Staying Safe During Summer

It’s almost SUMMERTIME! While youth are dreaming of summer, parents are focused on keeping them safe and active during the months ahead. Child & Youth Services has an unforgettable summer lined up, while giving parents peace of mind that their children are in a safe environment.

Each summer, Fort Benning School Age Care hosts Camp Courage for children grades K-5, Monday-Friday, 5:30am – 6:30pm. Our camps are nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation, assuring parents a commitment to trained staff, a safe environment and consistent program quality.

Worried your teen will sleep the summer away? The Middle School & Teen Center is hosting a camp open to youth grades 6-12, Monday-Friday, 7am - 6:30pm. Video games, arts & crafts, cooking activities, amusement parks and more; there is something for everyone.

FIVE REASONS WHY SUMMER CAMP IS IMPORTANT Summer camps offer structured opportunities for children to grow. 1. Build unique interests in new skills. CYS offers a number of weekly camps that specialize in coding, culinary arts, robotics, creative arts and more! 2. Exposure to diversity. Immerse your kids in an environment filled with unique and creative individuals.

3. Keeps them active. We are all too familiar with the “brain drain” summer effect. CYS summer camps keeps kids mentally and physically active. 4. Builds leadership skills and empowerment. CYS camps provide opportunities for children to grow in discernment and leadership. Children are less likely to fall to peer pressure and more likely to feel empowered in life. 5. Gives a lifetime of wonderful memories and friendship. Kids are made for shenanigans. Building friendships teaches children how to have fun and be socially confident - something they can take back to school with them in the fall.

CYS summer camp programs contribute to the development of resiliency as youth transition from childhood to adulthood.

THINK TWICE BEFORE LEAVING YOUR KIDS HOME ALONE During the school year children are occupied with schoolwork and extracurricular activities. With summer coming, daily routines may be thrown into disarray and this can lead to the temptation to leave kids at home for a quick errand or while at work for a few hours.

Fort Benning Home Alone policy sets the minimum age of being left unsupervised at 12 years old. As a parent, you are accountable for the safety of your child. Here are a few things to consider before leaving your child home alone: • How emotionally mature and responsible is your child? • Are there any hazards or risks in your home, neighborhood or environment? • Is your child able to respond to illness, fire, weather, or other types of emergencies? • Does your child have a mental, physical, or medical disabilities? • How many children are being left supervised? • Does your child have a way to contact you or other adults immediately? • How long is your child (or children) being left alone? How often?

Leaving your child home alone puts a lot of responsibility on them. If there’s a chance your children will be in a risky situation, consider CYS. Our trained Program Associates have your child’s best interest. A summer camp experience is the perfect environment for them to thrive.

As parents, we strive to offer our children the best opportunities. We hope that you will make CYS your first choice for summer programming. Register by calling Parent Central Services at 706-545-2079.