Military Youth & Teens

Your local youth center offers a variety of military youth and teen programs —from computer labs and music rooms to gyms, game rooms and more. Youth centers are available on every installation where families PCS and are staffed with trained professionals who understand how to connect with youth and support them through moves and deployment. The continuity of programming is important to help military-connected youth make smooth transitions between installations and develop meaningful connections in their new communities.

Help your children and teens to make smooth transitions to their new home and school. Your local school liaison or local youth center can make the referral for youth sponsorship before your move.

Military partnership programs offer children between the ages of 6 and 18 a solid support network that provides a sense of belonging, ongoing relationships with caring adults and a safe and healthy environment to develop lifelong skills. Youth centers and staff can help your teen connect to important growth opportunities, including 4-H Military Partnership,  as well as Boys & Girls Clubs of America summer camps and leadership programs like Youth of the Year and Keystone Club.

Your child may have countless friends on social media, but nothing beats that face-to-face interaction in a new environment. In addition, connecting with peers who understand the challenges associated with military life can help decrease stress. Boys & Girls Clubs of America and 4-H Military Partnership offer numerous social and learning opportunities designed to support military youth who don’t live on installation or close to a youth center.

Military teen adventure camps offer high energy and high adventure experiences across the United States. These camps include excursions like sailing, kayaking and survival experiences and are available to teens ages 13 to 18. Deployment support camps provide a safe space where your youth or teen can build a supportive network of other military youth who may have similar experiences.

Moving support — Military OneSource offers a variety of ways you can make the move easier for your military children. School liaisons can help with all of your educational needs. School liaisons are the main contact for military families, local school systems and installation command for school-related matters pre-K through 12. Local school liaisons help with transition support before and after a PCS and assist military-connected children with Interstate Compact compliance. For more education information and resources, review Changing Schools.

Help your children and teens to make smooth transitions to their new home and school. Your local school liaison or local youth center can make the referral for youth sponsorship before your move.

Military OneSource offers resources to help your teen land a job and be a reliable employee. Learn more about how to help your MilTeen prep for success. Installation youth centers can also assist teens with employment opportunities

Help your teen stay on track for future plans. Learn more about higher education resources for your children. School liaisons can help connect you with education resources before and after your move to help your teen stay on track.

Help your children learn how to develop healthy ways to deal with stress and life’s curveballs. The Military and Family Life Counseling Program can help with a parent’s deployment, a family move or the general pressures of teen life.