February 26, 2007

LINCOLN, Neb. — When Maren Vik's father was deployed in Iraq for a year she didn't really know any kids with a parent in the military.

Operation Military Kids and military 4-H Clubs help kids like Vik get through these times.

"Since guard families are spread out across the state, (Operation Military Kids) was a great way to get to know some other kids that understood what I was going through," the Lincoln North Star High School senior said.

Operation Military Kids is a collaborative effort of 4-H, American Legion and its Auxiliary, Boys and Girls Clubs and schools designed to raise community awareness and help youth whose parents are deployed, said Mark Simmons, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension educator in Douglas and Sarpy counties, who serves as the state's military 4-H liaison. It is offered statewide to Air Force bases and children and youth who are geographically dispersed. The program also places special emphasis on the children of National Guard and Reserve soldiers.

These programs not only support the families, but also support the troops because they know their community is giving them a hand while they are deployed, Simmons said. UNL Extension recently received three grants totaling $130,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Armed Forces to continue these types of programs.

"Often these kids have no one else to talk to about their parents being deployed," Simmons said. "In addition, this helps out the other parent during this difficult time. It's important for families to know they have their community's support."

Vik, along with Erica Andersen, also are involved in the Operation Military Kids' program Speak Out for Military Kids. The group consists of 10 teens from across the state who speak to different community groups about issues related to military kids.

The program raises support for military kids, Vik said.

Andersen, whose father is in the Air National Guard, said through the group they have been able to hear a lot of different stories and are exposed to a lot of different experiences.

"You know you are not alone and that is really cool," the Lincoln High senior said. "I like how I'm able to help others through it and in a way you feel like you are giving back to your community."

Operation Military Kids also organizes Hero Packs, which consist of backpacks filled with various items such as stationary to write Mom or Dad, journals, disposable cameras and a handwritten letter from a young person in Nebraska thanking them for their service when a military parent is deployed, Simmons said.

"We've had 4-H members, school groups, 4-H Clubs, counties, and others help us put these packs together," Simmons said. "They help youth deal with the fact that Mom or Dad is being deployed, and Mom and Dad know that their communities are thinking of their kids."

Military 4-H clubs provide 4-H opportunities for youth whose parents are on U.S. Air Force bases. In Nebraska, 4-H Club activities are offered at Offutt Air Force Base's youth center.

"This program provides 4-H opportunities for youth whose parents are stationed at Air Force bases," Simmons said. "Every Air Force base and every Army installation in the world now has 4-H Clubs. So, whenever the family has to move, they always have a 4-H Club to go to, to ease the transition associated with moving frequently."

The program at Offutt promotes 4-H to youth across the base, which includes various 4-H Club activities and 4-H camps.

For more information, visit the Web at Nebraska Operation Military Kids. Communities can apply for grants and training is available.

UNL Extension is in the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

2/26/07-SAK

Contacts:

Mark Simmons
Douglas-Sarpy County Extension
Extension Educator
(402) 561-7575

Sandi Alswager Karstens
IANR News and Photography
(402) 472-3030

Department:
4-H Youth Development