Youth Center caters to teens, school-aged children Published March 11, 2016 By Angela Woolen Robins Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Upgrades to the Robins Youth Center will provide teenagers a place to hang out that they can call their own. The second floor is being converted to a teen center while martial arts and dance classes are being moved to the downstairs gymnasium. "We're dusting off our shelves for the teen program," said Anthony Raas, 78th Force Support Squadron Sustainment Flight chief. The program features a variety of activities each day for school-aged children to participate in. Clubs such a teen leadership, science and cooking are offered. There are eight fields for soccer, baseball, basketball and softball. The gymnasium is used for the youth programs as well as health fairs and egg hunts during Easter. "We want to give kids a home away from home where they have an opportunity to socialize in a safe environment," Raas said. Teens can also visit the game room which has foosball, air hockey, pool and a snack bar. On the far side is a rock climbing wall. Stools sit around tables and dot the space so there is a place to hang out and munch on food. There are two rooms for art and reading. The youth program also offers a camp during spring break as well as a lottery-based summer camp which can hold up to 144 students. Children will go on field trips each week during the summer. During the school year, 10 employees care for the 55 children who attend the before and after school program. For summer camp, that number quadruples to 40. "A lot of people don't know the work that goes into this. They're caring for precious cargo all the time," Raas said. What to know: An egg hunt will be held March 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Youth Center. There will be free food, drinks and activities for the family. For more information, call 478-926-2110.