Hero PacksOver 400 Hero Packs were made across the state for youth facing the deployment of a parent. Organizations including the Louisiana Counseling Association held drives to collect stuffed animals to put inside of the packs. Over 500 letters were written by the community to show support and encourage military kids who have deployed parents. One local 4-H club held a school-wide event to collect items, write letters, and pack 150 Hero Packs that were later delivered by the kids to nearby military youth.

Ready, Set, GO! TrainingsLouisiana OMK has provided 8 RSG and mini RSG trainings throughout the state in order for members of our community to better understand the important issues military families face. Those who have been RSG trained assist with camps, volunteer for military events, and most importantly spread their knowledge to others about how we can support families in our communities going through deployment.

Speak Out for Military KidsMore than 1400 high school youth traveled to Louisiana State University in June to participate in 4-H University. Through a session in the program’s Clover College, youth had the opportunity to meet and to learn the stories of Louisiana’s military kids. Together, 4-H and military kids created public service announcements to promote a better understanding of what Louisiana’s military families face. This was a great way for military kids to make connections to other youth in the state.

Mobile Technology LabsThese computer labs travel throughout the state to keep military kids connected to their deployed parents. The Mobile Technology Labs were used to create public service announcements about the issues military families face at this year’s 4-H University, 4-H Clover College, Speak Out for Military Kids retreat and Camp Lagniappe.

BASIC TRAINING CALLING ALL TROOPS Louisiana Operation: Military Kids

2010 annual report

Operation: Military Kids is a partnership of Army Child, and Youth Services, USDA National 4-H Headquarters and LSU AgCenter. Operation: Military Kids- Louisiana is funded by the 4-H/Army Youth Development Project under Kansas State University Special Project Number 2007-48661-03868.

How can I get involved?Louisiana’sPartners

LSU Ag Center

Louisiana 4-H

American Legion

American Legion Auxiliary

American Red Cross

Boys and Girls Club of Baton Rouge

Collegiate 4-H

I Care

IAC Boy Scouts of America

Louisiana Board of Regents

Louisiana Department of Education

Louisiana National Guard

Louisiana Parks and Recreation

Louisiana Veterans of Foreign Wars

Louisiana Youth Prevention Services

NACCRRA

U.S. Army Reserves

Louisiana Department of Social Services

Report for DutyLSU AgCenter 4-H Youth Development Office

225.578.2196laomk@agcenter.lsu.edu

Tanya Giroir - Louisiana 4-H Military Liaison

Leslie Moran - Interim Program Coordinator

www.lsuagcenter.com/4hwww.operationmilitarykids.org

www.4hmilitarypartnerships.org“I love going to work every day because I know how wonderful the military families in Louisiana are, and the incredible sacrifices that they make each and every day. From spreading the word about OMK in the community to having a blast with the kids at camp, I love every aspect of my job because I know that it makes a difference!” ~ Ashley “Spert” Hayes LSU OMK Graduate assistant

letters from base

Operation: Military Kids (OMK) can only be made possible through the countless hours of service that civilian citizens put into helping out military families around them.

You can help out military families in your community by stuffing hero packs, creating a walk of honor, or participating in a yellow ribbon ceremony, among many other great opportunities!

Educate yourself on the issues that military families face and find out how you can help! To find out how you can get involved, contact our office, your local 4-h office or local military station to find out how you can get involved.

THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR

TIME AND SUPPORT!

~ The OMK Team

HEROES come in all sizes. I’ve seen the faces and heard the stories of heroes most often overlooked: military children.Military kids take on great responsibilities to keep their families functioning when parents deploy, often living with relatives and fluctuating family incomes.

Louisiana Operation: Military Kids (LOMK) in conjunction with the LSU AgCenter 4-H Youth Development Office and the US Department of Defense are committed to supporting children who are impacted by military deployment. The priority goal of OMK is to help create grassroots community support networks for military youth “in their own backyard.”

