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4-H Operation Military Kids
(OMK)
4-H Operation Military Kids (OMK) Program Looking
for Children of Deployed Military Here in Arkansas.
As part of a national partnership between 4-H and the Department
of Defense, Arkansas' Operation Military Kids program is again on
the march. The program offers support to children who are impacted
by the global war on terrorism, especially during the deployment of
a parent or parents.
Maureen Rose, program associate, is the director of the OMK
program in Arkansas. There are opportunities for involvement in
every county, for both traditional 4-H members and military kids.
Core programs for OMK include:
- Hero Packs - 4-H clubs can gather items to stuff the
hero packs, and write letters of appreciation to youth whose
parents are in any stage of deployment. The hero packs can
be presented by the 4-H members at a public event.
- Mobile Technology Lab - military kids spend time using
the mobile lab at a local event just for them. They can
learn technology, prepare podcasts, generate communications,
or work on photos and scrapbooks for their family.
- Speak Out for Military Kids - a program to bring
military and non-military kids together to develop speakers'
bureaus, public service announcements or documentaries on
military families' special needs.
- Community Awareness - in today's "military in our own
backyard" setting, some communities may not be aware of the
special needs of families with deployed soldiers. Our OMK
partners - 4-H, Arkansas Department of Education, Boys &
Girls Clubs, Army Child and Youth Services, Veteran's
Organizations, and others - are available to speak in your
communities.
- OMK Parade Unit - Youth in your communities will be
able to check out the "Pflathead Soldiers" parade unit to
salute your local soldiers.
- 4-H Camping opportunities - Children of deployed military are eligible to attend the
following camps at C.A. Vines 4-H Center, with camp fees paid by the OMK program funds:*
For more information, or to add your child's name to the list of
eligible youth, contact Maureen Rose at 501-671-2066,
mrose@uaex.edu.
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