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Operation Military Kids:
“4-H Serving Military Families in our own backyard”

What is Operation: Military Kids?

Operation Military Kids (OMK) is a nationwide initiative designated to provide support to the children and youth of families that are impacted by the Global War on Terrorism. This includes those served by Army installations, Air Force bases, and those children and youth who are geographically dispersed. Building upon their ten year collaboration to support youth development programs, 4-H and its military partners are now placing special emphasis on the children and youth of National Guard and Reserve Soldiers.

Nebraska’s Military 4-H Programs

• Offutt Youth Center
  • Nearly 200 youth currently participate in 4-H activities and projects which help them build life skills such as teamwork, communication skills, and leading others.
     
• HERO PACKS
  • Nebraska 4-Hers are preparing “Hero Packs” for donations to children who have a parent deployed in the U.S. military. Each Hero Pack is a 4-H backpack with a disposable camera, a photo album, a 4-H Liberty Bear and other items. The 4-Hers also will write letters to be inserted in the Hero Packs to express appreciation.
     
• Camp Clover
  • The dependent children ages 12-16 of deployed soldiers are asked to make many sacrifices. In addition to missing a parent, they usually have added responsibilities in the home. Weekend camps at the Eastern Nebraska 4-H Center in Gretna and the State 4-H Camp in Halsey provide a much needed break.
     
• Washington Experience/Speak Out for Military
  • Youth Six Nebraska youth representing civilian 4-H members and military families, from across Nebraska will be selected through essays and interviews to represent the needs and concerns of military youth in Nebraska. Selected youth will visit political and military leaders in Washington D.C. The youth will get the chance to further appreciate the history and significance of the servicemen and women who are in the United States Military. Upon returning to Nebraska, these youth will attend meetings of community organizations and service groups to inform Nebraska residents of the stresses placed upon all military families in our state.