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Youth Center

The Youth Centers sponsor many events and offer a wide range of programs for kids and families. We offer karate, dance and piano classes. In addition, we offer sports such as baseball, softball, flag football, cheer, basketball and soccer.

Programs at the Youth Center


  • Torch Club
  • Keystone Club
  • Career Launch

  • Fine Arts

  • Computers

  • Power Hour
  • Karate

  • Arts & Crafts

  • Smart Girls
  • Passport 2 Manhood
  • Triple Play
  • Healthy Habits
Tinker Youth Center

Youth Sports

Youth Sports programs offer a wide variety of athletic programs for youth ages 5-12 years. We also have our Start Smart program, which offers instructional sports to our younger audience 3-4 years old. Start Smart Sports are fantastic, skill-building opportunities for children. These programs are designed to keep your child active while building important teamwork skills 

Seasonal Sports:
  • Basketball

  • Baseball

  • Flag Football

  • Soccer

  • Spirit Squad

Special Offer

Frequently Asked Questions


FAQs


What is CYPBMS?

CYPBMS is a Department of Defense (DoD) information system. It is designed for parents to have one account, Air Force wide, with an easy transistion from installation to installation. This parent account will be used for all registration and payment processing for all Child & Youth Programs (CYP). 

New users, please contact your center front desk staff to receive an email invite to create an account in CYPBMS.

What is “Give Parents a Break”?

This program is offered in conjunction with the Air Force Aid Society for parents in stressful situations and have children between 5-12 years old. See your squadron commander, first sergeant, chaplain, doctor or other medical professional, family advocacy personnel, Military and Family Readiness Center Personnel for a GPAB certificate.

How do I request childcare?

MilitaryChildCare.com (MCC) is a website for military families seeking child care. This site will allow families to search for and request care from a wide range of military operated and military subsidized child care options across all Services to include Child Development Centers, School Age Programs, and Family Child Care Homes. Additional benefits from Child and Youth Programs (CYP) are standardized procedures for effective waiting list management, expedited placement of children and youth into available programs, and enhanced daily operations for programs.

Why do parents have to pay for child care when their child is sick?
The program’s costs of operating the center do not decrease when one or more children are absent in a room. Unless at least half of the children are absent, the same number of staff must be present to ensure the health and safety of the children. The fees collected from parents are used to pay the care giving staff and those costs do not decrease because of the absence of a few children.
Why are the fees at off-base centers cheaper in some areas?

There are several reasons why the fees at some off-base centers may be lower than the Department of the Air Force child development or school age programs. Many off-base centers do not provide infant and toddler care or, if they do, provide only a few spaces for these age groups. These age groups are the most expensive to provide care because caregivers care for fewer children than the older age groups. Most Air Force centers devote up to half (or more) of their spaces to infants and toddlers, therefore, the overall cost of operating is higher. Secondly, staff:child ratios (the number of children for whom one caregiver can provide care) are different. In many states, the number of children per caregiver is much higher than the Air Force considers necessary to provide good care for children. Finally, off-base centers may pay low wages and not be concerned about high staff turnover; some off-base centers pay minimum wage and have very high staff turnover. The Department of the Air Force believes it is important for children to be taken care of by the same caregiver from day-to-day. The caregiver gets to know the child, establishes an emotional bond, and is more aware when the child is coming down with a potentially life-threatening illness. Paying caregivers enough to minimize staff turnover reduces the amount of time spent recruiting, screening, and training caregivers and saves parent’s money in the long run.

Why does child care cost so much?

Caring for children is an expensive service because it is labor intensive, especially, for infants and toddlers. Over 50% of the total cost of providing child care and 95% of the cost paid by parents is for caregivers. Child care fees include 10 meals and up to 5 snacks per week. 

What happens if a family refuses to provide proof of income?

Families have to provide proof of income for the sponsor and the spouse. Childcare enrollment could be denied if documents are not provided due to the significant amount of care requested on the wait list.

How is family income determined and what forms are required for verification?

The October 2020 Application for Department of Defense (DoD) Child Care Fees, DD Form 2652, or electronic equivalent will be used to verify total family income (TFI) as defined in Department of Defense Instructions (DoDIs) 6060.02. For the purposes of determining child care fees in the Department of Defense Child Development Programs, TFI is defined as all earned income including wages, salaries, tips, special duty pay (flight pay, active duty demo pay, sea pay), active duty save pay, long-term disability benefits, voluntary salary deferrals, retirement or other pension income including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) paid to the spouse/partner and Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits paid to the surviving spouse before deductions for taxes using the individual’s most recent W-2 or Leave and Earning Statement. TFI calculations must also include quarters subsistence and other allowances appropriate for the rank and status of military or civilian personnel whether received in cash or in-kind. Programs should not include alimony, child support received by the custodial parent, SSI received on behalf of the dependent child, reimbursements for educational expenses or health and wellness benefits, cost of living (COLA) received in high cost areas, temporary duty allowances, or reenlistment bonuses. Do not include cash awards, bonuses, or overtime pay in TFI calculation. TFI includes the appropriate Non-Locality Basic Allowance for Housing with Dependents Rate (BAH Reserve Component/Transit (RC/T)) for all members, regardless of whether they live in government housing or off-installation. Programs will use the local BAH rate in locations where military members receive less than the BAH RC/T allowance. For dual-military living in government quarters, include BAH RC/T of the senior member only; for Defense civilian OCONUS, include either the housing allowance or the value of the in-kind housing provided. Note that the BAH RC/T rate is based on the calendar year. Programs will use the appropriate year’s rate when calculating fees.

