wisconsin operation: military kids
TRANSCRIPT
Wisconsin operation: Military Kids
2012 Annual Report
Wisconsin Operation: Military KidsWisconsin is home to almost 15,000 military children, and they can be found in every county in the state. Operation: Military Kids (OMK) provides opportunities for these youth to connect with peers who are in similar situations, programming for those who need help coping with the stresses of deployment, and education for local communities about the impact of deployment on service members and their families and how they can offer support.
Our Mission: Wisconsin OMK builds partnerships to increase capacity of youth, families, and communities to support youth of Guard, Reserve, and Active Duty families.
Program Components
Operation: Military Kids offers programs through four core elements: Hero Packs; Ready, Set, Go! Training; Speak Out for Military Kids (SOMK);
and The Mobile Technology Lab (MTL).
Hero PacksOperation: Military Kids and Culver’s Restaurant in Tomah teamed up to present Military Family Appreciation Week, August 5th -11th. OMK and Culver’s collected items for Hero Packs, an element of OMK that salutes military youth for their strengths and sacrifices during the deployment of a loved one. Community members donated items to help children communicate with their deployed loved one, capture memories, or provide a diversion from the worries that go along with deployment. As a thank you, Culvers gave a token for a free custard to each person donating a Hero Pack item. On August 8th, ten percent of the day’s profits were donated to OMK. Over thirty Hero Packs were filled and nearly $600 was raised. This partnership was a treat for OMK and Wisconsin military families.
RSG! TrainingMany people will never experience the deployment of a loved one. Ready, Set, Go! Trainings offer insight into the phases of deployment, military culture, and how individuals and communities can offer support to those with a family member deployed. Throughout the year, RSG! Trainings were delivered to school personnel, college students, and community organization members, helping build common ground around a unique experience.
MTLTechnology offers an opportunity for military kids to build communication skills, express themselves, and feel connected. At events across the state the mobile tech lab helped youth capture memories, communicate with loved ones, and share their stories.
A Mobile Technology Lab creation by Super Summer Camp participants.
SOMKSharing a common experience and building friendships are important to any teen. Speak Out for Military Kids retreats give military kids a chance to bond with others who walk in their shoes. Participants spend time improving their communication and presentation skills, share their stories through various media presentations, and connect through their shared experience with the deployment of a loved one.
“Thank you for all of your blood, sweat and tears on Saturday. I know it’s a long day for everyone but it sure brings a lot of happiness to our military kids, members, visitors and retirees. I heard many compliments from very impressed parents and visitors. I also saw a smiling General Brandemuehl this morning who was very pleased and appreciative of all your hard work and the excellent result. You rock!” Kim Sandleback, Air National Guard Airman and Family Readiness Coordinator
OMK Makes A Difference:
OMK Informational Presentations: 58 •
OMK Informational Participants: 12,123 •
RSG! Trainings: 16 •
RSG! Participants: 1,022•
Wisconsin Impact:
Community SupportHero Packs are a fantastic way to thank local military families and show appreciation and support for the strength of military youth. Wisconsin OMK would like to recognize Dave Schneider for his generous Hero Pack Program donation.Dave wanted to support service members and their families and started by offering a free weekend of camping at the campground he owns and operates with his family, Indian Trails Camp Ground. That was just the beginning. Dave decided to educate the patrons of the camp ground about Operation: Military Kids. Soon campers were making donations to Wisconsin OMK . Dave collected over $5,000 during the camping season. Dave’s passion to support military families along with the generosity of Indian Trails Camp Ground clientele are greatly appreciated.
Military Youth Program Participants: 5,115 •
SOMK Program Participants: 253 •
Hero Packs Distributed: 256•
Operation; Military Kids is a partnership of U.S. Army Child, Youth and School Services, 4-H National Headquarters/National Institute of Food and Agriculture/U.S. Department of Agriculture, and The University of Wisconsin-Extension. Wisconsin Operation; Military Kids is supported by the 4-H/Army Youth Development Project under Kansas State University special project number 2010-48661-21868.
Navy Winter Adventure CampWinter may seem like a time to cuddle up in a chair with a good book, but that wasn’t the case for twenty-five Navy youth from Whidbey, Earle, and New Orleans Naval Bases. Many of the participants had never seen snow before, much less played in it. The week of Winter Adventure Camp focused on healthy lifestyle choices, being active, and trying new things. Teens and Navy Youth Center staff spent time snowboarding, learning their leadership style, and sharing their experiences with deployment. According to one camper, “The best part was skiing. It’s an experience that I really won’t ever forget because I had fun with new and old friends”. Participants’ Navy connections were enriched when they visited the Wisconsin Maritime Museum and spent time on the USS Cobia exploring life on a submarine. From a calming yoga practice each night to rating the healthiness of camp meals to rousing games of broomball, campers shared a unique experience in Wisconsin. “It was a once in a lifetime adventure spent with complete strangers that became close friends.”
Military Youth Program Participants: 5,115 •
SOMK Program Participants: 253 •
Hero Packs Distributed: 256•
This year OMK received The University of Wisconsin Chancellor’s Award of Excellence in Community Engagement
Find us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/WisconsinOperationMilitaryKids
For more information about Wisconsin Operation: Military Kids contact:Laura Pettersen
Military Liaison & 4-H Military Partnership DirectorUniversity of Wisconsin-Cooperative Extension
Visit us at: www.operationmilitarykids.org
American Legionwww.wilegion.org
Army Reserve ChildYouth and SchoolServicesFlormaria Gonzalezwww.arfp.com
Boys & Girls Clubs ofAmericaJohn Benbergwww.bgcgb.org
Military FamilyLife ConsultantRuth Pricewww.wisconsinmilitary.org
Milwaukee BucksSenator Herb KohlSkip RobinsonMegan Grabowskiwww.nba.com/bucks
115th Fighter WingWisconsin Air National GuardKim Sandlebeckwww.115fw.ang.af.mil
Navy LeagueDenny Behrwww.madisonnavyleague.org/
Supporting FamiliesTogether AssociationLilly B. Irvin-Vitelawww.supportingfamiliestogether.org
University of Wisconsin-Cooperative ExtensionSue CurtisLaura Pettersenwww.uwex.edu/ces
US Army Child Youth &School ServicesJan FinkBecky Walleywww.mccoymwr.com
Wisconsin 4-HCathy McPhailwww.uwex.edu/ces/4h/cty/grant
Wisconsin Associationof School BoardsJohn Ashleywww.wasb.org
Wisconsin Departmentof Public InstructionSteve Fernanwww.dpi.state.wi.us
Wisconsin National GuardTina Jeffordswww.wisconsinmilitary.org
University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterJim Larsonwww.uww.edu