Let's jam: Moody's youth experience July Jamboree

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ceaira Tinsley
  • 23d WIng Public Affairs
Moody Air Force Base, Ga. --  Moody's Youth Programs hosted the first ever July Jamboree at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., July 21, 2014.

The July Jamboree included various activities such as a watermelon-eating and seed-spitting contests, karaoke battle, slip-and-slide bounce house, water-balloon activities and hot potato.

The goal of this event was to get children back to the basics of being outside instead of being stuck inside, said Ashleigh Stafford, child and youth program assistant. The youth center has all types of [video] games but being outside and playing is more valuable, she said.

"They need to run, they need to exercise and they need to enjoy themselves," Stafford added. "This event was a fun and interactive way for the kids to get out of the building and interact with each other like children."

The event was free and open for all to come out to experience Moody's first-ever July Jamboree and more than twenty-five youths were in attendance.

"We invited everybody," said Stafford. "When the music starts playing and the bounce houses start going up people just begin to come."

Additionally, the children who populate the youth center created the theme and Stafford planned the activities to make their idea come to life.

"We asked them what they would like to do and what would draw them in," she explained. "We have five core categories that we use to plan activities; health and life skills, character and leadership, art, education and sports. As long as it's safe and fun, and can be a learning experience for them we will do it."

Furthermore, family members and volunteers in attendance were able to engage in all the activities and join in on the fun.

"I had a blast playing all the games with the youth in attendance," said Teaira Parker, a Team Moody family member. "The children and I really enjoyed ourselves and I will definitely attend future events hosted by the youth center."

Moody's Youth Programs host numerous events open for all to come join in on the festivities such as family skate night, membership parties and teen lock-ins.