USMA MWR Youth Services

What is the EDGE! ?
West Point is one of several installations piloting a new after- school program called the EDGE!

The program provides age- appropriate after-school programs for children and youth in grades 1-12. Child, Youth & School Services has partnered with MWR facilities to implement after-school programs at their locations.

EDGE! program themes include Art, Adventure, Fitness, and Lifestyles. EDGE! allows children to Experience, Develop, Grow, and Excel while having FUN!

Adventure EDGE! encourages children and youth to embrace the outdoors and nature while being exposed to activities that stimulate relaxation. Adventure options might include bowling, ecology, fishing, geocaching, golf, hiking, kayaking, orienteering, rock or wall climbing, skiing, swimming, etc. MWR partners are: Golf Course • Rod & Gun Club • Horse Stables • Sports & Fitness Center
• Library • Marina • Outdoor Recreation Centers.

Art EDGE! promotes learning-by-doing and focuses on the development of lifetime skills while exposing participants to the arts. Art EDGE! activities increase creative development while building self-esteem. Art options might include ceramics, computer graphic design, digital film making, digital music making, digital photography, drawing, fashion design, Hip Hop, painting, scrapbooking, theater arts, woodworking, etc. MWR partners are: Arts & Crafts Center • Entertainment Centers • Library • Marketing Office • Outdoor Recreation Centers

Fit EDGE! educates and encourages children and youth to incorporate a healthier lifestyle through physical activity and nutritional awareness programs. Fit options might include adventure sports, aerobics, body sculpting, bowling, customized fitness programs, golf, nutrition programs, strength training, stress management, team and pick-up sports, weight management, weight training, yoga, etc. MWR partners are: Aquatic Facility • Bowling Center • Golf Course • Horse Stables • Library • Marina • Outdoor Recreation Centers • Sports & Fitness Facility • Skating Rink

Life EDGE! imparts upon children and youth the skills needed for life-long growth as well as the exploration of future career fields. Life options might be age-specific basic cooking, baking and culinary art activities, auto maintenance and repair skills, book clubs, computer skills, consumer skills, dog obedience, health and food safety, ecology and living green, marketing and advertising, money management, pet care, research skills, study skills, time-management, etc. MWR partners are: Army Community Service (ACS) • Auto Skills Center • Bowling Center Snack Bar • West Point Club • Community Clubs • Library • Golf Course Snack Bar • Rod & Gun Club • Marketing Office
• Pet Care Center • Recreation Centers

What is the HIRED! ?
The HIRED! Youth encompasses two main components of the program, being “HIRed”- actually working in a paid position-and “Education”-that is, participating in workforce-preparation and secondary education exploration classes, which prepare the participant for life after high school. HIRED! Apprenticeships offer experiences within distinct career paths designed to help participants determine whether said career paths are viable career choices for their future.
Students graduating from high school are facing profound social, technological and economic changes. The goal of the HIRED! Apprentice Program is to help teens develop the necessary confidence and employee-valued abilities to succeed in today’s competitive job market. Child, Youth & School Services (CYSS) and Family and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (FMWR) Partner Organizations have joined together to prepare teens for these rabidly-changing conditions. The HIRED! Apprenticeship Program provides a community-wide framework to help develop today’s youth to become productive members of society.

HIRED! Apprenticeship Terms:
HIRED! Apprentice Terms consist of 4, twelve week terms repeated annually. Participants 15-18 years of age are able to participate in a maximum of 2 terms per year for 3 consecutive years. Within each 12 week term, apprentices are expected to work 15 hours in a 7 day period while concurrently participating in the HIRED! Workforce Preparation and Secondary Education Exploration Workshops. HIRED! Workforce-Preparation Workshops are provided by the HIRED! Program Coordinator or the HIRED! MWR Placement Site.

HIRED! Summer Term Option:
Apprentices are allowed to serve two (2) HIRED! Terms per year. Accommodations can be made for apprentices to complete their authorized two (2) HIRED! Terms all at one time during the summer, meaning they would actually participate in 30 hours in a seven-day period. This exception can only be made in the summer.

HIRED! Apprentice Selection Process:
1. Must be 15-18 years of age. However, at 14 a teen can start taking the prerequisite courses.
2. Six workforce-preparation and secondary-education trainings are a prerequisite for participation in the HIRED! Apprenticeship Program. (Offered at Youth Services – no cost)
3. School document showing a grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher.
4. All potential Apprentices must have a current CYSS Membership and up to date shot record on file at the Youth Services before applying for Apprenticeship position.

Cash Awards:
HIRED! Apprentices are eligible for cash awards through CYS Services through -State University, upon completion of a HIRED! Twelve week Term. All HIRED! Apprentices work under the same HIRED! Apprentice Position Description.
1st and 2nd Term is a cash award of $500 dollars per each term
3nd and 4rd Term is a cash award of $625 dollars per each term
5th and 6th Term is a cash award of $750 dollars per each term