Sailors from Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island, Wash., organized and participated in a Drug Education
for Youth (DEFY) camp at Camp and Fort Casey, June 30 to July 4.
DEFY not only educates children about drugs, but promotes team-building, leadership skills, healthy living,
and provides a positive influence through mentoring.
Nearly 20 service members volunteered to assist in the camp, teaching 27 children, ages nine-to-12 years
old, how to make the right decisions throughout their lives and thought processes to ensure they come to
their best conclusion for any situation.
“I love to give back,” said Personnel Specialist 1st Class (AW) Joycelin Vester, of NAS Whidbey Island, the camp
director for the event. “I’ve had so many good mentors in my life that I want to make a difference to someone
else’s. A lot of times, if we can start mentoring when they’re younger, whatever we instill in them flows through
them while they’re adults. If we can pour into them now, then you’ve just helped to contribute a better person to
society.”
The theme for this year’s course was “Independence: DEFY Team, DEFY Pride.” In the spirit of independence,
participants were given call names which reflected patriotism and Americana ideals. The children were also split
up into three teams; designated red, white, and blue.
“We taught the children how to come together as a team regardless of their age, race, as well showed them how
to work together,” said Vester. “We don’t put siblings in the same group or with their friends. We put them with
new people so they get a chance to come together to form a team.”
The lessons given were interactive sessions allowing participants to share experiences they may have had in the
subject matter. Hearing the stories from personal experience was beneficial to the children’s learning process
and provided better understanding of what similar situations people their age encounter.
“We’ve done lessons about peer pressure and I’ve felt peer pressure before, so I know what it feels like,” Kiesha Loftin,
a youth participant from Oak Harbor Middle School. “Its fun here and I’d like to see more people come next year.”
The event was a learning experience for both the mentors and the children.
“I really enjoy working with children and it is just awesome with some of the things they’re capable of at such a young
age,” said Aircrew Survival Equipmentman Airman Kyle Neel, of NAS Whidbey Island Search and Rescue. “Drug and
alcohol awareness needs to start at a young age. When I first read about this, I thought this was a great idea because
I’ve never heard of a camp just for drug and alcohol awareness for ages nine to 12. I’m just glad I got the opportunity
to help out.”