JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
The Joint Base Charleston - Air Base Youth Programs recently enhanced the current natural playground area at the youth center with the addition of interactive and musical equipment for the children.
Shannon Norris, AB Youth Programs director, explained music is a vital component of the Youth Programs' curriculum, and the new elements allow children to be creative, practice rhythm, learn cause and effect, find notes and work together to create a "symphony." The musical additions to the play area include a pebble harp, sound tubes, thunder drum and steel drums.
"Children immediately gravitated toward these items," said Norris. "With the addition of our music area we plan on increasing the performances held at the amphitheater and expand from using pre-recorded music for dances to allowing youth to create the music for performances."
The other improvements to the play area include a collection table area where the children can sort, count, rearrange, make patterns, dig and mix materials, as well as a natural seating area and ropes obstacle course.
"Children immediately put on the blacked-out goggles and started making their way around the ropes obstacle course," said Norris. "This activity allowed youth to work closely with a partner while enhancing their communication and listening skills, gave them the opportunity to work together, struggle, deal with failure and master the problems presented to them."
Norris added that the play area also gave the children an increased sense of accomplishment because the children helped lay down mulch in the area and stain the wooden materials before it was installed.
The children also helped come up with the idea for the new equipment. Dorothy Cybrynski, 628th Force Support Squadron Airman & Family Services chief, explained the enhancements came as a result of the AB Youth Programs receiving an Air Force grant that had been applied for after a member of the staff talked with the children to get their input on what type of equipment they wanted. The staff member applied for the grant and the AB Youth Programs received $9,300 for updates to the play area.
While the recent additions have brought great improvements to the play area, Norris said that they are not done yet.
"This project serves as a stepping-stone to our long-term plans for this area," added Norris. "We also plan on having youth enhance the walking path with stepping-stones, plants and flowers, while also adding a raised garden."
For more information on services offered by the AB Youth Programs, call 963-5684 or find them on the web at www.JBCharleston.com.