Many military kids live in your neighborhood, often isolated from other military families and normal military support. The 28,000 military kids in Louisiana face dramatic change when a parent suddenly deploys into potentially dangerous assignments.

OMK brings the resources of the Land Grant University - youth development professionals, research based curricula, and high quality training -- to our military youth. As military families move often, 4-H provides stable programming and a nurturing environment for military kids. Louisiana is working with state and local partners such as Boys and Girls Club, Louisiana National Guard, US Army Reserves, Military Family Life Consultants, Red Cross, I Care, and American Legion to create connections for even the youngest of our military heroes. These partnerships provide social, educational and recreational activities for military kids and their families. When our service members know that their children and families are supported and resilient, then they can focus on their job – protecting me and you.

Local support networks are the key to making OMK a success. This involves leveraging resources in local communities to provide support services that assist military kids. The OMK program hopes to create long-term, sustainable value on the local community level. Sustainability relies on commitment – mine and yours. Start learning how you can make a difference in your community. Thank you for your care and support!

I’ve been told I DREAM too big. The dream is not for me… it’s for our BRAVE HEROES… Louisiana’s Military Kids.

Very Respectfully, Tanya Giroir Louisiana 4-H Military Liaison

SOUND OFF

The goals of Louisiana Operation: Military Kids are to connect military children with each other as well as to support networks where they live and to educate and empower the community to be those support networks. In 2010, LOMK reached over 350 military youth in special events and camps alone. Representatives from the Louisiana OMK office put on 13 training seminars for volunteers, military families and officials from other states. LOMK also received $189,000 in monetary and in-kind donations to support military families across the state.

LOUISIANA IMPACT

I love and really enjoy Operation Military Kids for several reasons! I love that the kids can forget that their parents are away helping to keep our country safe and just be kids! OMK also affords the opportunity for kids ages 5-18 to participate. This opportunity to enjoy, learn, and meet other kids just like them is not open to this large of an age span in any other club or community. The bonus for me is that I enjoy the camps as much as the kids! OMK is a WIN-WIN for all! - Brenda Bulot (OMK Volunteer)

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TFall Camp LagniappeIn November, the weather at Camp Grant Walker was perfect for camping. Military kids pitched their own tents for a true camping experience. Campers created Zoom Albums with the Mobile Technology Lab featuring their favorite camp pictures. These photo albums fit perfectly inside the pocket of a soldier’s uniform sleeve and are a great way for a parent to feel close to their children while they are deployed.

Spring Camp LagniappeMore than 80 youth ages 5 to 18 came to Camp Grant Walker to participate in Camp Lagniappe. The weekend included developing skills at the archery and shooting ranges as well as arts and crafts made from recycled paper. As the sun went down, campers enjoyed making s’mores by the campfire and participated in the first annual Camp Art contest. Crislyn, age 9, created the winning art, voted on by campers, which depicted her favorite thing to do at camp, canoe with her friends.

Kids ATMore than 170 National Guard youth from across the state participated in this four day event to better understand what their military parents go through during basic training. Camp counselors are older children of National Guard members, which gives them a great way to gain leadership experience. It is a great way for kids to learn more about the military and connect with other military kids around the state.

SET CampMilitary youth from across the state traveled to Camp Minden, LA for a weekend filled with science fun! This Science, Engineering, and Technology themed camp was sponsored by the Louisiana Camping Grant Initiative and featured hands on learning experience relating science to their everyday lives. At night, campers enjoyed a “DIY Science” time where they could choose to make their own perfume, slime, and bouncy balls to take home.

“I never knew that there were

other kids out there

just like me.LOMK helped me make friends while my daddy is away!”

-- Tristan Welch

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military kids by region

Military Kids in Louisiana in 2010: 28,1458409

2604

960

6866

9306 SOUTHEAST

SOUTHWEST

NORTHEAST

NORTHWEST

CENTRAL