Benefit Fact Sheet
The Department of the Air Force Youth Programs (YP) offer opportunities for positive youth development by supporting the skills, interests, qualities, and abilities of all youth. The Department of the Air Force operates Youth Programs on 72 DAF-led installations and provides opportunities for geographically separate youth.
Children of retired Air National Guard Service members are eligible for the Department of the Air Force Youth Programs based on space availability. Service members may also be eligible for some additional National Guard Youth Services based on funding, space availability, and state-specific partnerships. Contact your state’s local Lead Child and Youth Coordinator for details on available resources.
DAF YP offerings include Youth Sports and Fitness; Program for Positive Youth Development; Partnerships; Teen Programs; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Initiatives; Residential Youth Camps; and Youth Sponsorships.
Youth Sports and Fitness
Youth Sports and Fitness (YS&F) offers opportunities for sports, fitness, health and nutrition, outdoor recreation, and motor skill development. YS&F provides high-quality recreation youth sports leagues and is recognized for their dedication through the National Alliance for Youth Sports Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider Certification.
Youth Sports and Fitness Provides:
- Certified and trained volunteer coaches
- Comprehensive background screening for staff and volunteers
- Parent Education and Involvement
- Written policies and procedures
- Accountability
Recreational Sports Leagues: Non-competitive youth sports opportunities develop a sense of belonging and teamwork, build sport-specific skills, and provide quality family time for youth.
Start Smart (selections vary by installation): A parent-child program to build fundamental motor skills without the threat of competition while having fun and developing self-confidence and a love of physical fitness.
Programming for Positive Youth Development
Empowering youth to find their voice and their passion to make a difference in their community and the world through opportunities for planning, decision-making, advocacy while becoming responsible, caring citizens and acquiring skills to participate in the democratic process.
The Arts: Fostering creativity and providing outlets for self-expression. From daily programs to instructional classes and summer camps, youth are encouraged to explore the arts. National Competitions in Fine Arts and Photography showcase the talent of our youth.
Sports and Recreation: Programs to develop physical fitness, reduce stress, and promotes the positive use of leisure time, appreciation for the environment, and interpersonal skills.
Health and Wellness: Building young people’s capacity to engage in positive behaviors that nurture well-being, inspire the pursuit of personal goals, and grow into self-sufficient adults.
Education: Activities designed to inspire a love of learning, support academic skills, and ensure that all youth graduate from high school on time, ready for a post-secondary path and skills for a 21st-century career.
Partnerships
The Department of the Air Force Services partners with national youth serving organizations to provide a wide range of programs and services for youth and staff, including:
Outreach initiatives:
- BGCA Mission Youth Outreach: BGCA provides free memberships to military-affiliated youth not living near an installation. Find a club near you!
- 4-H Local Clubs and Opportunities: Local 4-H clubs serve youth around the country and the world with a mission to inspire civic engagement, build skills in STEM and Agriculture, and encourage healthy living. Find a local 4-H!
- 4-H at Home: 4-H at Home provides hands-on, educational activities for kids and teens all year long. Get our latest 4-H at Home Activity Guide, activities from 4-H Land-Grant Universities, and more.
Teen Programs
Military Youth of the Year: A premier scholarship and recognition program for teens ages 14-18 offered in partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs of America. The program honors and celebrates our most inspiring teens and their incredible journeys, showcasing outstanding leadership, service, academic excellence, and dedication to living a healthy lifestyle.
Keystone Club: Keystone Clubs are dynamic programs challenging teens to become leaders and participate in community service. Offered through our BGCA partnership, Keystone is the most dynamic teen program, building valuable leadership and service experience as teens plan and implement programs in four areas: academic success, career exploration, community service, and teen outreach. The national conference is one of the highlights of the Keystone Year!
