Annual July Jamboree promotes outdoor fun

  • Published
  • By Airman Greg Nash
  • 23 WG/PA
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Moody's Youth Programs hosted their second annual July Jamboree, July 6, here. 

The free event kicked off with a watermelon-eating contest and also consisted of kickball games, water-balloon fights, three-legged races and a slip-and-slide bounce house.

The jamboree provided the youth with outdoor activities as they fellowshipped with other kids in the Youth Program and staff members.

"The purpose of the jamboree is to get the kids outside and be active," said Ashleigh Stafford, Moody Youth Program child and youth program assistant. "A lot of kids aren't as active as they should be. As opposed to playing video games or being idle, we want to give the kids an outlet to improve their health through physical activity and improve their social skills. Having fun is the main objective."

The Youth Program staff focused on promoting art, education, sports, health and life skills, character and leadership for the jamboree.

"The whole staff agreed to build upon last year's activities and get bigger and better as we continue the tradition," said Stafford. "We want to implement more age appropriate activities for the older youth during the event and still make it fun for our younger participants."

Approximately 50 Youth Program participants were involved in this year's event, compared to 35 last year.

"As a result of increased youth participation, the whole staff was in attendance to enjoy the activities as well," said Eboni Register, Moody Youth Programs program assistant. "It was an enjoyable experience. I definitely think the kids had more fun at this year's event." 

For the third annual July Jamboree, the staff hopes to increase the number of participants involved and include more activities.

Additionally, the Youth Program will continue hosting events in the near future including Movies by the Moonlight, a cavern trip and a trip to a water park in Florida.

For more information, contact the Moody Youth's Programs at 229-257-3067.