DVIDS – News – NAVFAC Southeast's Olympic-themed “Bring Your Child to Work Day” sparks excitement

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Southeast hosted an engaging “Bring Your Kids to Work Day” event June 14, proudly opening its doors to a generation of future leaders, innovators and athletes.

Coordinated by Human Resources Specialist Megan Johns, this year's event embraced the exhilarating theme of the Olympics and aimed to ignite competitive spirit and camaraderie among the young participants.

“We are pleased to have been able to create such an exciting and memorable event for the children of our NAVFAC Southeast team,” said Johns. Bring Your Child to Work Day is not only an opportunity for our employees to share their workplace with their children, but also an opportunity to inspire the next generation of pioneers. By incorporating an Olympic theme, we aimed to instill values ​​of teamwork, determination and excellence in the young participants.”

More than 90 children, ranging from kindergarten through high school, were divided into age-appropriate teams and participated in seven unique educational sessions hosted by various divisions within the command.

These sessions covered topics such as environmental science, information technology, financial management, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) land surveying and fire prevention to provide a comprehensive learning experience. Through these engagements, the youth gained an understanding of NAVFAC Southeast's mission to support our nation's military.

“The event was really great,” said Treyton Anderson, a ninth-grader at Harris County High School. “I learned a bit about engineering, fire dynamics, environmental issues and computer programming. Engineering is my favorite subject. I also got to meet some new friends.”

Additionally, the children participated in a special visit to Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Patrol Squadron 30 (VP-30) where they enjoyed a tour of a P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft. They also had the opportunity to tour two current construction sites, including the Aviation Survival Training Center renovation project and the Southeast Fleet Readiness Center Industrial Training Center project.

Focusing on the Olympic theme, children displayed their athletic and teamwork prowess in an exhilarating relay race, encouraging unity and sportsmanship while stimulating the competitive spirit among all participants. Runners were awarded Olympic-style medals for their participation and efforts in the race.

The event came to a memorable close with a lively, closing-ceremony style lunch where participants came together to celebrate the day's success. Col. Miguel Dieguez, NAVFAC Southeast commander, delivered an inspiring speech, reflecting on the importance of the day and thanking all participants for participating.

“Thanks to the participation of all the children and parents, our Bring Your Child to Work Day event was a great success. Your participation not only enriched our workplace, but also reminded us of the importance of family and community at NAVFAC Southeast,” said Diéguez.

NAVFAC Southeast remains committed to developing its talent and fostering a supportive, inclusive environment where employees and their families can thrive together. Events such as Bring Your Kids to Work Day symbolize NAVFAC Southeast's dedication to building strong communities and shaping a brighter future for all.