Air Force Teen Council (AFTC): An initiative to provide a voice for Air Force teens and a connection to installation leaders to provide a platform for the needs and passions of teens. Connections with other installations create a network of teens working to resolve issues and voice concerns to the highest levels of leadership on behalf of teens across the Air Force.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Initiatives
4-H National Youth STEM: 4‑H STEM programs provide kids opportunities to learn about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) through hands-on projects. 4‑H STEM programs equip young people with the skills they need to succeed in life, and are available through local clubs, schools and grant-funded programs. Focus areas include computer science, robotics, aerospace, physics, chemistry, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and veterinary science.
My Future: This BGCA on-line digital platform showcases the work of youth and provides a fun and safe way to build technology skills. “It is a space where kids can interact with each other – free from the prospect of cyberbullying – and share their accomplishments locally and nationally. It is a great way to experience BGCA’s digital programming, make friends and build a positive self-image through online achievement.”
BGCA STEM Centers of Innovation: Through a generous grant program, DAF Youth Centers have the opportunity to be selected as a STEM Center of Innovation. The centers provide military youth with access to advanced technologies that stimulate creative approaches to STEM exploration, including 3-D printers, robotics, high-definition video production, and conferencing equipment. A commitment to enhanced STEM programming provides individual and group activities, using real-world applications to help youth develop their STEM skills, critical thinking, teamwork, and innovation.
Residential Youth Camps
U.S. Space & Rocket Center Camp: Space camp provides youth/teens, ages 12 – 14 & 15 – 18, opportunities to explore careers as astronauts. Youth/Teens may apply for different Academies. Space Camp is conducted at the US Space & Rocket Center , Huntsville, AL. All applicants must be age-eligible for the chosen camp on or before the first day of attendance. Please note, high school graduates are NOT eligible.
Teen Leadership Camp:Teen Leadership camp is for teens aged 14-18 years old who completed their Freshman, Sophomore, or Junior year in high school for the current school year. The goal of the camp is to build character, leadership, and resilience for young people. Participants will challenge themselves to try new experiences, build a support network of peers and adult advisors, and create a sense of community with other military teens.
Teen Aviation Camp at USAF Academy: Teen Aviation camp is for teens aged 14-16 years old who completed their Freshman or Sophomore year in high school for the current school year. The goal of the camp is to build character, leadership and gain the US Air Force Academy experience. The week-long camp will focus on careers in aviation, engineering, science and leadership. Attendees stay at the USAFA prep dorms and use force support squadron facilities while there like the dining facility, fitness center, aero club and bowling center.
Note: Limited scholarships are available. Please see your Youth Programs office for more information on residential camp applications or visit DAF Child and Youth – Youth Camps to apply.
Youth Sponsorship
Peer-to-peer youth sponsorship is provided in two different models. The School Liaison will serve as a primary support for the development of the school-based youth sponsorship programs (Transitions Centers, Transition Programs, S2S, JS2S, A4L) and the secondary support for the installation-based CYP Youth Sponsorship Program.
School-Based Youth Sponsorship: School liaisons facilitate a smooth transition for military children by creating an installation or community network of partnerships to include military families, local schools, the DoD Education Activity, CYP, DoD contractors such as School Military Family Life Counselors and Anchored4Life, and other installation or community partners. School-based youth sponsorship is a peer-to-peer program delivered at local school levels. School programs using peer-to-peer or student-led philosophies are most effective. School Liaisons work with districts and/or schools to create some type of youth sponsorship program or transitional support program for military youth when they enroll at a new school.
Peer-to-Peer Youth Sponsorship: Youth Programs look forward to welcoming youths and teens to their new installation. Peer-to-Peer youth sponsorship provides valuable connections and meaningful perspectives from youth and teens already stationed at gaining installations. Youth mentors are excited to answer questions, share insights and identify unique opportunities available in a new community. Families can reach out to the Youth Center to request.
Department of the Air Force Instructions 34-144: Child and Youth Programs
https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/dafi34-144/dafi34-144.pdf
For additional information on Child and Youth Programs, visit:
https://dafchildandyouth.com/
Air Force Child and Youth Program Business Modernization System (AFSV-CYPBMS) Parent Portal:
https://parent.afcyp.com/