From May through August, about one-third of the Fort Wainwright population transfers out, said post spokeswoman Linda Douglass. All of the standard challenges of being a teenager are magnified when the setting and characters change every couple of years. About a year ago, a handful of kids formed a teen council at Fort Wainwright and one of its goals is to help new arrivals acclimate to Fairbanks. Every Wednesday the 15 members meet in the teen lounge. They've put together a brochure to send to kids who will be moving to Fairbanks.
Sponsors act as a first contact person and guide for the newcomers.
The council is also working on a Web site that will give incoming teens an idea of what to expect here. Jordan remembers the first time she saw it. But the teen council and the youth center's broader resources help fill the void. After the younger children get picked up at 5 p.m. the teenagers are allowed to use the whole center. When the council meeting ends, Jordan heads to the gym with Tia Jenkins, and Quinn Hixon, both 16, to shoot baskets.