trained to facilitate and role model while guiding and supporting the youth.

The MST program has partnerships with the Boys and Girls Club of America and 4-H. MST also participates in a volunteer program called America's Promise. Youth are offered opportunities throughout the year to volunteer on the installation and in their community. Curriculum is planned by our staff to encompass the five service areas of: health, wellness, life skills, character and leadership, the arts, education/career development, sports, fitness and recreation.

On Post Home Alone Policy

This following policy applies to all personnel assigned to and occupying family quarters at Tobyhanna Army Depot.

• Children in kindergarten through sixth grades will not be in self-care or home alone on a regular basis during weekday, school-out, vacation and/or summer out of school time.
• Children in grades seven through eight can be in self-care or home alone for up to six hours, with ready access to adult supervision.
• Children in grades nine through 12 can be in self-care or home alone between the hours of 6 am and 12 am, but need adult supervision between the hours of 12 am and 6 am.
• Regardless of the child's age, parents are responsible for their child/children. Dependent children, no matter what age, will not be left alone for extended periods of time.
• Security will respond and investigate incidents and report to the Unit Commander.

Applicable state laws will apply to service members residing off post.