Story and photo by R.J. Oriez
GUIDON staff

Moving is a fact of life for the military family. That can be rough on the child wanting to learn how to play a musical instrument, to dance, do gymnastics or martial arts.

“Kids in the civilian world can take dance programs, music, whatever for years,” Starla Roberts said. “But because they’re military kids, and move around, they don’t necessarily get that on base.”

Roberts is the instructional program specialist for the SKIES Unlimited program with Child, Youth and School Services on post. SKIES — School of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration, and Skills — is an Army-wide program with the goal of continuity for the kids.

“We wanted to offer the children opportunities they might not be able to get because they’re moving around so much,” Roberts said. “We have base-line programs that we offer. So, if a child is taking dance at the installation, when they move, the next installation will have a dance program as well.

Roberts says that the SKIES Unlimited program at Fort Leonard Wood currently offers dance, piano, guitar, martial arts and a “kids fit” program along with seasonal offerings of tennis, swimming and a Music and Movements Class. They are working on starting a gymnastics program.

Cathy Patrick gives music lessons for SKIES Unlimited and teaches the Music and Movements Class.

“I love music, I love kids, I love the families. I like the whole nine yards,” Patrick said.

Patrick’s Music and Movements Class is an eight-week course offered for 3 through 5-year-olds and their parents, on Tuesdays, at the Audie Murphy Community Center.

“The moms or dads stay with the kids and participate with them,” Patrick said. “We don’t use CD’s, we sing and play instruments. It’s not a bunch of hyper rock and roll stuff to see how much we can wear them out and take them home to crash.”

“We are expanding on their ability to make music, to sing and play,” she said. “We do interactive music play like the old folk songs ‘Skip to my Lou’ and ‘A Tisket, a Tasket.’ It’s delightful to watch.”

Patrick is half way through the current cycle of the Music and Movement Program and plans on conducting it again in the fall. When this cycle is over, she plans on conducting a recorder workshop geared towards home-schooled children.

As with her Music and Movement classes, Patrick encourages parental involvement with her piano and guitar class.

“The parents are required to be in the room,” Patrick said. “If the parent wants to pull a chair up alongside their child during their guitar or piano lessons, they are encouraged to do so. They can learn right along with them.”

Patrick teaches guitar and piano, both as part of group instruction and individually, year round. She sees benefits in either group or private music lessons.

“Groups aren’t quite as focused on the individual,” she said. “But you have the added benefit of hearing other kids at other levels, building off that and celebrating your successes together.”

Marran Anderson’s sons, Darcy, 10, and Clancy, 8, have been studying guitar with Patrick since August.

“I think it’s a fantastic program for the kids. I think in a remote area like Fort Leonard Wood, it’s difficult to find teachers off post,” Anderson said. She reports that her sons were on a waiting list for eight months before they were able to begin with Patrick.

“It’s because she’s so popular and fantastic at what she does,” Anderson said.

Those interested in taking part in a SKIES Unlimited program should get in touch with Roberts by calling the CYS office at 563.0200 or 563.3006.