Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Rauel Tirado | A child swings down a zip line Feb. 19 during the first ever Army Reserve Child and...... read more read more
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ALBERQUE OLIMPICO, Puerto Rico – The Child, Youth, and School Services, an Army Reserve family program, held its first ever Army Reserve Child and Youth Camp in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Feb. 18-20.
More than 90 children of Army Reserve soldiers and family members from the 1st Mission Support Command headquartered in Fort Buchanan attended the three-day weekend camp located at Alberque Olimpico, a recreational park and sports-training complex for Olympic and professional athletes.
For three days, the children were attended to by Alberque Olimpico’s camp staff directors and had access to the complex’s multiple gymnasiums, water park, and museum. Activities for the children included rock climbing, miniature golf, military displays, and nighttime bonfire.
On the first day of camp, parents began to arrive in the early afternoon to register their children. The children were to spend a weekend away from home, and, for many, it was their first time away from their parents.
As parents left, the children took very little time to get acquainted with each other. The camp staff had a full itinerary of scheduled activities. They began the afternoon playing basketball, volleyball and other games in the gymnasium. Camp staff also taught basketball dribbling and shooting skills, and for some young children it was their first time playing basketball.
On the second day, the children were divided in the morning into three groups and rotated through three events. The first group was treated to a tour of the Puerto Rican Sports Museum with displays showcasing Olympic athletics and the history behind Alberque Olympico.
The second group was able to try out their golf skills on an 18 hole miniature-golf course. The third group challenged themselves in conquering new heights at the rock climbing tower. Under the safety supervision of the camp staff, children strapped into safety harnesses and helmets, and then climbed about 50 feet to a pedestal on the rock tower. From the pedestal, the children rappelled from the tower and slid down a 200 foot zip-cable line. For many children, the rock climbing appeared to be one of their favorite highlights of the weekend.
After each group went through the events, the camp staff gathered everyone together to finish the morning in the giant wave pool and water park. Children spent time swimming in the wave pool, and then enjoyed a game of tug-of-war and tube racing. Later, they were able to utilize the water park and enjoy sliding down the waterslides.
In the afternoon, the children were paid a visit by Lucy Arce, Puerto Rican Senator and Veterans Affairs committee chairwoman. She took time to talk with the children, as well thanking the volunteers and coordinators of the camp.
“This event is special and important to the children and family members of the soldiers here in Puerto Rico,” said Arce. “The camp allows them to see that there are Army family programs here to support them when either mothers or fathers are deployed, and to be proud of their service.”
“The camp lets them have fun and meet other children who may experience the same challenges with deployments,” said Arce. “I would like to see this event continue and grow.”
Marta Feliciano, a CYSS community outreach specialist for the 143d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) in Orlando, Fla., was the event coordinator. She first started planning this event more than two years ago after similar successful youth camps occurred in Florida for Army Reserve families. Her areas of responsibility cover Florida and Puerto Rico.
“What makes this event unique is that it’s the first ever CYSS youth camp to be held in Puerto Rico for Army Reserve families,” said Feliciano. “We must remember that Puerto Rico is home for many Army Reserve soldiers and family members that can benefit from the services offered by CYSS.”
Feliciano credits the 1st MSC for having a strong family readiness group network in Puerto Rico and plans to have another youth camp in the future. Puerto Rico has over 3,600 Army reservists that fall under the 1st MSC.
“This event would not have been possible without the help and support of the 1st MSC Family Program Group,” said Feliciano. “1st MSC family program members reached out to soldiers and family member, and within a few days after the start of online registration over 100 children had registered.”
“This is breakthrough for us,” said Elsa Cortes, 1st MSC family program director. “I was a volunteer before I became director, and we wanted to do this event for some time.”
“Many children don’t understand what Mom and Dad do in the military, and this camp allows us this share with them at their level,” said Cortes.
Among other activities in the afternoon on the second day, the 1st MSC had several soldiers set up a round table and man displays that included eating Meals Ready to Eat pouches, and trying on camouflage painting. Sgt. Lillian Ramirez, from the 1st MSC led children through drill and ceremony techniques.
Military and Family Life Consultant Program had a round table with a licensed therapist to share with the children the impact of deployments and stress on the families. Children were able to view a slideshow on resiliency in coping with deployments.
“When family members are deployed, this camp lets children know that they are part of a bigger family, which is the 1st MSC,” says Col. Alfredo Gerena, chief of staff for the 1st MSC.
Gerena knows many children don’t understand why their Mom or Dad is gone for a year or more. Bringing them together for fun activities at the camp for a few days allows the children to get to know each other and allows them to share how they feel.
“We want the children to know that we are here to support,” said Gerena. “If a child has any problem, they can look to the 1st MSC as a family and not as someone they don’t know. That’s our command goal.”
Not to be forgotten, the 1st MSC family programs reached out to family members who have lost a loved one. Spc. Juan Carlos Luna-Lopez suffered a heart attack while training for deployment on April. 5, 2009, at Fort Dix, N.J. Surviving family members are wife Janet Rios and son Carlos Luna-Rios.
Ivelisse Garcia, CYSS community outreach program specialist for the 1st MSC, contacted the Rios family to inform them 4-year-old Carlos was invited to attend the youth camp
.
“When I first heard about the camp, I knew it would be a great opportunity for Carlos to have fun and meet other military children,” said Rios. “Everyone here was so kind, generous, and thoughtful. It was truly an excellent experience for him at the camp.”
On the last day, there was a final ceremony in which Col. Fred Guzman, command executive officer for the 143d ESC, presented each of the children with a certificate. He spoke with the children, thanking them for attending the camp and thanking the volunteers as well.
As the weekend unfolded, many of the children formed new friendships. Some began to exchange email addresses, and in the era of Facebook, many of them promised to “friend request” each other.
After a short survey completed by the children at the end of camp, Feliciano said, “They want more time in the wave pool and to play basketball. I think we can work on that in the future.”
A plan for a second camp in Puerto Rico has already started. CYSS youth camps are held throughout the United States, and camps are free of charge to Army Reserve family members. Other CYSS programs available include child care solutions, school support services, unit and command support, and community based partnerships.
For more information on Army Reserve CYSS programs, visit the web site www.arfp.org/cyss.
| Date Taken: | 02.20.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 04.20.2011 14:00 |
| Story ID: | 69044 |
| Location: | ALBERQUE OLIMPICO, PR |
| Web Views: | 210 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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