Why are the fees based on total family income?
Rather than basing the fees on military rank, the fees are based on a family’s ability to pay. Total family income is a better yardstick since it takes into consideration all income available to pay the child care bill. Additionally one of the purposes of the military child care program is to improve the economic viability of military families. Those families with the lowest incomes are those most in need of assistance with their child care expenses.
What services do families receive for their fees?
Fees are based on a typical Monday–Friday operation which hours total 50 or more. SAC fees are adjusted based on the number of program hours provided. Meals (breakfast, lunch and a snack) are included.
How are fees determined?
The fees are set by DoD to pay approximately half of the total cost of providing the care. The Military Child Care Acts of 1989/1996 directed parents to pay approximately half of the cost of care. Fees are set high enough to only cover the costs not paid for by the taxpayers.
How do I enroll for Before & After School Care, Day Camp, etc.

Parents register their children through www.militarychildcare.com. Parents will create an account, then search for Tinker AFB School Age center and complete a request for care. Once they have submitted a request for care MCC.com will populate our waitlist with the child’s priority. If a spot is currently available then the parents will receive an offer of care from us, then they would simply accept the offer and complete the enrollment packet. If a space is not currently available then the child will remain on the list until either a space becomes available or until care needs identified by the parent are no longer current. One important note is that parents have only 48 hours to accept if an offer for care is presented. After 48 hours the offer for care expires, the offer is withdrawn and made to the next child on the waitlist.

Torch Club

Pre-Teen Programs

Torch Club gives youth, ages 9-13, the opportunity to develop their leadership skills through service to their Youth Center and community. Torch Club members learn to work together to plan and implement activities in four areas: education, health and fitness, service to club and community, and social recreation.

Air Force Teen Council (AFTC)

Teen Programs

Air Force Teen Council is a network of teens from AF bases around the Midwest working to resolve issues and voice teen concerns to the highest levels of AF leadership on behalf of teens locally and worldwide.

Keystone Club

Teen Programs

Keystone is Boys & Girls Club of America’s (BGCA) premiere teen character and leadership program. The program helps develop good character and positive leadership skills for young members ages 14 to 18. Teens learn the value of good citizenship and community service and are encouraged to participate in activities in four key focus areas: community service, academic success, career preparation and teen outreach.

Youth of the Year

Scholarship Programs

Develops teens’ leadership skills through experiences in and out of the club. This leadership development program includes hands-on activities, exploring topics such as identity, passion, personal branding, voice, teamwork, goal setting, as well as activities to prepare them for the Youth of the Year selection process. Each year, one deserving teen will be selected to represent Tinker AFB as their Military Youth of the Year and receive a $5000 scholarship after competing at the state competition. The Youth of the Year will then be able to compete against other military bases at Regionals for a chance at additional scholarships.

Congressional Award

Scholarship Programs

The Congressional Award is the United States Congress' award for young Americans. It is non-partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive. The program is open to all 14 to 23-year-olds. Participants earn bronze, silver and gold Congressional Award certificates and bronze, silver and gold Congressional Award medals.

Presidential Award

Scholarship Programs

The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes youth and adult volunteers who have achieved the required number of hours of service over a 12-month period. The awards are offered in multiple levels and are designed to recognize each milestone of your service achievement: bronze, silver, and gold.

Parent Advisory Board


  • Parents are always welcome to visit and assist with their child's care to the extent that their duty permits.

  • The Parent Advisory Board/involvement is a committee of all the Child & Youth Programs (CYP). The PAB acts only in an advisory capacity, providing recommendations for improving services. The Chairperson of the PAB is a parent.

  • The Parent Advisory Committee selects a center parent representative. Each representative attends the Parent Advisory Board meeting. The Parent Advisory Board meets with the Child & Youth Programs Flight Chief and Center Directors at least quarterly, and with the Mission Support Group Commander at least annually. The minutes of the Parent Advisory Board meetings are forwarded to the Mission Support Group Commander for review.

  • If you are interested in attending the next Parent Advisory Board meeting, please see your center's director for more information.

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Contact


  • 4460 McNarney Ave, Tinker Air Force Base, OK 73145

    Opening Hours

    Monday-Friday: 6 AM-6 PM*

    Saturday: Closed

    Sunday: Closed

    *Mid-Del Spring Break, Summer Break, Fall Break, and Winter Break hours of operation: 6:30 AM- 5:30 PM

  • 4460 McNarney Ave, Tinker Air Force Base, OK 73145

    School Year

    Monday-Thursday: 3 PM-8 PM

    Friday: 3 PM-9 PM

    Saturday: 10AM -4PM

    Sunday: Closed

    Summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day)

    Monday-Thursday: 1 PM-8 PM

    Friday: 1-9 PM

    Saturday & Sunday: Closed