1. BGCA Keystone Conference Reflection
Ms. Keetje Straub, Youth Director for the Rassieur Youth Center (NAS Patuxent River)
entered John C., age 16, to represent Naval District Washington and attend the Boys and Girls
Club of America (BGCA) Military Teen Ambassador Training and Keystone Conference. The
week-long event was held in Ft. Worth, Texas during the month of March. John spent a week
proudly and honorably representing NAS Pax River. The following is an article written by John
describing his experience.
“The BGCA Keystone Conference was an experience like no other. Going into this trip, I
was filled with uncertainty. I was worried if I would make friends or if I would have a good time.
But, minutes after I arrived in Dallas/Fort Worth, my fears melted. I met Taylor, then Geoff,
Bailey, and Kaitlyn. It was very awkward at first, then we started talking like best friends soon
after! It only got better when I met Deontae, Ambreanna, Raymond Aaron, and finally Decoyus.
Being able to make friends with teens who had families like mine and were able to understand
the hardships and quirks of being a military teen made me feel good. It was reassuring to find
friends who could connect with me so quickly and in so many ways. I truly thank God for being
able to meet them.
The Teen Ambassador Training prior to the Keystone Conference really taught me a lot
about what to do as a military teen ambassador. The speakers really drilled the values of
advocating for other military teens and being “the voice” for our individual bases. One of the
most important values that all the teens learned that week was the value of communication.
However, communication will not matter as much if we don't engage ourselves to complete the
task at hand. I took away that I really need to believe and actively help shape my teen program
on and off-base by engaging others and passing my drive to others. It all starts with a single
step. As Layman Hicks later said at the conference, ‘You have to Get up, Go Out, and Go Get it!’
The actual Keystone Conference was amazing! We would start each conference day with
a concert or inspirational speaker. We saw many stunning performers, such as David Garibaldi,
who invented "Music Inspired by Art.” David listened to music the musical artist and painted
Bruno Mars in five minutes! People like Layman Hicks, who like all the other speakers, drove
their topic home with their personal experience, which made the story hold so much power that
I am sure that it impacted so many other people besides me. Dwight Perry was a speaker who
asked us, “What is trust?” I learned trust comes easy when people are similar to you, but trust is
an illusion. Every human being is "similar" to each other!
At the end of each conference day, we would have ANOTHER concert/speaker. We even
saw Keri Hilson perform! Each night they turned the conference hall into a game room and
dance floor. When I say game room, I mean full-sized arcade games, video games, mechanical
bulls, laser tag, and blow up play structures. Whether it was the game room or dance floor, all
the teens enjoyed it fully! The grand finale was when all 2000 teens and adult advisors went to
Six Flags Over Texas. I can't even describe how much fun we all had. Keystone made an impact
on my life and I had fun realizing it too.
Honestly, it’s hard to describe this experience. I met so many people, learned a lot, and
I’m ready to make an impact on my base.
~John C.