CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Charleston AFB began the second annual Department of the Navy's Drug Education for Youth program June 11 with its Phase I two-week summer leadership camp here.
DEFY is a year-long self-esteem building program that provides children with the tools they need to resist drugs, gangs and alcohol. The program kicked off with the two-week camp filled with various activities and workshops in and outside the base. The 23 youth participants and 11 adult mentors toured a variety of places such as the North Charleston Juvenile Facility, the Columbia Zoo, the base fire department and static C-17 display. They also received a security forces working dog demonstration, went wall-climbing at the base recreation center and spent a day at Edisto Beach canoeing.
Once the Phase I summer camp is complete, the youth participants receive a year of follow-on mentoring with their adult military mentors, titled Phase II of the program. Both phases of the program combine education on health, physical fitness, citizenship and life skills.
Planning for the program started as early as January but due to the implementation of the 2006 DEFY program, organization was less stressful for the staff because a plan of action was already in place.
"This year's DEFY organization ran much smoother," said Ms. Evelyn Knight, 437th Medical Group drug demand reduction program manager and DEFY camp coordinator. "Not only was I familiar with DEFY, but I had an experienced staff to work with and this was a great advantage."
DEFY is offered at no charge to 9 through 12 year-old children of military members and civilian DOD employees. In addition to workshops on drug resistance, the free program also provides other important lessons on study skills, violence prevention, personal safety, diversity, conflict resolution and Internet safety.
"Every bit of the DEFY curriculum is priceless and focuses on building self-esteem, team work and the importance of making smart choices in life," said Ms. Knight. "Our goal is to empower our youth with the information and skills required for making responsible choices when dealing with peer pressure."
Aligned with the national DEFY motto, 'Strong children, strong families, for a ready future,' the program provides positive role-model mentoring and community outreach to improve the quality of life for military members and their families. It's designed to produce graduates with character, leadership and confidence to engage in positive, healthy lifestyles as drug-free citizens.
"The program instills team-building trust in the youth," said Senior Airman Kathryn Wood, DEFY assistant camp coordinator and member of the 437th Aerial Port Squadron. "DEFY teaches children how to create positive relationships and build trust with other people outside their close friends and family."
It's not only the youth who are learning something through the DEFY program. The adult volunteer mentors leave Phase I with a better understanding of just how 9 to 12-year-old youth think and react to stress and pressures.
"Most DEFY mentors and DEFY staff leave with a good feeling about themselves," said Ms. Knight. "Their self-esteem is boosted because they helped to influence these kids with positive reinforcement for dealing with peer pressure, gang resistance, and making smart choices for their lives."
Since its origin in 1993, more than 35,000 youth have graduated from the DEFY program on U.S. military bases worldwide. For more information, the DEFY website is located at www.donhq.navy.mil/defy.