Operation Night Hoops offers drug free environment for teens

  • Published
  • By By Senior Airman Nick Wilson
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Twenty-six teenagers attended Whiteman Air Force Base Youth Center Night Hoops event, for teenagers ages 13-18 March 30.

Operation Night Hoops is a teen program, held monthly, and designed to help teens play basketball in a safe and drug free environment.

A few different events that took place were a game of red light, green light, a king and queen of dribblers competition and a clap pass competition. Various gifts were given away to the winners of the competitions and free snacks and drinks were provided to the teenagers.

"The turnout was awesome," said Kim O'Brien, 509th Force Support Squadron Youth Center teen coordinator. "We had the largest number of teens we've ever had."
In addition to providing a safe, drug free environment, Operation Night Hoops gave the teens an opportunity to build teamwork and leadership.

"Not only do the children get to have fun, but they learn life skills they can use at school and later on in life," O'Brien said.

Many teens enjoy attending Operation Night Hoops because it gets them out of the house and puts them in a social environment with their peers.

"At Operation Night Hoops you get to come and play basketball with your friends, meet a bunch of new friends, be competitive, work as a team and have a good time," said Jacob Rice, eighth grade student at Warrensburg Middle School.

Since this event takes place once a month, anyone older than 18 is able to volunteer to chaperone.

"We also encourage adults to come play with the teens to be positive role models," O'Brien said.

Operation Night Hoops also provides an alternative to teens living the inactive lifestyle of staying at home playing videogames or watching television.

"I think the teens enjoy the teamwork and getting together with their friends in a somewhat competitive environment," O'Brien said.