Youth Center programs enhance children's social pillar Published May 24, 2012 By Tyler Grimes 60th Air Mobility Public Affairs TRAVIS AFB, Calif. -- As summer quickly approaches, many students are anxiously counting down the number of school days. At the same time, their parents are frantically searching for activities to entertain them. The Travis Youth Center has a variety of summer programs that are intended to not only entertain students, but to educate them as well. Some of the programs are focused on learning a skill such as woodworking and cooking while other programs try to expand the students' minds by teaching them about fine arts and Spanish, said Charles Thomas, Youth Center school-age coordinator. "These programs are an opportunity for kids to be enriched beyond school," Thomas said. "Research shows that recreation and interaction with adults and other kids outside of the classroom enables the students to be more powerful academically." Andrew Plaza, 13, said learning to play the guitar is something he's been interested in for a few years. He has a chance to pursue it thanks to the Youth Center. Along with playing the chords from his favorite rock songs, Plaza is learning how to read sheet music, which has had a surprising side-effect. "I'm usually bad in math and that's why I don't like it," he said. "But ever since I started here, I am noticing that I'm doing a little better." By learning to read sheet music and the variations of notes such as halves, quarters and wholes and how to add, subtract and divide them, Plaza is able to translate those skills into understanding fractions and their uses. The arts and crafts program at the Youth Center gives fifth-grade student Helena Rivera the opportunity to express her feelings and socialize with other young people. Rivera said the art projects help keep her interested in academics, which she sometimes finds boring, by giving her a creative outlet. The poetry contests have sparked excitement about writing and grammar in 11-year-old Jasmine Corley. She proudly recites her haikus and limericks about dogs and the alphabet for which she received certificates and awards from the Youth Center. While she likes the accolades, it's the freedom that poetry provides that keeps her writing. "Poetry doesn't have to rhyme and sometimes it doesn't even have to make sense," she said. "When I write poems for school, it's fun because it can be random." Another program that aims to educate through entertainment is the Youth Center's gardening club, said Susan Hubbard, program assistant. In the club, students learn how to plant seeds by using math to calculate how far apart to place them in the garden, she said. In addition, they are taught the science of gardening such as the life cycle of plants and why it's important to water them. The club also teaches the students about good nutrition and the benefits of healthy eating, she said. Once the fruits and vegetables are ripe, they learn how to cook different dishes using the foods they grew. They also receive a recipe book to try at home with their family, something Hubbard said shows promising results. Children will be able to go to the commissary with their parents and impress them with the cool recipes they've learned, Hubbard said. "We are trying to encourage them to eat healthier," she said. As with many of the other programs at the Youth Center, Hubbard's club has one overall goal in mind. "There are a lot of different ways to incorporate the school curriculum into a fun activity," she said. "That's what we do here." For information about the Youth Center's programs and summer clubs call 424-0723.