DEFY camp helps kids

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Jessica Clark
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Travis is hosting a Drug Education for Youth summer camp that began June 16 and will end today at the Civil Engineering training area.

Timothy Finney, Drug Demand Reduction Program manager, helped plan this five day camp to develop 23 youth in leadership potential while enhancing their ability to perceive and shape their futures to be drug and alcohol free.

The program is set up to teach youth ages 9 to 12 about values, relationships, concern for others, good health and the value of education.

Karen Sanchez, daughter of Master Sgt. Sanchez, 60 Medical Surgical Operations Squadron, said that she enjoyed her time at camp so far.

"We've learned how to say no to drugs in different situations and how to be serious about it," she said. "If you have true friends they won't ask you to do drugs."

"My favorite thing so far was seeing the drug sniffing dogs and watching the videos," Sierra Wade, daughter of Maj. William Wade, 6th Air Refueling Squadron said. "The videos about peer pressure had famous skaters on them that taught us how bad drugs are."

Timothy Vanderhoff, Drug Demand Reduction Program assistant, said that the campers are divided into three groups: team awesome, boss and dynamite. On Tuesday, it was team awesome's turn to take down the flag at Center Elementary School, where they utilize the classroom space for teaching.

According to Finney, there are two phases of DEFY. Phase one is either a five day residential camp or an eight day nonresidential camp. Phase two occurs monthly and includes group activities and mentoring.

"Many base resources were used, but the major resource was the 12 volunteers who committed the time to assist with this valuable program," Finney said.

The Civil Engineer Squadron allotted the program four buildings and helped them create a camp environment. David Grant USAF Medical Center, security forces, the fitness center and honor guard were other main contributors. The campers also participated in fun activities at the paintball field, swimming pool and bowling alley.

"The Travis Honor Guard showed the campers how to raise and lower the flag," Finney said. "They also taught them the history of the flag and why we pay tribute to it."

"The DEFY program was dormant for the past three years," he said. "My hope is to revitalize the program on Travis by utilizing the base's resources and helping ensure that children who attend go on to live a productive, alcohol and drug free life."