December kids events

Photo By Cpl. Crystal Druery | Dobson Parchment, military child, finishes his hand painting during Parents' Day Out Dec. 10. This event was the beginning of many for December kids events hosted by the Family Readiness Program on Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Parents' Day Out was a four-hour window for parents to take care of holiday errands while their children interacted with other military children and enjoyed arts and crafts. The next events go from Dec. 20 through Dec. 22, these events are more education and are meant to help children with safety, understanding the military lifestyle better, and gaining confidence.  

CA, UNITED STATES

12.10.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Crystal Druery 

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego     

SAN DIEGO -- Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego’s Family Readiness Program is hosting their fifth annual December Kids Events throughout the month. These events are held during San Diego school district holiday breaks to help give parents time to themselves and give children an opportunity to learn while having holiday fun with other depot children.

The first event FRP hosted was Parents’ Day Out Dec. 10, giving parents a four-hour window to take care of holiday errands while their children enjoyed arts and crafts. At 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning, Dec. 10, parents were able to start dropping their children off at the FRP building. Some parents used this time to take care of holiday shopping while others needed some time to themselves during the busy holiday month.

Tracy Genica, Marine Corps Family Team Building coordinator, said the reason FRP started December Kids Events five years ago was because parents constantly were saying they didn’t have enough time during the holidays to shop, go to the gym or any of the other things they needed to take care of.

“We hope to give parents the opportunity to do things on base and take care of themselves while their children have fun,” said Genica.

Angelita Andrea, Navy spouse and mother of four, has barely anytime to herself making events like Parents’ Day Out a wonderful opportunity to take care of herself and to do holiday shopping.

“It’s four hours of relief for me,” said Andrea. “This is one of the few chances I get to myself. I have a lot of holiday shopping to do and now I have a chance to go to the gym after shopping.”

While parents were occupying their time, the children started their day with a North Pole experience. This included writing a letter to Santa Claus and dropping it off in the special mail box that delivered the letter to the North Pole. They then worked on arts and crafts such as painting with their hands and much more. To top things off, the children were also provided snacks and lunch.

The next event for December Kids Events is Tell Me a Story Dec. 20 from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. A Marine will read, “Night Catch,” to children of all ages with the participation of parents. A free book will also be handed out to all of the children that attend.

Children from ages six to twelve may be dropped off at noon Dec. 20 to participate in L.I.N.K.S. for Kids. This is a military lifestyle class giving children the opportunity to meet others that have experienced some of the same things that come, with being a child of an active duty member, said Genica.

There will also be a Safety Standown for children ages five to fourteen, Dec. 21, that will involve the children participating in interactive workshops with different safety groups such as Substance Abuse Counseling Office, firemen and more.

The last event, New Year, New Me, takes place Dec. 22 and will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Genica said this will be a character workshop where the children will move from one station to another to learn from Families Overcoming Stress, Behavior Health Services and San Diego Hall of Champions. This event focuses to help children gain confidence.

“This event will teach children, through positive role models, that we should try to be the best that we can be,” said Genica. “We will try to help them understand the lessons while having fun through games and activities.”

The events from Dec. 20 through Dec. 22 are limited to the first 40 registrants. To register please contact Tracy Genica, [phone].

“These events are a good chance for the children, especially mine that usually only get to play with one another, to get out and play with other military children while learning,” said Andrea.

• Date Taken: 12.10.2011
• Date Posted: 12.20.2011 16:32
• Story ID: 81627
• Location: CA, US