Zoo visit
The Alexandria Zoo brings an animal presentation to Fort Polk’s Allen Memorial Library Saturday as part of the post’s summer reading program. Beginning at 10 a.m., kids can speak with zoo staff and see the animals. It’s not too late to join the summer reading program. Call 531-2665 for more information.
Bike-a-thon
A Family fun and fitness 5K bike-a-thon will take place at Wheelock-Bayou Fitness Center June 20 at 8 a.m. The event begins in the center’s south parking lot. There is no age limit, but no training wheels are allowed. Riders must bring their own bikes, reflective belts and helmets. Call 531-6795 for more information.
PWOC Bible study
God … who is He? Find out at the Protestant Women of the Chapel’s Bible study. The study begins Tuesdays and continues each Tuesday through July 28 from 9-10:45 a.m. at the Main Post Chapel. Free child care is provided. For more information call 537-1770.
Scavenger hunt
The Fort Polk safety office will host a safety scavenger hunt in conjunction with the July 4 holiday. Clues will be printed in the Guardian. The three main topics are Soldiers’ safety, civilian employees’ safety and spouse, retiree safety. There will be several prizes. The person with the most correct answers wins the top prize. Watch the next issues of the Guardian for more information.
AFTB training
Learn how to maneuver through the daily Army challenge with Army Family Team Building Level I training Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Army Community Services’ Family Readiness Center, bldg 924, Mississippi Avenue. Discover how to decipher Army acronyms, use community resources, attain better financial readiness and understand the goal and impact of the Army. Free child care is provided but children must be registered with Child, Youth and School Services. Call 531-6269/0772 for more information.
PX giveaway
Army and Air Force Exchange Service locations, in conjunction with Hershey’s Chocolate, are giving away more than $40,000 worth of children’s playhouses hrough June 25. One “Step 2” playhouse will be given away at the Fort Polk Main PX.
Authorized exchange shoppers can register at the Fort Polk Main PX for a chance to win the playhouse until June 25.
Arts and crafts
The Fort Polk Arts and Crafts Center offers two children’s classes this month.
• A parent and child class for children ages 5 and up will be held Saturday from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. The project is flower pot houses. Class fee is $12 plus supplies. Students must bring a terra cotta flower pot with matching watering tray; the tray needs to be long enough to cover the pot.
• A ceramic painting class will be held Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. Class fee is $15 which includes all supplies.
You must preregister for both classes by today. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. Call 531-1980/4348 for more information.
Financial classes
The Army Community Service’s Financial Readiness Program offers the following classes in June:
• Checking account management, Tuesday, 9-11 a.m. — Learn to manage your checking account with emphasis on record keeping, personal organization of finances and budgeting.
• Army Emergency Relief commander’s referral program, Wednesday, 9-11 a.m. — For all unit commanders and first sergeants. AER allows commanders to authorize AER loans, up to $1,000, to their Soldiers who have urgent, unforeseen emergencies. Commanders must receive this training to participate in the program.
• Mandatory first termers financial readiness training, Fridays, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. — Mandated by the Department of the Army for first term Soldiers (E1-E4). Learn to develop a personal budget/spending plan; recognize signs of financial trouble and where to get assistance; the importance of credit; how to establish a savings account, emergency savings and long-term savings; how to make good consumer decisions; how to plan for large and small purchases; and how to plan insurance needs on life, auto, personal property and home.
For more information call 531-1957.
FAP classes
The Army Community Service Family Advocacy Program hosts the following classes and activities for the community:
• Play morning: A two-hour program where parents and children play together in a group setting. Activities include story time, crafts, music and more. Play mornings are held Tuesdays from 9-11 a.m. at the ACS center, bldg 920. Call 531-1938 for more information.
• Parenting made easy: A group to help parents (couples, single parents and spouses of deployed Soldiers) network, delight in time outside the home and enjoy the company of other spouses while working on a monthly project. There will be different themes, topics and guest speakers. This month’s project is creating blessing books. Free child care is available but children must be registered with Child, Youth and School Services. Classes are held two Tuesdays per month. The next session is Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at the ACS Center. Call 531-1938 to register.
• Anger management: A lunch hour workshop that defines anger, its causes and effects and helps develop an anger management plan. The next session is June 23 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the ACS Center. For more information call 531-1938.
• Game night: A night set aside to give spouses of deployed Soldiers and couples the opportunity to network while enjoying their favorite game. Free child care is available, but children must be registered with CYSS. The next game night is June 19 from 6-9 p.m. at the ACS Center. Call 531-1938 to register.
• Respite care funding: Do you have a child with special needs? Funding is available to pay for respite care of Family members with special needs who are enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program. Call 531-2840/6867 for more information.
• Military and Family life consultants: Short-term, solution-focused consultation with no records kept. All active-duty Soldiers, National Guard, Reserves, Department of the Army and Department of Defense civilians, Retirees, contractors and military Family members are eligible for services. Services include confidential intervention for grief, loss, anger, depression, marital and family issues and everyday stressors. Consultants are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the ACS Center. To schedule an appointment call 531-1938 or visit ACS.
