MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Matthew C. Perry Elementary and High school students visited the Kintai Bridge during a field trip Aug. 5 sponsored by the Drug Education For Youth program.
DEFY is an eight-day program designed to help kids become more open, confident and have fun with other children.
The program shows children, ages 8-12 the dangers of drugs and how to repel low self esteem, peer pressure, poor eating habits and other struggles they may face.
DEFY takes the children on field trips to different places such as the Provost Marshal’s Office or the Sakura Theater here. However, the program also takes the kids off base to places like Iwakuni Castle or Miyajima island.
“DEFY helped me a lot to get out of my shell,” said Ashley Rayos, 12, M.C. Perry High School student.
The children learn it is okay to say no to the crowd and friends if the decision is the wrong thing to do.
The program allows the kids to break off into teams and do different activities as groups in order to help teach each other about different ways to have fun.
As kids learn from each other, the program allows everyone the chance to take on a leadership role and practice their social skills within their group.
Military customs and courtesies are incorporated into the program such as when the children are broken up into teams, or platoons, led by a flag, or guideon.
Every morning and evening DEFY children stand in formation as the American flag is raised, lowered and folded.
However, DEFY tries to keep most military traditions out of the program, said Seaman Seth B. Anderson, volunteer mentor.
The program is centered around teaching the children to make better decisions and allowing them to grow in their own ways, said Petty Officer 1st Class William L. Gordon, assistant program coordinator.
“We took the kids out to the buffet and let them eat whatever they wanted,” said Gordon.
After the meal, the children and mentors got together and talked about how they felt and what they could have eaten instead.
One of the key lessons DEFY emphasizes is staying healthy.
DEFY teaches kids it is healthier to eat smaller snacks throughout the day rather than larger meals, said Gordon.
Eating healthy is not the only part to being healthy, DEFY also emphasizes staying active as an important factor.
“The biggest ‘drug’ this year is video games,” said Anderson.
The program incorporates wellknown games like kickball or soccer to make exercise fun for kids.
DEFY also creates its own games to keep the children involved.
“I think the most beneficial part is the kids are learning to have fun with people their own age,” said Anderson.
According to Chief Petty Officer Edwin N. Guingab, local program coordinator, M.C. Perry has reported a visible difference in maturity and behavior between the DEFY children and their fellow classmates.
For more information about DEFY or volunteer opportunities call 253-4249.