Youth & Parenting Services

at MCAS Iwakuni

Programs for Youth

Youth Sponsorship Program

• "Kids in Touch with Kids"
• Sponsored through the Relocation Office; DSN ph# 253-3311
• If interested in having a youth sponsor (or being one), contact:
  USMC, S-1 Dept, Family Service Center (RAC)
  Relocation Specialist
  PSC 561 BOX 1861
  FPO AP 96310
  
• The same office also has an Activity book for children, called "Welcome to Iwakuni, Just for Kids"; mail or phone in your request to the above office.

Organized Programs

• Scouting:
  • Girl Scouts
  • Boy Scouts
• Through M.C. Perry Schools:
  • D.A.R.E.: Drug Awareness and Resistance Education for 6th grade M.C. Perry students.
  • G.R.E.A.T.: Gang Resistance Education And Training for 7th and 8th grade M.C. Perry students.
• Others:
  • D.E.F.Y.: Drug Education For Youth; a Dept. of the Navy program for 9-12 year olds.

Child Care Programs

• On base:
  • Child Development Center (CDC): DSN ph# 253-5584; Hours 7:15am-5:15pm, M-F. Offers Full-day, part-day and hourly care for infants through school age children. Rates are based on total family income.
  • In-Home Day Care: Certified Day Care providers are registered with the base to provide home day care in base housing.
• Off base:
  • Japanese Yochein: Many people want to give their preschool children the cultural experience of attending a Japanese pre-school, called Yochien. There are several Yochien in the Iwakuni area. It is suggested that you have a Japanese speaking friend to help you contact the yochien. More information can be obtained from the Cutural Specialist, Chiaki Ikeue, at the FSC (253-6161).
    • Seibo Yochien ph# 22-9743 (this is a Catholic Yochien).
    • Megumi Yochien ph# 21-4344
    • Kawashimo Yochien ph# 21-0725 (the bus comes to MCAS Iwakuni to pick up children)
    • Iwakuni Chuo Yochien ph# 31-7212
    • Iwakuni Minami Yochien #ph 31-8009
    • Iwakuni Yochien #ph 41-0574

Sports

• Youth Sports: Offered on a seasonal basis, through Youth & Teen Centers. DSN ph# 253-5729
  • Youth Basketball; Jan-Mar
  • Youth Baseball; Apr-Jun
  • Youth Soccer; Aug-Oct
• Young Shooter's Shotgun Safety and Use Course: DOD ID card holders, ages 12-17 years; $10; at the Boar's Head Sporting Lounge; call 253-3822 or 3038.
• Student Bowling Special at the Southside Bowling Center: Students bowl for 50 cents/game, with free shoe rental; all day M-F.
• Youth & Junior Golf Program: At the Torii Pines Golf Course. DSN ph# 253-3402
  • Youth Golfer Program: This program allows youth golfers 8-15 years old an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of golf; uses the Torii Pines Golf Course, Driving Range, Practice Putting Greens and other Practice Areas. Youth golfers are not allowed to play independent of an adult sponsor, coach, "Big Brother or Big Sister" (min. age 18), or a Jr. Golfer age 16-17 who has met the requirements of a Youth/Junior Golf Program. This applies to youth who desire access as a golfer, caddie or spectator.
  • Junior Golfer Program: Provides for an unrestricted opportunity for golfers 16-17 years old to improve through association with golfers of all skill levels, and the use of course during the "Early Bird Golf Season".
• Aquatics Office: at the Main Gym DSN ph# 253-5520
  • Swim Lessons: Ages 6-14; ARC Levels I-VII, Jr. Lifeguard Program and more.
  • Swim Club/Team: ages 5-18; competitive swim team

Youth/Teen Center Activities

• Brunch Bunch: Before or After school recreational program for Kindergartners who are 5-6 years of age. Snack is served; escort for child is available to and from school; first come, first served.
  • AM Brunch Bunch 8am-12pm $25
  • PM Brunch Bunch 10:30am-2:30pm $25
• Rec R Us: a before and after school recreational program for ages 5-12 years old.
  • AM Rec R Us 7am-8am $15
  • PM Rec R Us 2:30pm-5pm $15
  • AM & PM Rec R Us $25
• Open Recreation: after school program for ages 5-12 years; self-directed and team activities and events. No charge, however participants must be registered at the Youth Center.
• Samurai Summer Camp: a 10 week program for children ages 5-12; led by college students recruited from around the USA. M-F, 7am-5pm; $50/wk, plus additional charges for field trips.
• Teen Center: located in the Crossroads Mall; DSN ph# 253-6454
  • M-Th 3pm-8pm; Friday and Saturday 3pm-11pm. Ages 13-18 years. No membership fees. Hours may vary during summer break.
  • Sport programs that compliment MC Perry extra-curricular activities:
    • Baseball/softball; 7th-12th grade
    • Flag football; 7th-8th grade
    • Tackle football; 9th-12th grade
    • Cheerleading; 9th-12th grade
    • Basketball; 7th-9th grade
  • Year-round trips include:
    • Space World
    • Tokyo Disneyland
    • Beach trips and Camping
    • Skiing

Stories and Crafts

• Children's Story Hour: Every Friday, 10am, at the Station Library; 253-3078.
• Dial-a-Story: 253-6607 From the Station Library :-)
• Playgroup: Tuesdays 9:30am-11am; Community Room of Bldg 589; Parents and kids to age 6; playtime, stories, songs, snacks & crafts.
• Youth & Preschool Crafts: for 4-6 year old preschoolers and youth ages 6 and up; Free; scheduled occasionally at the Arts & Crafts Center, in the Main Gym. DSN ph# 253-6621.

Chapel Programs/Religious Ed

• Sunday School: classes available for all ages at 9:30am at the Religious Ed. Bldg.
• Catholic CCD: Pre-school through 9th grades DSN ph# 253-5218
• Youth Group: ages 12-18; meets Sundays at 5:30pm
• MOPS (Mothers Of Pre-Schoolers): Chapter of MOPS International; provides support to mothers of young children; "Moppets" is a structured classroom/playtime for your pre-school children, grouped according to age level; meets 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from 9:30am to 11:30am, at the Station Chapel.
• Children's Choir (grades 1-6)
• Youth Choir (grades 7-12)
• Patch the Pirate Club: at Faith Baptist Church out in town. Also Sunday School, Nursery, Teen Bible Study.

Cultural Exchange Programs

• Iwakuni International Children's Choir: Sing with Japanese students in both English and Japanese! Activities and concerts. Contact Chiaki Ikeue at the FSC; DSN ph# 253-6165

Links to other pages on the Net

Nomad- The Brat Journal 5/26/99 Great site for kids and teens to share info about the "nomadic" military life they lead! Includes some base profiles written by teens.
Military Teens on the Move You need to register to use this site, but it could be a good place for teens to network with others who understand their mobile military lifestyle :-)

© 1999 donella@bigfoot.com