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Introduction to Operation: Military Kids

State Partners

Upcoming Events

Missouri Speak Out for Military Kids

Hero Packs

Missouri O:MK in Action

State and county Extension staff, community agencies, schools, and 4-H Club youth are reaching out to military youth…before, during and after their parents are deployed. This outreach effort is called Operation: Military Kids. Annual Report (PDF)

Introduction to Operation: Military Kids (O:MK)

Whiteman Air Force Base Military 4-H Clubs receive recognition for their support of military families

When National Guard, Army Reserve and other military parents living in civilian communities are mobilized, their children suddenly have different needs. Now they are “military kids” but they still “look the same” to teachers, friends and the rest of the community. Their lives are turned upside down!

Many of their usual support systems may no longer be adequate. Extensive media coverage of on-going military operations creates daily anxiety. These “new” military kids may have new needs:

Connection with kids in similar situations
Financial support
Greater understanding from teacher
Understanding adult to talk with
Help in assuming additional family responsibilities
Positive activities as a counter-balance to the anxiety of family deployment

Operation: Military Kids

Creates community support networks for military youth “in our own backyard” when Soldier parents are deployed
Delivers recreational, social and educational programs for military youth living in civilians communities
Supports military kids coping with the stress of knowing their deployed parents may be in harm’s way.
Collaborates with schools to ensure that staff is attuned to the unique needs of military students.
Educates the public on the impact of the deployment cycle on Soldiers, families, kids and the community as a whole
Provides resources for military families experiencing the ongoing deployment cycle.

O:MK State Partners

Missouri 4-H
Missouri National Guard
Army/Air Force Reserve
Military Reserve
Whiteman Air Force Base
Ft. Leonard Wood
American Legion
Missouri Veterans Commission
Missouri Child Education Coalition
University of Missouri Extension
Youth and Volunteers
Faith Community
Boy Scouts
Girl Scouts
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Boys and Girls Clubs
Missouri School Board Association

State Board Member Monthly Publicity Report Form (Word) or (PDF)
Community Partners Guide (PDF)

Upcoming O:MK Events

Ø 3, 2, 1….Action

July 25-27, 2008
Plato High School
Plato, Missouri

Registration deadline July 11

For teens 13-16 years old
Registration Form (PDF)

3,2,1…Action is a team of youth and adults from Fort Leonard Wood and surroundings counties who are coming together to learn new skills and create public service announcements about Army youth programs, 4-H and life as a military kid. Participants will come from the Active Duty Army, National Guard, Reserves and community and must be interested in learning about information technology to create digital videos.

Participants will:

· Learn marketable technology skills

· Gain leadership skills

· Use skills/knowledge you already have

· Experience cutting-edge technology (digital video editing, Pinnacle, etc.)

· Work with technology experts from around the world

· Gain access to the latest technology tools

· Develop a public service announcement using technology

Team members will participate in the process of producing digital video productions to include:

· Developing concepts to communicate key messages

· Storyboarding

· Using digital video cameras

· Learning filming techniques

· Learning video editing software

Members of the 3, 2, 1...Action Team will help develop public service announcements that explain how Army youth programs and 4-H work together to make life for kids in the military and the community better.

For additional information, contact Jenny Flatt at flattj@missouri.edu or 417-256-2391 or Joan Zeller at zellerc@missouri.edu

Ø Military Appreciation Day at the Royals

August 2, 2008

Pre-Game festivities begin at 1:30 and game time is 2:25.

Discounted tickets are available to Military Members and their families. Pre-Game will include special honors to Military Families. Operation: Military Kids will have a booth where youth will have a chance to make a card for Military Families or for a deployed Military Member. Hero Packs will be presented to youth on the field and special Public Service Announcements will be played. Last year we had two flyovers and the Navy Band played. You do not want to miss this spectacular event before the game!

Ø Military Appreciation Day at the Missouri State Fair

August 12, 2008
Sedalia, Missouri

For additional information, contact Mary Jo Williams at williamsmj@missouri.edu

Ø Military National Kids Day
September 13
Boys & Girls Club
Springfield, Missouri

Boys & Girls Clubs of America sponsors National Kids Day. 4-H is collaborating with BGCA and Military to provide a fantastic fun day for kids who live near Springfield National Guard Armory and those youth at Whiteman Air Force Base! There will be fun games and educational activities for youth of all ages.

If you are interested in attending or volunteering your time to make this a special day, please contact Joan Zeller, zellerc@missouri.edu.

