february 2011 somk at winter camp - rutgers...
TRANSCRIPT
February 2011 SOMK at Winter Camp
From January 28-30, 4-H teens from Morris, Mercer, Burlington, Gloucester, and Salem counties came together for a weekend of winter fun at the L.G. Cook 4-H Camp in Stokes State Forest. The deep snow on the hill made sledding so much fun, even the chaperones joined in. Inside, teens created works of art with shrinky-dinks, puffy paint t-shirts, woodworking, clay pens, crocheting and knitting. On Saturday, Speak Out Military Kids (SOMK) challenged this creative group to design games and activities that could be used to teach community members about military deployment. To start the workshop, participants acted out the roles of family and community members in deployment scenes. Teens discussed their character’s point of view with each other. After exploring the effects of deployment, participants were asked to develop their own games to be used with both military and non-military audiences. One group brainstormed a list of questions to be used as icebreakers. The questions were written on a beach ball and tossed from one participant to the next. This light-hearted conversation tool was a big hit and will travel with OMK to future camps. Another group created a board game focusing on the point of view of the deployed soldier. Players use stars as markers as they travel across the patriotic board. This game is easy to learn, fun to play, and sure to make an appearance at the next OMK camp. To top off the workshop, two teens teamed up to create a choose-your-own-adventure story. Be sure to check the website to read the story when it is finished. Winter Camp was a great opportunity to make new friends, enjoy the snow, and develop a community service project. To see pictures from the weekend visit http://morris.njaes.rutgers.edu/OMK.html.
• OMK State Team Meeting—March 9 • Training to Support Young Military Children—
March 31-April 1 • Training to Support School-age Military Youth—
April 14-15 • Celebration of the Military Child—April 16
Professionals supporting families and very young children are invited to learn more about the unique needs of military families and the resources available to support them. The New Jersey National Guard is sponsoring this free two day training on March 31 and April 1. ZERO TO THREE, a program funded though the Department of Defense, will teach participants how to support infants and toddlers affected by the stress of military
deployment and reintegration. To learn more and to register visit http://morris.njaes.rutgers.edu/OMK.html.
The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) invites school administrators, educators, counselors, and psychologists to attend a two day workshop event titled “Living in the New Normal: Helping Children Thrive in Good and Challenging Times.” From April 14-15, participants will learn about the effects of the military deployment cycle on families, discover ways to support military children, and develop strategies to raise community awareness and support. Details can be found at www.MilitaryChild.org.
MCEC Training April 14-15
ZERO TO THREE Training March 31-April 1
April is the Month of the Military Child and Operation: Military Kids is celebrating at the Burlington YMCA on April 16. From 1:00-4:00 pm, military kids will participate in arts and crafts, scale the climbing wall, enjoy face painting, and splash around in the pool. Come meet new friends and have a great time with OMK and the YMCA. For more information visit
http://morris.njaes.rutgers.edu/OMK.html.
Celebration of the Military Child April 16
Do you have something to share about military life? OMK News wants to hear it! Send us your drawings, poems, stories, or anything else you can come up with that share your thoughts or experiences with deployment or military life. Visit http://morris.njaes.rutgers.edu/OMK.html for more details.
• Morris and Gloucester Counties for creating games, stories and pictures to teach communities about military deployment.
• The many artists who submitted their designs for this year’s OMK posters.
Drawing by Ralya Ragin (age 7)
Want to keep up with the latest OMK news? Do you have an idea or topic to share with other military kids? Become a member of the NJ Operation: Military Kids Facebook group. Camp season is right around the corner and you do not want to miss out on important details. Visit www.facebook.com and search for NJ Operation: Military Kids.
OMK Facebook Page
Drawing by Austin Yang (age 11)
Drawing by Deundre Williams (age 8)
For more information about Operation: Military Kids
visit
www.operationmilitarykids.org
or contact
Kelly Allison NJ OMK Project Coordinator Phone: (973) 285-8300 x234
E-mail: [email protected]
Operation: Military Kids is a partnership of Army Child, Youth and School Services, National 4-H Headquarters/USDA, and Rutgers University & Departments of 4-H Youth Development. Operation: Military Kids-NJ is supported by the 4-H/Army Youth Development Project under Kansas State University special project number 2007-48661-03868. OMK programs are open to dependents of active/deployed military service members.
OMK Staff
Kelly Allison Rachel Lyons NJ OMK Project Coordinator NJ OMK Project Director [email protected] [email protected]
Marie Waldron Bill Sardone OMK Camp Program Assistant OMK Program Assistant [email protected] [email protected]
1. “Stick with me and we’ll go places.” 2. Can I hold your hand, hand, hand, hand,
hand, hand, hand?” 3. A hug and a hiss.
1. What did the Valentine card say to the stamp?
2. What did the boy octopus say to the girl octopus?
3. What does a snake want for Valentine’s day?
Riddle Me This!
Best Valentine Mom By Joanna Fuchs
On Valentine’s Day, I think of you, Mom; I love you really a lot. In my life that’s full of many good things, You’re the very best thing I’ve got! It’s Valentine’s Day, so I want to say, I’m the luckiest kid anywhere; You’re the sweetest, greatest, best mom around And I want you to know I care!
Happy Valentine’s Day to My Dad By Joanna Fuchs
Dad you are my favorite man, And I sure want you to know,
I’ll always respect and love you, Dad No matter how big I grow!