Pope children taught to resist negative behaviors

By Airman 1st Class Kate Wetherby
43rd AW PAO

	Courtesy Photo The Drug Education for Youth campers met Jan. 8, for a class about gang resistance, cyber bullying and Internet safety. Following the class, the campers participated in a group word search.

Children are constantly exposed to good and bad influences through numerous outlets. Whether it is the Internet, television, or other children, the importance of educating our youth on various issues is still a constant necessity.

Earlier this month, Pope Air Force Base sponsored an event educating children on gang resistance, bullying, cyber safety and many other important topics.

The Drug Education For Youth program is a professionally developed curriculum that incorporates key characteristics of successful substance abuse prevention programs as identified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

In 1999, the Air Force became a partner in the DEFY effort and began conducting DEFY camps at numerous installations worldwide.

DEFY is a two-phased prevention program for children ages 9 to 12. DEFY deters “at-risk” behaviors by giving children the tools they need to resist drugs and develop positive social skills. The leadership and life skills training provided by DEFY include goal-setting, team-building, conflict resolution and decision-making.

“Phase I is a structured, five day residential camp environment conducted during the summer,” said Tracy DeVeault, Drug Demand Reduction program manager. “During Phase I, DEFY youths participated in classroom learning that covers goal setting, leadership and teamwork, physical fitness, substance abuse prevention, and self-esteem enhancement.

“In addition, Phase I participants engage in educational field trips and participate in the President’s Fitness Challenge,” said DeVeault. “Aside from the education and training they receive, Phase I enables them to interact with adult mentors and staff to enhance the effectiveness of Phase II,” said DeVeault.

This phase also covers education recognizing the risks of gang involvement, dangers of bullying, and navigating the Internet safely. Phase I additionally coincides with Phase II and is designed to reinforce the concepts and training received.

“During Phase II, mentors and staff provide positive support during group mentoring sessions and interactive workshops,” said DeVeault. “DEFY sites also participate in activities that promote civic responsibility and expose DEFY kids to vocational and recreational opportunities.”

In addition to the education the children receive, they also participate in various activities that help them better understand the concepts they are being taught.

“We incorporate activities while educating them,” explained DeVeault. “We have group discussions, watch movies, scavenger hunts, talent contests and many other events that get the kids to participate.

According to DeVeault, the most important part of the program focuses on how this education is beneficial to the children who attend, and why it makes a difference in their personal lives.

“DEFY is designed to teach life skills,” said DeVeault. “There is more to the program than just drug awareness. We also help with self esteem, social behavior, resistance skills and attitudes toward drugs and alcohol.”

Emily Hopel, who started off as a youth camper and is now a fourth year junior mentor, was eager to learn about drug and violence prevention.

“I really enjoyed learning about how to get youths off the streets, and the monthly activities helped reinforce the lesson,” said Hopel.

From being a camper to a junior mentor, Hopel reflected on how one message really hit home to her and other campers.

“While being a camper I realized how being involved in drugs and gang violence can affect your life,” said Hopel. “By teaching alternatives to these damaging activities, we educate campers on how positive your life can be without them.”

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