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Operation Military Kids

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, with camp fees paid by the OMK program funds:*
- Junior Member 4-H Camp - (Fifty 9 - 12 year olds)
- Forestry and Wildlife Camp - (Eight 10 - 13 year olds)
- High Adventure trip to New Mexico's Pecos Wilderness - (Three youth, 13 and older)
- OMK Movie Camp, with the Ozark Foothills Film Fest partnering to help youth develop documentary movies and public service announcements. (Twenty youth, 13 - 18: August 3 - 7)
- OMK Bicycle Adventure Camp - (Twenty youth, 12 and older: August 9 - 12)
- OMK Camo Camp - (Forty youth, 12 and older: August 9 - 12)
- OMK Bicycle Day Camps - Fourteen one-day treks at locations around the state, dates to be announced.

* Note: there is also funding to assist transportation to and from camps.

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.

Registration Form (PDF or On-Line)

Operation Military Kids Military Families in our Own Backyard - Drawing of dog tags

Operation Military Kids (OMK)

University of Arkansas • Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
2301 South University Avenue
Little Rock, Arkansas 72204 • USA
Phone (501) 671-2000 • Fax (501) 671-2209

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