Worry free care for your youth and teen

Located safely on Barksdale Air Force Base, the Barksdale Youth Center offers a broad assortment of year round activities for children ages 5-18, in a fun, safe, and exciting educational environment.

From instructional programs to recreational/sports activities, including both before/after school programs and yearly summer break sessions, the Youth Center offers peace of mind for parents, who can confidently conclude that their children are safe, secure, and actively engaged when they are present.

Empowering youth to find their voice and their passion to make a difference in their community and the world through opportunities for planning, decision-making, and advocacy while becoming responsible, caring citizens and acquiring skills to participate in the democratic process. The program touches on the following areas:

Sign up for Open Recreation at the Barksdale Youth Center. Annual membership is $240/year or $30/month.

4-H National Youth STEM Challenge

The 4-H STEM Challenge, formerly known as 4-H National Youth Science Day (4-H NYSD), is an annual initiative to inspire kids everywhere to take an interest in science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on learning. Since 2002, 4-H has developed fun, accessible challenges that show kids how STEM skills can be applied to the world around them. In response to COVID19, 4-H created STEM challenge family kits so youth and parents can work together to solve this year’s challenge.

My Future

BGCA on-line digital platform that showcases the work of youth and provides a fun and safe way to build technology skills. “It’s a space where kids can interact with each other – free from the prospect of cyberbullying – and share their accomplishments locally and nationally. It’s a great way to experience BGCA’s digital programming, make friends and build a positive self-image through online achievement. ”Close the gap on summer learning loss by trying out the games and activities at home!

​BGCA STEM Centers of Innovation

Through a generous grant program, DAF Youth Centers have the opportunity to be selected as a STEM Center of Innovation. The centers provide military youth with access to advanced technologies that stimulate creative approaches to STEM exploration, including 3-D printers, robotics, high-definition video production, and conferencing equipment. A commitment to enhanced STEM programming provides individual and group activities, using real-world applications to help youth develop their STEM skills, critical thinking, teamwork, and innovation.

Teen Aviation Camp at the USAF Academy

This camp is an opportunity for teens interested in attending the United States Air Force Academy or general aviation. Aviation Camp is held annually. Flying in a Cessna 145 is one of many highlights of this camp. Teens entering their sophomore or junior year of high school are selected through a competitive application process.

Virtual Teen Aviation
Space Camp at the US Space and Rocket Center

At this six day residential camp 12-18 year olds experience simulated Space Shuttle missions, training simulators, rocket building and launches, scientific experiments, lectures, and more. Participants are selected through a competitive application process.

Sea World San Antonio Marine Careers Camp

Teen Leadership Camping Challenges

4-H Military Partnership Camps

Join the fun at a Military Kids camp for school-age youth this spring & summer. Leave behind the distractions of everyday life, and enjoy exciting activities, making friends with other youth from military families, creating millions of new memories, and a whole lot more! Each day is packed with building positive traits, conquering challenging activities, and mastering cooperative games that build skills that are helpful in real-life situations in a whole lot of FUN!

Peer-to-peer youth sponsorship is provided in two different models. The School Liaison will serve as a primary support for the development of the school-based youth sponsorship programs (Transitions Centers, Transition Programs, S2S, JS2S, A4L) and the secondary support for the installation-based CYP Youth Sponsorship Program.

School liaisons facilitate a smooth transition for military children by creating an installation or community network of partnerships to include military families, local schools, the DoD Education Activity, CYP, DoD contractors such as School Military Family Life Counselors and Anchored4Life, and other installation or community partners. School-based youth sponsorship is a peer-to-peer program delivered at local school levels. School programs using peer-to-peer or student-led philosophies are most effective. School Liaisons work with districts and/or schools to create some type of youth sponsorship program or transitional support program for military youth when they enroll at a new school.

Youth Programs look forward to welcoming youths and teens to their new installation. Peer-to-Peer youth sponsorship provides valuable connections and meaningful perspectives from youth and teens already stationed at gaining installations. Youth mentors are excited to answer questions, share insights and identify unique opportunities available in a new community. Families can reach out to the Youth Center to request.