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Youth Center, environmental office team up for education program
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Vandenberg Youth Center, in coordination with the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron environmental flight, took 10 children to Pine Canyon Lake for an educational learning experience.
"We are trying to get kids outside and active," said Carola Murdock, a Youth Center school-age program assistant. "We want the children to not only have fun, but learn while doing so."
The children are part of a pet club that is sponsored by the Youth Center. Their meetings are held every Thursday at 3 p.m.
"The club started with a few kids learning how to take care of a guinea pig," said Ms. Murdock. "Now a lot of children come to learn about the animals that interest them."
Learning that is possible because of the support the 30th CES environmental flight is providing.
"Liz is great with the kids," said Ms. Murdock. "She brings in animals and things for the kids to see up close and personal. They really interact with her.
Liz Bell, a 30th CES biologist, works with the children to teach them about their environment and how to have fun in it, in a safe manner.
"The more children can learn about the environment and the animals in it, the better it is for everybody," said Ms. Bell. "It is a building block to teach children to be more environmentally conscience as an adult."
Not only does the cooperation between environmental flight and the Youth Center provide a building block for the youth, it also offers a cheap and affordable way for kids to have fun over the summer.
"With gas prices as high as they are, a lot of parents can't afford to send their kids to a summer camp or an expensive fieldtrip," Ms. Murdock said. "We are showing kids the neat places and things that exist right next to them."
For more information on the Youth Center and its activities, call 606-2152