Law Day obstacle course teaches kids legal system

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristine M. Gruwell
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Children from the youth center participated in a team-based obstacle course while learning about Law Day May 1, 2018, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas.

The American Bar Association recognizes Law Day on May 1 annually, celebrating the role of law in society to cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal profession by providing the theme legal offices will teach at their base.

This year, legal offices nationwide competed using the theme “Separation of Power: Framework for Freedom.”

The 19th Airlift Wing Judge Advocate Office decided on an interactive obstacle course using riddles and teamwork to teach children how the three branches of government work together to have a functional democracy.

“The three branches of government have their own abilities, but they all have to play off of one another to develop a functional democracy,” said Capt. Clinton Hicks, 19th AW Judge Advocate Office chief of general law. “The kids could all do things independently, but they realized they had to rely on one another to accomplish a bigger goal just like the three branches of government.”

Teams of three went to different stations accomplishing tasks such as crouching through ropes, popping balloons and knocking down stuffed animals with a dart gun. The overall goal at each station was to retrieve a key. The children won a prize after collecting six keys.

“Teaching our children about the legal system and how laws are created is important to ensure they’ll have a better understanding for the future,” said Staff Sgt. Joyce Bray, 19th AW Judge Advocate Office NCO in charge of military justice.