Youth center membership increases by 30 percent Published May 16, 2013 By Brandice J. O'Brien Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Tinker's Youth Center is quite the hot spot. In the past year, membership has grown by approximately 30 percent. Officials link the increase to a successful recruiting initiative, expanding programs and more opportunities for the youth. While the youth center has several programs that accommodate the children whose parents work or live on the base, youth center staff knew they could offer more. Through a recruiting incentive "Project Grow," the staff brainstormed new ways to benefit the adolescents. "In the past couple of years, we've turned a corner from being a recreation center to becoming an educational facility," said Mindy Whittington, Youth Programs director who is assigned to the 72nd Force Support Squadron. "We're an extension of the school day in more of a fun way." Project Grow summoned non-traditional recruiting methods by encouraging youth center staffers to venture into the community and see what services could be added to the already-popular curriculum. "The program reached out to serve more youth and develop relationships and connections with community partners," Ms. Whittington said. "They also strived to reach out to youth and parents who need us the most." One of the first additions was adding transportation to and from the youth center for Carl Albert Junior High School and Carl Albert High School students in Midwest City. By doing so, staff increased the participation in the membership program. The "Youth Membership Program" is affiliated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Oklahoma 4-H. Designed for adolescents between the ages of 10 to 18, the membership program offers two clubs: Torch Club and Keystone Club. Devised for 10- to 12-year-olds, the Torch Club gets kids ready for involvement in Keystone Club, a leadership group for 13- to 18- year-olds. Through the youth membership program, youths are able to go to the center from 3:30 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 3:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday during the school year. In the summer, the youth center opens at 1 p.m. for the membership program. On Saturdays, the center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. year-round. The "Before and After" program, which is designed for youth between kindergarten and sixth grade, caters to approximately 100 students during the school year. During the summer, up to 150 youths are at the center. The program offers activities, or "clubs," to keep children engaged until they arrive at school or are picked up by their parents. Activities include higher level thinking and enriched programming in newly painted and decorated age-appropriate rooms. The program is open to Tinker Elementary School students, with limited spaces for Parkview Elementary, but has recently expanded the transportation capacity to Parkview Elementary school, which increased enrollment. The youth center also offers instructional classes for Taekwondo, fine arts, and dance; plus Smart Start Baseball, basketball, flag football, soccer, and golf for 3- to 5-year-olds to teach them the fundamentals of each game. The youth center also allows 5-year-olds to attend during the day four weeks prior to the beginning of the summer program. By doing so, it helps them become acclimated to the structure of full-day summer camp. Additionally, when school, regardless of its district, is canceled for the day or on break, the youth center will provide a safe and entertaining place for students. "If it helps one person, it's a success," Ms. Whittington said.