EAFB IS BEST AIR BASE YOUTH PROGRAM HONORED.

Byline: Daily News

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE - Edwards Air Force Base's youth program received the Air Force's 2002 Best Youth Program Award.

With help from 400 volunteers, Edwards runs a youth activities center, a new teen center opened last year, youth center annex, before- and after-school programs, summer camp and youth sports.

``Taking care of our people includes providing outstanding programs for the youth of Edwards, continuing to make this a great place to live and work,'' said Les Bordelon, Air Force Flight Test Center executive director.

The youth center, a member of the National Boys & Girls Club, offers bowling, roller skating, swimming, arts and crafts, dance class, gymnastics, karate and field trips off the base.

The youth sports department provides soccer, football, cheerleading, basketball, baseball, softball and ``Hook a Kid on Golf'' programs.

``The quality of the programs comes down to the quality of the volunteers that donate their time, knowledge and experience directly to the children,'' said Jeff Lensch, youth sports director.

A youth employment skills program allows teens to volunteer with base employers and earn $1,000 in scholarship money toward college tuition, while gaining job skills.

The youth program has a partnership with the base elementary schools called ``Bridging the Gap,'' which assists children in transitioning from kindergarten to first grade.

The program later began busing children enrolled in the after-school reading and homework program, ``Power Hour,'' from the schools to the youth center.