Key Takeaways
- Fort Belvoir’s Pre-K Health, Fitness and Wellness program received recognition from the National Alliance of Youth Sports (NAYS) for its comprehensive approach to early childhood physical development
- The Start SMART program serves children ages 3-5 across three Child Development Centers on base, introducing skills for baseball, football, basketball, tennis, and soccer
- Teachers report measurable improvements in children’s attention spans, behavior, and peer interactions following program participation
- NAYS has trained over 4 million volunteer coaches worldwide since its founding in 1981
- Parents observe children practicing exercises, stretches, and discussing teamwork concepts at home after sessions
Building Athletic Foundations at Military Installations
Fort Belvoir’s Youth Sports and Fitness program operates on a developmental pipeline model, beginning with preschool-aged children and progressing through youth sports participation. Jerry Arrington, the installation’s Youth Sports and Fitness Director, emphasizes the strategic importance of early engagement.
“To manage a sports program, you have to start developing the young kids to feed into the program as they get older,” Arrington explains. The Start SMART curriculum targets children ages 3-5, delivering fundamentals across five sports in environments designed to minimize stress and maximize skill acquisition.
The program’s structure across three Child Development Centers ensures consistent access for military families stationed at Fort Belvoir, addressing both physical development and the practical scheduling challenges facing military parents.
Integrated Approach to Physical and Mental Development
Each session follows a deliberate format combining multiple developmental objectives. Classes open with songs and warm-up routines, establishing the connection between mental preparation and physical activity. Relay races and cone drills introduce competitive elements while reinforcing concepts of teamwork and sportsmanship.
Sessions conclude with yoga components, where children learn body awareness and self-regulation techniques through age-appropriate poses. This combination addresses both high-energy skill development and calming practices within a single class period.
The program partners with Child and Youth Nutritionists to incorporate nutrition and hydration education through movement-based lessons, connecting physical activity with broader wellness concepts for young participants.
Documented Outcomes and Recognition
George Dickson, Director of Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR), points to observable results from the initiative. Teachers at participating Child Development Centers report improvements in attention spans, behavioral regulation, and peer interaction among children enrolled in the program.
Parents provide additional validation through reported home behaviors. Families note children independently practicing stretches, dances, and exercises while discussing teamwork principles and favorite yoga poses outside of structured class time.
The NAYS recognition represents Arrington’s second major award while directing Fort Belvoir’s youth sports programs. Arrington credits his staff for the program’s success and execution quality.
Program Impact on Military Families
Fort Belvoir operates year-round sports and fitness programming across all four seasons, maintaining consistent engagement opportunities for children throughout the year. Dickson characterizes the installation’s offerings as “the best in the US Army” for Child and Youth Services sports programs.
The recognition from NAYS, an organization focused on educating volunteer coaches about their roles and responsibilities since 1981, validates Fort Belvoir’s early childhood approach within a national context. NAYS has trained over 4 million member coaches globally through its training and membership programs.
For military families managing frequent relocations and deployments, access to high-quality youth sports programming at installations provides both developmental benefits for children and community connection points for families.
via: ARMY
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