ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
Team Andrews' parents wanting to expose their children to fun exercise and art classes need only visit the base's Youth Center. The center provides instruction to children through dance, piano, gymnastics, taekwondo, and Vogue modeling classes.
"The classes here at the Youth Center provide children exposure to the arts, assists them with physical activity and provides positive programming overall," said Matrice Adger, Youth Center teen director. "We offer a wide variety of classes for youth ages three to 18 so we cover it all."
Classes at the Youth Center are taught by local certified businesses. "We offer a variety of classes to meet the needs of our families who live both on- and off-base," said Ms. Adger. "We offer gymnastics for youth ages three to 18. We also offer dance classes including hip hop, jazz, tap and ballet for boys and girls, ages three to 18. We have taekwondo classes for children ages six through 18 and we also have beginner and advanced piano classes up to 18 years of age. And, lastly, there is a 5-week Vogue Modeling seminar for ages 6 through 18."
C.J. Hitchcock from the Agency 9 Dance Studio teaches dance each Monday at 5:00 p.m. Master Lynette Love teaches Taekwondo class on Wednesday and Thursday at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Gymnastics class is Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. and Donna Ashby teaches piano on Tuesday and Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. Ms. Adger added The next Vogue Modeling seminar begins Saturday Nov. 8 at 3:30 p.m. Mrs. Oletha Sloan will teach the five-week session.
All classes are held at the Youth Center and prices vary by class. Though classes have already started, Ms. Adger said that enrollment is on-going. "Parents should feel free to enroll their children at any time. Except for the Vogue Modeling class--which has a definite start date."
Parents who enroll their children in Youth Center membership get discounted rates for the center's instructional classes. "We encourage the youth to be a member of the Youth Center in order to get a discount," said Ms. Adger. "Membership is $20 and children have to be at least five years old. Plus, they get discounts on other events and functions throughout the year that we offer such as sports and field trips."