Child, Youth & School Services

Contact Information
To call commercial within Belgium, dial 02-717-XXXX. Outside Belgium, dial 032-2-717-XXXX.
CYSS Main	368-9651
Coordinator	368-9647
Liaison Officer	368-9670
Outreach Director	368-9649
Facility Director	368-9830
Sports Program	368-9680
Parent Central Services	368-9651

Welcome to the USAG Brussels Child, Youth and School Services- WHERE YOU BELONG!

Child, Youth & School Services recognizes the challenges of our Soldiers and their Families. By offering quality programs for children and youth, CYS Services supports the Army Family Covenant by reducing the conflict between mission readiness and parental responsibility and enriching the quality of life of families who serve.

Our programs are open to all Brussels area children and youth ages 6 weeks through 12th grade, whose parents/guardians are US ID card holders supporting the USAG Brussels, NATO, US Embassy, or the US Mission to the EU or NATO.  We also open our programs to children and youth of the Canadian Embassy, NATO, and Partnership for Peace members.

Parent Central Services

This is your first stop to learn about CYS Services and register your child to be eligible for one of our great programs!  Parent Central Services is open Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.   Our office is located at USAG Brussels, building 3 (ground floor).  We are closed on US holidays and reduced staff on Belgian holidays.  Registration for full-day child care, hourly child care, and SAS and Middle School/Teen after school programs is ongoing.  You can also enroll your child for one of our Youth Sports or instructional programs here too. For more information about available programs, contact the Central Registration clerk at 02-717-9651.

Effective immediately: Thanks to the Army Family Covenant, all annual registrations with CYSS are free. This represents a savings of $40 per family, per year. In order to take advantage of our programs, bring a copy of your child’s vaccination record, a current physical, and two emergency contacts numbers.  We will help you do the rest!

Full-day and Hourly Child Care

CYS Services provides hourly care for children six weeks to five years old from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.  After you register your child you can reserve a space in advance by calling 02 717-9651 (up to 30 days in advance). Full day child care is also available through a contracted partnership with local Belgian child care center across the street from our garrison.  Call 02 717-9651 for more information.

After School Programs

The CYS Services offers center based after school programs for School Age, Middle School, and Teen aged children.  In addition to being open after school, the programs are all open full day when the DoDDs schools are closed.  The CYS Services after school programs are affiliated with Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and 4-H.

School Age Services (SAS) is located in our Child and Youth Center on USAG Brussels, Building 3 (ground floor).  We are open for children in K-5th grade on school days out 0730-1800 and after school until 1800.  For children enrolled in our after school program, there is no additional fee for school days out, including fall, winter, and spring break.  SAS also provides care on an hourly, intermittent basis.  EVERY child enrolled in the CYS Services gets 5 free hours of SAS a month (with reservation).  If you have more than one child in the program after school program, you are entitled to a 10% discount for the additional children. 

Brussels SAS uses a unique combination of full time staff and rotational college interns to provide stability and continuity, while keeping the program fresh and interesting.  SAS partners with Youth Sports & Fitness, the Arts and Crafts Center, the Library, and the Fitness Center to bring interesting programs to your children.  Unlike most SAS programs, parents do not have to be dual working to use the program.  Our program is even accredited by the National After School Association.  Most importantly– it's fun!

Middle School Teen Center

The Middle School Teen Center (MS/T) is located in our Child and Youth Center on USAG Brussels, Building 3 (ground floor). We are open to youth in 6th-12th grade on school days out 0730-1800 and after school until 1800. Every youth enrolled in the CYS Services is eligible to use the program. The MS/T program is free! There are also no fees for school days out, including fall, winter, and spring break. 

Brussels MST uses a unique combination of full time staff and rotational college interns to provide stability and continuity, while keeping the program fresh and interesting.  MST partners with Youth Sports, the Arts and Crafts Center, and the Library to bring interesting programs to your children. In addition to the regularly scheduled after school program, MST offers occasional evening, weekend, and special event openings.   Contact our CYS Facility Director at 02.717.9830.

Special Openings

Occasionally CYS Services offers a special openings and events such as Parent’s Night Out for infants through school age children, Club VIP for teens, holiday parties, family game nights, and more.  Cost for these events varies, and sometimes are even free. These events are advertised through community bulletins and AFN, so stay tuned for more information about our next event.  Children must be enrolled in CYS Services to participate in most of these special events.

Youth Sponsorship and Newcomers Program

Welcome to Brussels!  USAG Brussels CYS Services Youth Sponsorship program is designed to facilitate the integration of children of members of the armed forces and civil service into and out of the Brussels Community.  All youth between the ages of six and 19 years may apply for a youth sponsor prior to their arrival.  Our goal is to help ease the transition process for children in grades K-12 by providing them information on schools and great activities for youth in the area.   

We are always looking for 4-5 dedicated volunteer youth to help out.  Volunteers should be in grades 3-12.  Your job?  Writing letters to new students moving here to Brussels and who are looking for a sponsor/friend before they arrive, meeting them once they arrive, and going on a free field trip in the local area once in a while.  During the summer, there is also an opportunity to participate in one or two fun events to meet the newcomers.  Training will be offered throughout the year to youth volunteers who are interested.  Community and volunteer hours will be awarded for help with this project.

For more information contact the CYSS School Liaison Officer, at 02 717-9670 or come by for an application.

