City Youth Academy

Overview

The City of Great Bend is committed to the youth of our community. We want to be known as the city who listens to our youth.

Goals

A major goal of all youth related projects involves creating a positive atmosphere where students enjoy their growing up years so much, that when they are ready to settle down and raise a family that they will give serious consideration about returning to our community.

Purpose

Great Bend City Youth Academy is an educational opportunity sponsored by the City of Great Bend to allow seventh and eighth graders a unique opportunity to interact with City officials and gain a behind-the-scenes glance at different City departments.

Function

Academy participants view many aspects of the City not usually available to the general public. The fast-paced program schedule allows a hands-on tour of individual departments within the City and allows participants to ask questions and have lunch with the Mayor and City Council members. City personnel make classroom presentations during their sixth and seventh grade years inviting students to submit applications for participation.

Curriculum

Fire Department

Participants take part in a mock medical emergency. Students also shoot fire hoses on a special obstacle course and can “rescue” a person in a smoke-filled room while wearing the Thermal Imaging Camera.

Public Works Department

Participants learn what it takes to maintain City streets and see how street signs are made. Students operate a high loader and travel over 30' in the air in the City's bucket trucks. They also receive an up-close look at other City equipment used to keep our streets safe.

Parks Department

Participants get an up-close and behind-the-scene view of the operations at the Zoo and Wetlands Waterpark that are not open to the general public. Photo opportunities are available with one of the education animals 

Water Pollution Control Plant

Participants learn about the scientific and biological process of maintaining the Waste Water Treatment Plant and learn about an important, unseen part of the City.

Police Department

Students will view various police vehicles, view S.W.A.T. Team demonstration, observe firsthand a K-9 demonstration, and learn how officers enforce traffic laws with radar. They will also participate in a mock felony vehicle traffic stop.

Ideas Exchange

The Ideas Exchange allows for an important dialog between our community's youth and City Administrator, Howard Partington. The dialog allows our youth the unique opportunity to voice their concerns, ideas, and dreams for the City.

Many ideas and dreams have become reality as the city leaders work side-by-side with the youth to accomplish their projects. DA-CAGE Skate Board Park, the synthetic ice-skating rink, the BMX Bike Park, the Disc Golf Course, and the Go-Carts have evolved as a result of the Great Bend City Youth Academy ideas exchange.