The School Age Services (SAS) program provides before- and after-school care for school-age children in 1st through 5th grade with enriched, age-appropriate, child-centered activities. Edgewood YS provides care for children grades K-5 (we have kindergarten children at EA). Fees are based on Total Family Income (TFI) and billing may occur either monthly or semi-monthly (1st and 15th of month). A summer program provides children with a variety of activities and field trips. The SAS program is accredited by the National AfterSchool Association (NAA).

The SAS program includes arts, crafts, fitness, field trips, homework time, cooking projects and community service. The Character Counts program is a key component interwoven in our daily activities.

The SAS/Youth Centers operating hours are Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.

The Middle School and Teen (MS/T) program provides before and after school, evening and weekend options for children in 6th through 12th grades. Enriched age-appropriate activities are planned. A summer program provides a variety of activities and field trips. Fees are based on Total Family Income (TFI) and billing may occur either monthly or semi-monthly (1st and 15th of the month). The Middle School/Teen program is free after 1 p.m. Fees may be assessed for special events and field trips.

Calendar of Events

Aberdeen

Every 1st Friday of the Month, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Astronomy Club. Aberdeen Youth Center. Learn about what's in the heavens. Use of the Aberdeen Youth Technology Lab and our super cool telescope when the skies are clear. Free. Middle School and Teens are eligible to participate in the club.

Every 3rd Friday of the Month, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Robotics Club. Aberdeen Youth Center. Learn to program and build and robot! Legos Mindstorms kits will be utilized for this fun activity. Free. Middle School and Teens are eligible to participate in this club.

Every Tuesday of the Month, 3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Passport to Manhood. Aberdeen Youth Center. Passport to Manhood consists of 14 sessions, each concentrating on a specific aspect of character and manhood through highly interactive activities. Every participant receives his own "passport" to underscore the notion that he is on a personal journey of maturation and growth. The program includes a service project where boys learn the importance of giving back to the community. Passport to Maryland represents a targeted effort to engage young boys in discussions and activites that reinforce character, leadership and positive behavior.

Every Wednesday of the Month, 3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. SMART Girls. Aberdeen Youth Center. An outgrowth of the popular and effective SMART Moves program, SMART Girls is a health, fitness, prevention/education and self-esteem enhancement program for girls ages 8 to 17. The program is designed to encourage healthy attitudes and lifestyles that will enable early adolescent girls to develop to their full potential.

Edgewood

Every Tuesday of the Month, 4:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. FIRST TEE Golf Program. Edgewood Youth Center. Learn the basics of golf along with etiquette and character building skills. This program starts with the very beginning skills and progresses to more advanced skills.

Alternating Wednesday afternoons 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Microwave and Ultimate Journey. Edgewood Youth Center. Microwave magic is a 4-H program that explores the use of the microwave and recipes that are microwave-friendly. Open to youth ages 6 - 10 (Elementary school age). Ultimate Journey is a Boys and Girls Clubs of America program that takes a look at the environment and our roll as its keepers.

Every Thursday of the Month, 7:30 a.m. - 8:10 a.m. SMART Moves, Edgewood Youth Center. This Boys and Girls Clubs of America program which helps youth learn more about making positive life choices and ways they can keep themselves substance free.

Every Thursday of the Month, 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Clover Buds, Edgewood Youth Center. A 4-H club program for children 6 - 8 years old. Come enjoy special events, have fun and meet new children.

Fine Arts Friday! is every Friday afternoon, 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Edgewood Youth Center. Learn the fine art of drawing, water color painting, sculpting, collages, making multimedia masterpieces and more. Bring out the artist in you! For youth from elementary to middle school.

You must be registered through CYSS Central Registration to participate in any Youth Services Program.

Army Youth Programs

Being a family member in the military can be tough. To help relieve the stress, the Department of the Army has recognized the importance of consistency and predictability within its programs worldwide.

