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In the News - May 2009
Children of Arkansas military invited to participate in 2009 camps
LITTLE ROCK - 4-H Operation Military Kids, or OMK, a partnership program
supporting programs for children of United States military personnel, is
offering several camping opportunities for Arkansas youth this summer.
The camps are offered at no charge to children of regular, Guard, and Reserve
members from all branches of military service who are currently in any stage of
deployment.
This includes the children of members of the Arkansas National Guard 39th
brigade that returned home at the end of 2008, as well as any children of
service men or women currently deployed or scheduled to deploy this year.
"Because today's military live in our own small towns and cities, there is a
greater need for community support for families, especially during deployment,"
said Maureen Rose, who is director for 4-H OMK in Arkansas.
Arkansas' OMK Partners include Army Child and Youth Services, Arkansas 4-H,
Arkansas American Legion, Military Child Education Coalition, American Red
Cross, Arkansas Department of Education, and Boys and Girls Clubs of Central
Arkansas, and the Ozark Foothills Film Fest.
There is no charge for the children of military personnel. Each OMK camp will
have a Military Family Life Counselor in attendance. Families needing assistance
with travel costs may apply for reimbursement.
2009 OMK Camps and application due dates include:
(Application due June 1)
- Forestry and Wildlife Camp - June 22 - 25, C. A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center.
This camp will accept eight military youth age 10 to13. Youth will explore
forestry and wildlife in a camp setting. The outstanding educational resources
of the 4-H Center, along with outside speakers will make this a great camp
experience.
- State 4-H Member Camp - July 13 - 15, C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center.
Accepting up to 50 military youth age 9 to 12 (4th - 7th grades for the next
school year). This three-day camp will be based around the theme of traveling
around the world! Workshops activities will teach campers about different
countries, their language, cultures, foods, and crafts. Other activities include
canoeing, fishing, arts and crafts, basketball, and campfire programs.
(Application due June 15 with $10 registration fee)
- Movie Camp - August 3 - 7. Accepting twenty youth age 13 - 18. This camp
will accept up to 10 youth who are not children of deployed military. Campers
will learn basic videography skills, including story boarding, shooting and
editing. They will develop Public Service Announcements and Documentaries about
the special needs of military families. Instructors will include faculty and
staff from the Ozark Foothills Film Fest and will be directed by Willa Williams
Arkansas 4-H STEM Coordinator. A "Red Carpet Event" will conclude the camp.
- Camo Camp - August 9 - 12, accepting 40 youth age 12 - 18. This camp will
feature outdoor adventure activities, including ATV safety and hands-on driving
instruction, canoeing, wildlife ecology, archery, and a cardboard boat
construction and racing competition. The camp director is Shannon Caldwell,
Arkansas 4-H Camp coordinator.
- Arkansas Cycling Camp and Tour - August 9 - 12, accepting 20 youth age 12 -
18. Campers will learn and practice bicycle safety and maintenance for on and
off road biking, and will take daytime tours, with a final overnight tent
camping experience.
(Application due two weeks prior to camp date)
- Bicycle Safety Day Camps - A series of one-day bike rides, exploring historic
and natural resources throughout Arkansas. Each camp will accept ten youth, age
9 -19. The camps include:
- Thursday, June 11 - Toltec Mounds State Park, near Little Rock
- Friday, June 12 - Pinnacle Mountain State Park, near Little Rock
- Thursday, June 25 - Arkansas River Trail, near Little Rock
- Friday, June 26 - Arkansas State Capitol, near Little Rock
- Tuesday, July 28 - Bentonville City Loop, Bentonville
- Wednesday , July 29 - Lake Dardanelle State Park, near Russellville
- Thursday, July 30 - Petit Jean State Park, near Morrilton
- Friday, July 31 - Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site,
Little Rock
- Thursday, Aug. 13 - Camp Robinson, North Little Rock
- Friday, August 14 - Emerald Park / Fort Roots - North Little Rock
- Tuesday, August 18 - Village Creek State Park - near Wynne
- Wednesday, August 19 - Mississippi River Trail - West Memphis
- Thursday, August 20 - Delta Heritage Trail - West Helena
- Friday, August 21 - Old Washington State Park - Washington
Parents may access application forms at
www.kidsARus.org and select "Operation Military Kids." For more
information on OMK programs and camps, or to volunteer, contact Maureen Rose,
OMK director, at 501-671-2066 or mrose@uaex.edu.
4-H OMK programs are offered through the Cooperative Extension Service, part
of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. These programs are
offered to all youth age 5 - 19 regardless of race, color, national origin,
religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status or any other
legally protected status.
May 15, 2009
Media Contact: Elizabeth Fortune
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
efortune@uaex.edu
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