NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION -- Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station hosted a kid’s camp at the base from August 8-12, 2016. The camp is for children of Air Force Guard, Reserve and Active Duty members, ranging in age from 8-12 years old. Additionally, teenagers, ages 13-18 may participate as assistants to the counselors.
Kid’s camp is held for one week over the summer and was started at Niagara four years ago. Stephanie Graf, New York State 4-H Military Liaison, Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County, applies for the grant each year so that this camp can exist.
“As the New York State 4-H Military Liaison we are given the opportunity to apply for the funds through the Air Force," said Graf. "It is a competitive application. We were selected and awarded the funds to offer the camp for the 4th year in a row.”
Each year, the camp focuses on a specific theme. This year's theme is career exploration. Activities are planned out for the week, with members of the community stopping in to talk to the children. Among those who visited this week were Mr. John Cooper from the Niagara Military Affairs Council and later in the week, bakers from Wegmans came in to show the children how to make their own pretzels.
On Wednesday, the children visited the Hydro Electric Plant in Niagara Falls, where the children learned about harnessing energy from natural resources like water and wind.
“We try to teach them...but also have them have fun and be able to do things and tie it all in together,” said Jeanne Goetze, 107th Airlift Wing, Family Support.