New Hampshire Operation: Military Kids

 

Thank you to all who joined us to honor military youth,
by wearing purple on April 13th!

 

Click HERE to check out how NH “purpled up” to honor military youth!

 

 

     

 

OMK Tour of Discovery overnight camps provide military kids opportunities to get connected; strengthen their communication and teamwork skills; build peer relationships and support; expand their knowledge and skills; and experience exciting “hands-on” educational 4-H Youth Development activities. Camps are open to military youth, ages 10-18.

Engineering Bonanza - Click HERE to register!
July 18 - July 21
Camp Calumet, West Ossipee, NH www.calumet.org
Registration fee: $15/camper*

Explore scientific principles as you have some fun solving problems. Refine existing designs while you find ways to optimize the performance of water bottle rockets, catapults, and water balloon trebuchets! Tackle problems with modern solutions, while enjoying traditional camp favorites like swimming, canoeing, hiking, group games, evening campfires, and great food!

 

 

 

Up for the Challenge of Healthy Living

Please choose one session only
August 5 – August 8 - Click HERE to register!
August 8 – August 11 - Click HERE to register!
Camp Birch Hill, New Durham, NH
www.campbirchhill.com
Registration fee: $15/camper*

Campers accepting this healthy lifestyle challenge will enjoy a ropescourse, volleyball court, nature hike, archery,  kayaking, canoeing, swimming, and water trampoline! Evening campfires, as well as other traditional camp activities will provide opportunities to have fun and be active, as you gain skills that can use in your everyday life!

Family Adventures...
Explore Underwater Without Getting Wet!
Click HERE to register!
August 17 – August 19
Geneva Point Conference Center, Moultonborough, NH
www.genevapoint.org
Registration fee: $25.00/family*

Families will have a hands-on opportunity to modify and operate a Seaperch (mini remotely operated underwater vehicle), while collecting underwater items and water samples. There will also be plenty of time for swimming, canoeing, hiking, group games, birdwatching, digital photography, archery, and an evening coffeehouse performance! Spend the weekend in a beautiful, peaceful setting, sharing experiences with family and friends. The rustic nature of the facility eliminates modern distractions, leaving more time for evening campfires, s’mores and meals you don’t have to prepare…all while you relax and experience quality family time at beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee! We invite you to bring your along your favorite family games (outdoor and board).

 

 

 

*Fee waived upon request BEFORE registration, in cases where it presents a financial hardship. This nominal fee defrays the cost of OMK t-shirts, bags, or similar expenditures not covered or allowed by our grant funder.  Families will incur no other camp fees.

 

 

 

What is Operation: Military Kids (OMK)? Visit the National OMK website When National Guard, Reserve, and other military families living in civilian communities become mobilized, their children experience the stress of being a military kid.  These children have unique needs for special support and services, even though they still “look the same” to their friends and community. The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension  4-H Youth Development program partners with all branches of the military, American Legion, Red Cross, schools, Disaster Behavioral Health Response Team, the spiritual community, community recreation centers, Boys and Girls Clubs, and other youth and family organizations to form the outreach effort called Operation: Military Kids (OMK). This program functions in 49 states and the District of Columbia.
Goals of OMK OMK collaborates with groups across the state to provide sustainable local support services to military youth before, during, and after their family members are deployed.  OMK creates networks of support for the military children and connects them with other military and non-military youth through a variety of recreational, social and educational programs. OMK works to raise community awareness and foster understanding about the impact of the deployment cycle on the military member, family, child and larger community. OMK organizations act as resources for military children/families for things like summer camps, after school programs, and more
OMK Program Components:   Ready Set Go! Speak Out for Military Kids (SOMK) Hero Packs Mobile Technology Lab (MTL) Youth Focused Programs and Camps Babysitting Program
For more information about these programs and ways to get involved, click on the brochure links below!

 

 Operation Military Kids (OMK) Program:

• NH Military Youth Demographics - 2010
• OMK Program Brochure
• OMK Babysitter Instructor Course Brochure
• OMK Babysitting Brochure - Teens
• OMK Facts and Volunteer Opportunities
• OMK Hero Packs Brochure
• OMK Hero Packs How to Get Involved
• OMK Hero Pack Guidelines  
• OMK Hero Pack Appreciation Letters
• OMK Mobile Technology Lab (MTL) Brochure
• OMK Mobile Technology Lab Request Form
• OMK Resource Request Form

 Support Resources:

• An Educators Guide to Deployment
• APA: Resilliance in a Time of War:
  • Elementary school age
  • Middle school age
  • Teens
    
• How Communities Can Support
  
• How to Prepare Children and Stay Involved
• The Emotional Cycle of Deployment: A Military Perspective
• The Emotional Cycle of Deployment: For Counselors

 

 For more information:

• Community Support
• Family Resources
• News
• Youth Involvement

 

 Contacts:

 For more information about NH Operation: Military Kids, contact:

Charlotte Cross Operation: Military Kids Program Director Extension Educator/Specialist 4-H Youth Development UNH Cooperative Extension G05C Pettee Hall, 55 College Road Durham, NH 03824-3599 Phone: (603) 862-2495 E-mail: Charlotte.Cross@unh.edu

Jody Jackson Operation: Military Kids Program Program Coordinator 4-H Youth Development UNH Cooperative Extension G05D Pettee Hall, 55 College Road Durham, NH 03824-3599 Phone: (603) 862-2297 E-mail: Jody.Jackson@unh.edu

 For more information about NH National Guard Family Services, contact:

Elizabeth Wolfgram
State Family Program Director
1 Minuteman Way
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 225-1215
E-mail: elizabeth.wolfgram@us.army.mil

 

Operation: Military Kids is a partnership of Army Child and Youth Services, USDA National 4-H Headquarters, and The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, 4-H Youth Development Operation: Military Kids New Hampshire is funded by the USDA Army and Kansas State University 4-H Youth Development Project #2007-48661-03868.