Child development center celebrates summertime during business hours

Published May 30, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Earlandez Young
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Caregivers at the child development center celebrate summer during business hours with more than 200 children ranging in age from 6 weeks to 5 year olds.

"We're always excited to see the sun," said Rhonda Love, director of the CDC. "Our staff is looking forward to exposing the kids to as much fun as possible because we want to keep them here, and if the children are happy, parents are happy. The push for fitness and the importance of outdoors is important and it deserves even more of a push during the summertime."

This summer, the CDC begins "kindergarten camp" that will include field trips, walks to the library and playtime Miller Park.

"Our 3, 4 and 5 year olds will be participating in on and off base field trips," said Love. "When considering field trips, anything that's educational or gets kids exposed to new ideas and activities is a win for us."

The CDC is also partnering with the youth and teen centers by planting a summer garden. Master Gardener, which is a two-part educational effort, in which avid gardeners are provided many hours of intense home horticulture training, and in return they "pay back" local university extension agents through volunteerism.

"The kindergarteners will be going to the youth center once a week to work with pre-teens on the summer garden project," said Nancy Keeton, who is a trainer at the CDC. "There, they will learn how to plant a garden, and they will be donating some of their vegetables from the summer garden to Second Harvest, a local area food bank whose mission is to end hunger through community partnerships will be donating all kinds of vegetables seeds to the youth programs for this project."

Another event the children are looking forward to is the rodeo bike safety course. On June 22, preschool and kindergarten children will have the opportunity to bring their bike and helmet to the CDC.

"The rodeo bike safety course is part of our parent participation plan," said Keeton. "Members from the 92nd Security Forces Squadron will be attending as well as parents as we teach children how to ride their bicycles in a safe manner. Afterwards, children and parents will be participating in outdoor and indoor activities."

This summer, Tuesdays and Thursdays will be known for water activities. Toddlers won't be swimming, but will have the chance to play with water on the playground.

The CDC will end the summer with a social event August 17. Parents and their children, who attend the CDC (including those utilizing drop in care) will be able to get active with bouncy castles and lots of games and activities outside.

[Editor's Note: This is part one of a three-part series highlighting how the 92nd Force Support Squadron's youth programs change as Fairchild embraces summer.]