Help support military families by becoming a Family Child Care Provider
Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday: Noon – 6:00 PM
CLOSED on Weekends, Federal Holidays, and 96th Test Wing Mission Resiliency Days
View Hours
Building 2582
2582 Hatchee Road
Youth Center
850.882.8212
Youth Center
96FSS.FSFY.youthcenter@us.af.mil
Youth Center
The vision of Youth Programs is to provide a “POSITIVE PLACE FOR KIDS” and to encourage cooperation between fellow youth members; to challenge young people to be responsible for their actions, resourceful with the environment and respectful of the ideas and customs of others.
This is accomplished by offering the highest quality programs available to the greatest 5 to 18 year old youth population in the Air Force! Professionally trained leaders display the characteristics necessary for every child to excel in the five core programs of Boys and Girls Clubs of America; Character and Leadership, Education and Workforce Readiness, Health and Wellness, The Arts, and Sports and Recreation.
Youth Center
The Youth Center is located near the West Gate within one mile of Eglin Elementary School. Use of the center averages approximately 70 youth per day. The center provides instructional classes, sports programs, social functions. The sports program includes basketball and soccer leagues and baseball camps. Instructional class is offered in dance. In addition to these events, the summer months offer AF sponsored and locally developed camps and field trips. The Youth Center staff is joined by an additional 50 volunteers that lend a helping hand throughout the year.
Before-and-After School Program and Summer Day Camps
The Before-and-After School Program and Summer Day Camp is a nationally accredited program that provides recreational/leisure skill programs- dramatic arts, sewing, cooking, sports and video games; academic assistance-computers, mentors, books and research materials; and clubs-bicycling, gardening, cooking and sewing for youth ages kindergarten – 12 years old. Our mission is to provide growth and development of school-age children through their out-of-school experiences. We provide a safe, supervised, healthily and age-appropriate environment, thus enabling the military community to accomplish their mission, knowing their children are taken care of in a “Positive Place”. All activities are offered in a cheery, clean and attractive building with a staff of dedicated personnel and a strong family atmosphere. The 36,000 square foot, world-class School Age facility was built adjacent to the Youth Center and includes an administrative area, offices, kitchen and 21 state-of-the-art classrooms. In addition, there is a stage area and section designed for indoor physical activity, as well as, enclosed outdoor play areas for climbing, jumping, running and even resting in the shade. Safety and security are number 1 at the facility, where an average of 170 children spend time each day. We want to make your child’s experience in our program a positive and enjoyable one. We hope to help them build a strong self-concept, develop self-reliance and a curiosity for learning.
Request for care for the School Age Program is available through MilitaryChildCare.com. The site enables families to create a household profile, conduct child care searches, submit requests for care and manage their requests at any time and from any location.
Featured News
2026 Gate To Gate Kids Run
Following Eglin’s 2026 Gate To Gate Memorial Run/Walk, the Eglin Youth Center will proudly present the traditional FREE GTG Kids Run on May 16 at 8:30 a.m.! — taking place at the running track next to the Eglin Field House.
Learn More
Youth Center Open House - Summer
Get ready for an action-packed summer! The Eglin Youth Center is opening its doors to all current and prospective members for a special summer open house event on May 5 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Learn More
My Mini & Me Dance Classes
Join the Eglin Youth Center on Tuesdays from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. beginning March 3, 2026 for a special dance program perfect for parents and their littles!
Learn More
Youth Center Gymnastics Classes
The Youth Center is partnering with Hop to It! Mobile Fitness to bring gymnastics directly to our facility every Thursday for ages 3 to 5 and K through 2nd Grade.
Learn More
Guitar Group Lessons
Get ready to strum your way into a world of musical fun! The Eglin Youth Center is offering group guitar lessons, perfect for young musicians aged 9 to 18! Aspiring guitarists can gather every Monday from 4:30 to 5:30 PM to learn as a group…
Dance Classes at the Youth Center
Weekdays | Ages 3-12
The Eglin Youth Center hosts weekly Dance Classes for ages 3 and up offering a variety of dance styles. Ballet, tap, and jazz classes are available, with each weekly class lasting 1 hour.
Teen Volunteer Opportunities
Teenagers looking for volunteer opportunities are invited to pitch in at the Eglin Youth Center! Help is needed with admin work, facility repairs, special events, and assisting in sports programs.
Child & Youth Behavioral Program
The Child & Youth Behavioral (CYB) Program is a component of the Military Family Life Counselor (MFLC) Program. The CYB-MFLCs provide broad-ranging…
Air Force Aid Society Education Programs
Concerned about the soaring cost of higher education for your children and spouse? Maybe the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) can help!…
Eglin Youth Center Membership
The Eglin Youth Center membership fee is $30 per month for youth ages 9-18. That’s just $1.50 per day for unlimited access during regular hours of operation!
Downloads & Links
Upcoming Events
Events
List of events in Photo View