Youth Sports and Fitness

CYS Services Youth Sports and Fitness offers a variety of programs for youth in our community.  Currently we offer soccer and flag football in the fall; basketball and wrestling in the winter; and t-ball, baseball, and softball in the spring. During the summer months, we run various sports clinics for golf, basketball, and soccer. We also incorporate health and fitness activities into our daily programming. The fee for Youth Sports Activities usually ranges from $36-$50. Youth ages 6-15 are eligible for participation in our programs, provided they are currently enrolled in CYSS. Opportunities for families to participate in our sports programs that do not have regular USAG access may be available through a sponsorship program.  Contact our Youth Sports & Fitness Director at 02 717-9680.

Start Smart Sports

Start Smart Sports are developmental sports programs for children ages 3-5 and their parents. The cost is usually around $40 per child but varies by sport. The programs are designed to prepare young children for various sports, by teaching early skills, cooperation, and teamwork.  Parents and children participate together in sessions facilitated by our staff. These sessions are designed to develop children’s skills and self-esteem within a safe, fun, and non-competitive context. Start Smart Sports usually run parallel to the related Youth Sports program of the season. Contact the Youth Sports Director at 02 717-9680 for more information.  

Instructional Programs

CYS Services offers instructional programs for children and youth.  In the past we have offered piano and guitar classes, martial arts, and even French.  We are currently seeking qualified instructors to teach classes.  Can you teach a prep course for the SAT, ACT, or ASVAB?  Design a Web page?  Teach Hip Hop, Ballet, or Irish Folk Dancing?  Do you teach Piano or Guitar?  If you are interested in teaching any type of specialty class, please contact our program director at  02-717-9649.

Outreach Services

Are you new to Brussels and have school-aged children?  Are you searching for Belgian childcare, pre-school or K-12 school options for your children? The USAG Brussels Child & Youth Services can help you. The CYSS Outreach Services and/or School Liaison Office can offer you full support in finding the contact information and location of a school near your home, with language and in otherwise making the connection to help you find the right placement for your child. For more information contact our Outreach Services Director, 02-717-9649.

Would you like a class on parenting a child with ADHD, sibling rivalry, or other life skills?  Would you like a CPR or First Aid class? Maybe you would like to volunteer your time at the Center and teach the children a talent, read a book, or run a cooking club. Do you Home School and want to use the CYS Facility or computer lab for a Home School Co-op? Do you want to participate in a survey? CYS Outreach services offers Parent Education and Liaison services to parents in our community. To find out what’s available, when the next Parent Advisory Council meeting will be, or to just get some more information, contact our Outreach Services Director at 02-717-9649.

School Liaison Services

Our School Liaison Officer is here to help! School Liaison Services provides parents with the tools to assist with the smooth transition of Brussels youth to a number of school environments, both for incoming families and those leaving the Brussels area. We can provide information regarding schools in the area, such as Brussels American School, local Belgian schools and home schooling and we offer the Youth Sponsorship Program that introduces new youth in our community to our programming. In addition, we will invite your youth to join us for a Youth Sponsorship day during the summer program to meet friends and get to know other kids with whom they will attend school. For more information, call 02-717-9670.

Bus Transportation

Transportation to the USAG Brussels CYSS is easy.  Every day after school, students attending CYS Services may ride BUS 4 which stops at the USAG Brussels Gate 5.  Parents must pre-arrange for a bus pass with the BAS bus office 02/717-9548.  Our staff will meet children in grades K-5 at the bus, and make sure they get to the proper activity. 

IMPORTANT:  If your child regularly rides the bus, but will not be on the bus due to an after school commitment, you must let us know.  Call 02/717-9651 to inform us of any bus scheduling changes.

Summer Camp

Both SAS and MST centers offer an exciting camp program during the summer months. Camps last 10 to 11 weeks and provide a wonderful way for youth to visit many exciting places in Belgium and Europe.  Summer camps run every day during the DoDDs school summer break with the exception of the July 4th holiday.

Summer Camp brochures come out during the spring quarter with a full plan of summer activities, themed weeks, and field trips.  Spots fill up fast, and are on a first-come, first-served basis to all registered CYS Service youth.  Parents must sign up and pay before the deadline each week.

CYS Services and the Army Family Covenant

We recognize the commitment and increasing sacrifices that our families are making every day. We recognize the strength of our Soldiers comes from the strength of their Families. We are committed to providing Soldiers and Families a Quality of Life commensurate with their service. We are committed to providing our Families a strong, supportive environment where they can thrive. We are committed to building a partnership with Army families that enhances their strength and resilience. The CYS Services at the USAG Brussels is committed to improving Family readiness by:

Standardizing and funding existing Family programs and services- USAG Brussels CYS Services now waives the annual registration fee to participate in our programs and offers free or reduced cost programs to qualifying families.

 

Ensuring excellence in schools, youth services, and child care- USAG Brussels CYS Services provides high quality youth programs, child care, school liaison services, and parent outreach and liaison services. Thus, parents can continue to support the mission with confidence knowing their children are receiving excellent care in a positive, healthy, and engaging environment.

 

Expanding education and employment opportunities for Family members- USAG Brussels CYS Services offers employment opportunities for spouses, and provides continuing training to employees, parents, coaches, and volunteers.