Ø Military National Kids Day
September 27
Whiteman Air Force Base
9:00 – 11:30 a.m.

If you are interested in attending or volunteering your time to make this a special day, please contact Joan Zeller, zellerc@missouri.edu.

Missouri Speak Out for Military Kids/Communications Tech Team (SOMK)
SOMK/Communications Tech Team is an educational program designed to raise awareness of issues facing military families. Both military and non-military youth can be involved.

Through youth-led simulations, interviews, and research, participants find out first hand what military families go through. Based on their experiences, SOMK participants form SOMK speakers' bureaus and develop lectures, public service announcements, videos and other materials to share their experiences with others in the community.

In addition to building public awareness about issues facing military families during mobilization and deployment, SOMK provides the youth participants the opportunity to gain valuable leadership, research, organization, technology and public speaking skills.

Any youth military or non-military, age 13-18, may apply to be a candidate for SOMK/CTT. Youth must be willing to attend the majority of scheduled meetings (2-4 per year), speak or be technician at community events, participate in 1-2 Family Readiness Group Events and help with planning retreats.

SOMK Application (Word) or (PDF)
Code of Conduct (Word) or (PDF)

Hero Packs - Serving Special Heroes
Clubs and organizations (particularly youth-based groups) can support their community by creating Hero Packs (backpacks or bags filled with various items). The "hero" is the child left at home taking on extra responsibilities while their parent is deployed to support the Global War on Terrorism.
Hero Pack brochure (PDF)

Not only do young people fill backpacks with goodies, they also write a letter for the "hero" receiving the pack.
Letter Writing Project Instructions (PDF)
Letter Writing Samples (PDF)

After purchasing a bag or a backpack, your group may want to also purchase some items to fill the pack. Use the Hero Pack Vendor List (PDF) for suggestions on where to buy more items. These items could include:

Stationary
School Supplies
Small photo albums
Small stuffed animals

The Hero Packs will be distributed to National Guard, Reserves, and all branches of Active Duty service members in Missouri. Let us know if your group would like to participate in this community service project!

Missouri O:MK in Action

· Stress, Strain on Military Families
Jan. 12: The stress of having loved ones serving on the frontlines in the military can be especially difficult for children. NBC's Dawn Fratangelo reports:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/22626165#22626165

· Videography Event – PSAs about military families
On February 15-17, a group of military and civilian youth gathered at Fort Leonard Wood's Lake of the Ozarks Recreation Area (LORA) to learn the art of videography. View Videos and read more…

· 4-H Military Partnerships
Bringing 4-H to America’s military children
View Videos

· Missouri State Fair 4-H Demonstrations

Fort Leonard Wood 4-H members conducted three demonstrations, via Interactive television, to the Missouri State Fair on 17 Aug 06. Garrison Commander, John J. Megnia welcomed the state fair audience members and introduced each club. School Age Services had two 4-H Clubs conduct demonstrations. The Spanish Club demonstrated, in English and then in Spanish, the 4-H Pledge and a greeting song. The Dance Club demonstrated how to dance the Cumbia. Finally, a sixth grader from the Youth Services Program demonstrated how to operate a digital camera. The closing remarks were made by Waita Karcher, 4-H Youth Education Assistant of Pulaski County.

In September the 4-H’ers and their parents were guest of honor at a special presentation where they individually received their ribbons and certificates presented by Garrison Commander Megnia.

· Hero Packs
Hero Packs presented to military children (PDF)

· Slide Shows
Missouri's O:MK Reaching Out to Missouri's Suddenly Military Families
Slide Show (uses flash Photojam)

· Missouri Speak Out of Military Kids visit State Capitol
Slideshow (uses flash Photojam)

· Missouri OMK Newsletter
April 2007 (PDF)

· Children of Missouri National Guard currently deployed or recently returned
Map 2006 (PDF)
Map 2005 (PDF)

· Article
Military Moms Hold Down the Fort (PDF)

· SOMK as part of the 4-H experience
Godfrey Elected State 4-H Council President (PDF)
Buckstead Selected West Central Region Representative (PDF)
Church selected as delegate to National 4-H Congress( PDF)

Contact
For information about becoming a partner or a Youth Communications Tech Team member with Missouri O:MK, contact Joan Zeller, zellerc@missouri.edu or 660-232-1485.

Operation: Military Kids is provided by Army Child & Youth Services in partnership with National 4-H Headquarters, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, US Department of Agriculture. The project is working to ease the stress of deployed or returning National Guard and Reserve children.

Last Revised 28-May-08

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