MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Approximately 60 Iwakuni children participated in a weeklong summer camp geared towards educating them about ways to resist drug use.
The Drug Education for Youth program teaches children valuable lessons about avoiding drugs, working with others and building self-confidence in themselves.
According to Kerri George, DEFY Camp director, the classes, workshops and other various activities the children go through help them achieve a high level of confidence.
"The DEFY program is designed to teach children valuable team building skills, as well as instilling a greater sense of self-esteem," said George.
Although DEFY is a year-round program, the residential setting offered by the weeklong summer camp gives the children an opportunity to experience and build bonds with each other, noted George.
"Creating good friendships is really a big part of the drug prevention process," said George. "They're learning how to rely on themselves, but also how important it is to watch out for one another."
The aspect of teamwork wasn't hard for some DEFY participants to pick up on, according to Alisha McDaniel, an 11-year-old DEFY camper.
"I learned that sometimes you just have to get along with people," said McDaniel. "They taught us what saying mean things does to a person. If we say one bad thing about someone then we have to say two nice things."
The most important goal of the program is getting the youth to understand the dangers of drug use and the ways to avoid it.
"I like to play sports and drugs slow you down," said Teddy Parsons, an 11-year-old DEFY camper. "Drugs are bad because they hurt your body and get you in trouble."
The campers got a chance to show what they were capable of through the many physical challenges they encountered as well.
"We were on the bike trail earlier and we're taking the kids to an obstacle course tomorrow," said Donald Welker, DEFY camp counselor. "We try to teach them how much they can do without drugs."
The counselors for the camp are both military and civilian volunteers from the Station and say they can't think of a more important way to spend their time than warning kids about the dangers of drug use.
"This is a great program," said Welker. "The kids and counselors are all having a blast and we're proud to be out here and be a part of this."
To find out more information about the DEFY program contact George at 253-5368 or Teri Lovely at 253-6962.