JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Two teens from Joint Base Charleston were selected to attend Air Force specialty camps this summer.
The teens, both active members in the base's youth programs, submitted applications to Karen Hudson, 628th Force Support Squadron teen coordinator.
"We have the teens fill out the applications and if they don't get them in on time then we are not able to submit them," said Hudson. "We do this so they learn responsibility and really show they want to attend these amazing camps."
Mai'Ana Sirena Artero, daughter of Air Force retiree Clarissa Artero, attended the Teen Leadership Camp last summer, applied and was selected for the camp again this year.
"I want to attend this camp because I had so much fun last year that I wanted to learn more," said Artero.
Each applicant is required to state why they should attend camp at the bottom of their application.
"I am a great student and enjoy meeting teens that are motivated to learn," stated Artero. "I understand getting selected is a great privilege and I will represent my base, my parents and myself responsibly."
Curtis Stauffer, son of Lt. Col. Curtis Stauffer, 317th Airlift Squadron pilot, was selected for the Teen Aviation Camp.
"Curtis has been looking forward to this camp for awhile now," said Hudson. "He is very focused on becoming a pilot."
Stauffer was also required to provide a written essay on why he should be selected to attend the camp.
"My father is a graduate of the Academy and my career plan is to attend the Air Force Academy to become a pilot," stated Stauffer. "This camp will give me an opportunity to learn from the best of our military professionals."
The camps will teach both Artero and Stauffer leadership and team building skills.
"They will be going non-stop from 5 a.m. until 11 p.m.," said Hudson. "The camps are exhausting, but very rewarding."
Stauffer added that even though sometimes being a military dependent is hard, other times it is very rewarding.
"I know that without my dad being in the military, many things I enjoy during the summer and from what the military provides, would not happen and I am grateful for every moment of being a military dependent," said Stauffer.