The Essential Components of Army Youth Development

• Youth feel a sense of Belonging through interaction with caring adults in a safe and inclusive environment.
• Youth develop skills through learning opportunities while gaining self-confidence and experiencing Success.
• Youth contribute to their communities and affect change through meaningful Service to others.
• Youth participate in experiences that foster Independence and active engagement in the future.

Four Core Service Areas

1. Sports, Fitness, and Health Options: Youth engage in fun and physical programs, develop lifelong and healthy habits, and acquire the life skills needed to achieve a balanced lifestyle. Youth are introduced to a variety of traditional and non-traditional sports and games. They learn sportsmanship, goal setting, and self-discipline.
2. Life Skills, Citizenship and Leadership Opportunities: Youth serve their communities while developing leadership skills, experiencing the democratic process and acquiring the skills needed to become productive and caring members of society. Programs facilitate workforce preparation and entrepreneurship experiences, as well as environmental, science and computer competencies.
3. Arts, Recreation and Leisure Activities: Youth are engaged in fine arts activities and programs, to include performing arts, visual arts and literary arts. Recreation and leisure program options promote an appreciation for hobbies and the importance of relaxation in daily life.
4. Academic Support, Mentoring and Intervention Services: Youth receive services and assistance in the areas of homework help, tutoring, research, goal-setting and study skills. Program options promote health and prevention education and facilitate conflict resolution and peer meditation.

World-Wide Partnerships

Aberdeen and Edgwood Youth Services, along with all military youth centers, maintain partnerships with 4-H, Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and Character Counts! These affiliations enable both centers to utilize curriculums, participate in exhibits and contests and even compete for grants offered through these partners. Most importantly, is that these partnerships contribute to predictability or programming for youth as they transition from one military installation to another, thus lowering their relocation stress.

4-H

Since Aberdeen Proving Ground is located in Harford County, Maryland, APG's youth partnerships are with the Harford County 4-H Extension and the 4-H Youth Development University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Programs. Both facilities have 4-H Community Clubs, Aberdeen YS' "Heroes With Heart Community Club" and Edgewood YS' "Edgewood Eagles Community Club" participate in 4-H activities and programs throughout the year such as Health Rocks, First Aid in Action and Civic Engagement. In addition, as 4-H members, our youth are eligible to participate in both the Harford County Farm Fair and the Maryland State Fair.

Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA)

In 1998, the Aberdeen and Edgewood youth programs began their partnetship with BGCA. Since that time, APG youth have participated in several activities, programs, exhibits and contests such as Power Hour! Making Minutes Count, SMART Girls, Passport to Manhood, SMART Moves, Torch Club, Keystone Club, Youth of the Year, the National Fine Arts Exhibit and the ImageMakers National Photography Contest.

CHARACTER COUNTS!

CHARACTER COUNTS! is a character-education program. The CHARACTER COUNTS! approach to character education doesn't exclude anyone. Its programs and materials on six ethical values that values everyone can agree on -- values that are not political, religious or culturally biased. These six ethical values, otherwise referred to as The Six Pillars of Character, are as follows:

Trustworthiness

Be honest. Don't deceive, cheat or steal. Be reliable --do what you say you'll do. Have the courage to do the right thing. Build a good reputation. Be loyal -- stand by your family, friends and country.

Respect

Treat others with respect; Follow the Golden Rule. Be tolerant and accepting of differences. Use good manners, not bad language. Be considerate of the feelings of others. Don't threaten, hit or hurt anyone. Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements.

Responsibility

Do what you are supposed to do. Plan ahead. Persevere: Keep on trying! Always do your best. Use self-control. Be self-disciplined. Think before you act -- consider the consequences. Be accountable for your words, actions and attitudes. Set a good example for others.

Caring

Be kind. Be compassionate and show you care. Express gratitude. Forgive others. Help people in need.

Citizenship

Do you share to make your school and community better. Cooperate. Get involved in community affairs. Stay informed; Vote. Be a good neighbor. Obey laws and rules. Respect authority. Protect the environment. Volunteer.