Guantanamo Bay Kicks Off Annual DEFY Summer Camp

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Justin Ailes, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- Nineteen children at Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba attended the opening day of the installation's Drug Education for Youth (DEFY) summer camp, Aug. 15.

The DEFY program is offered to children ages 9-12, and is designed to deter "at-risk" behaviors by providing students the tools they need to resist substance abuse and develop positive social skills.

"The first day of DEFY really sets the tone of the camp for the kids," said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jodie Hurlbut, NS Guantanamo Bay DEFY operations coordinator. "The children will benefit from this program by taking away positive life lessons which reinforce the message of reaching their full potential by avoiding drug and alcohol abuse."

Established in 1993, the DEFY program is in its 19th year of providing character development, drug education, and mentorship to military children. NS Guantanamo Bay's eight-day DEFY day camp incorporates learning activities while involving representatives from numerous tenant commands and departments on base.

Day one of the summer camp provided children with an interactive field-trip to NS Guantanamo Bay's Military Working Dog facility and training area where students witnessed a firsthand demonstration of Security department K9s in action.

"The students learned how military working dogs and their handlers react in the presence of drugs or other detrimental contraband," said Hurlbut. "Today's trip was an educational experience that provided information on the potential dangers in the world today."

DEFY is a nationwide, professionally developed curriculum that incorporates key characteristics of successful substance abuse prevention programs as identified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

"We have numerous activities planned over the coming days and we are focused on providing a memorable and positive influence on GTMO's youth," said Hurlbut.