OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD

CHILD & YOUTH PROGRAM

ANNUAL REPORT 2014

O K L A H O M A A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 4

MISSION STATEMENT

TO DEVELOP LEADERSHIP, PROVIDE SERVICES, RESOURCES, AND EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES THAT INSPIRE PERSONAL COURAGE, IMPART COPING SKILLS, AND PROMOTE PEER BONDING, ULTIMATELY CONTRIBUTING TO A MORE RESILIENT

COMMUNITY OF OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD CHILDREN AND YOUTH.

GOALS CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GEOGRAPHICALLY DISPERSED YOUTH TO BUILD POSITIVE AND LASTING RELATIONSHIPS

WITH OTHER MILITARY YOUTH.

PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL, RECREATIONAL, CONFIDENCE AND TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITIES

FOR MILITARY CHILDREN AND YOUTH.

PRESENT TRAINING TO PARTNERS AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY ABOUT MILITARY CULTURE AND ITS EFFECTS ON MILI-

TARY FAMILIES IN ORDER TO UNITE CORE STRENGTHS TO PROVIDE GREATER EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, AND PHYSICAL SUPPORT FOR OUR MILITARY KIDS.

FORGE EFFECTIVE LINES OF COMMUNICATION WITH WIDER POPULATION OF OKNG FAMILIES CREATING

ADDITIONAL FACE-TO-FACE OPPORTUNITIES.

“Our family has been thru many deployments and the kids have suffered by their dad being gone and unavailable. This program has been the community my family has needed to stay sane and keep seeing hope throughout all of the disasters and war. The child and youth program has truly been an incredible blessing as well as a resource to help my kids gain leadership skills and the courage needed to lead, and also to gain healthy habits to deal with negative feelings about deployment and military service.” - OKNG Parent

TOTAL YOUTH & TEENS SERVED

.

TOTAL PROGRAMMING HOURS: 645

VOLUNTEER SUPPORT

222 Total Adult & Teen Volunteers at 35 events to

support OKNG Children, Youth & Families

throughout the state of Oklahoma.

Total Volunteer Hours: 9,451

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: 1,015

AIR NATIONAL GUARD: 496

ACTIVE DUTY AIR FORCE: 63

ACTIVE DUTY ARMY: 25

ACTIVE DUTY NAVY: 6

ARMY RESERVE: 9

0—5 YEARS: 271

6 –12 YEARS: 823

13-17 YEARS: 580

TOTAL: 1,624

2014 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

10 YELLOW RIBBON EVENTS

STATE YOUTH SYMPOSIUM NORTH & SOUTH (INAUGURAL YEAR FOR NORTH)

2 AIR GUARD OMK ROCKETS, RIVETS, AND STEEL YOUTH CAMPS

180 YOUTH, CAMPERS, AND JUNIOR CAMPERS ATTENDED 18TH ANNUAL RESIDENTIAL “KIDS KAMP”

9 COMMUNITY BASED MILITARY FAMILY APPRECIATION DAYS AT ZOOS, AQUARIUMS, AND THEME

PARKS

TOTAL TRAININGS/OUTREACH/OTHER: 18

PLANNED AND PARTICIPATED IN THE VERY FIRST REGION 6 TEEN LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

TOTAL CHILD & YOUTH EVENTS/PROGRAMS: 37

BOTH CHILD & YOUTH COORDINATOR ARE NOW MASTER RESILIENCY TRAINERS!

“THE CHILDREN OF SERVICE MEMBERS ARE IN HIGHLY STRESSFUL SITUATIONS OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND THE CHILD AND YOUTH PROGRAM PROVIDE HEALTHY OUTLETS TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES, IDENTIFY WITH OTHERS IN THE SAME SITUATION,

AND ACTIVELY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE A PART OF THE SYSTEM LIKE THEIR PARENTS.” -OKNG PARENT

2014 STATE YOUTH SYMPOSIUM—NORTH AND SOUTH

In coordinating our efforts to support youth across the state of Oklahoma, we introduced the inaugural Youth Symposium North & South. Special guests and motivational speakers Bill Cordes and Patrick Perez captured the weekend theme, "The Game of Life" in activities, challenges and play. OKNG youth ages 11-17 years learned the art of unique experiential learning that involved all senses to reinforce learning, communication, understanding and awareness. At the completion of the weekend, one of our newest youth member told her mother who recently returned from de-ployment, "I've never felt so accepted." When her mother said, “that's great,” she responded with, "no Mom, ... ever."

OKLAHOMA NATIONAL

GUARD TEEN PANEL The Oklahoma National Guard Teen Panel had a very busy 2014. The Panel saw itself grow from 6 members to 10, with enough room left for 3 more members. All members contributed at least 125 volunteer hours, with one Panel member receiving the "Oklahoma National Guard Volunteer of the Year," award. The Panel again volunteered for Christmas at Positive Tomorrows, Oklahoma City's school for homeless children. Oklahoma's Teen Panel members represented themselves well at the inaugural Region 6 Teen Leadership Summit, with our President and Vice President being coined by the host state's Youth Coordinators for their outstanding contributions to the event. The Teen Panel also took part in 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens training at the OKNG owned Centennial House. Between academics, athletics, band contests, and other obligations, nine out of ten Panel members carved out enough time to attend the 18th Annual Oklahoma National Guard Kids Kamp; for a total contri-bution of 927 hours. Each member attending camp volunteered 103 hours over the course of the 6-day, 5-night camp. They volunteered in support of the over 100 campers that attended this year's Kids Kamp. In the next year, the Panel hopes to complete a formal charter, setting the conditions for continued growth and success of the Oklahoma National Guard Teen Panel. As a Pilot State for Master Resilience Training, the Panel is looking forward to receiving training from the CYPCs.

2014 FAMILY RESILIENCY CAMP Through a grant received by the USO, the Armed Services YMCA provided sponsorship of over $57,000 to the Oklahoma National Guard Family Program Office which resulted in camps supporting over 50 family members through a unique camping experience at Camp Classen. Priority was given to families most recently affected by deployment. Our goal was to provide a warm, nurturing and joyful atmosphere that fostered resiliency in these special families. The camp curriculum offered activities such as canoeing, horseback riding, fishing, scenic hikes. Minute to Win It (for families) and an expressive arts session for all age groups. “They have all been through so much, and to bring them out to explore the Arbuckle Mountains, reconnect with one another and celebrate their resiliency - - it was amazing.” Camp Classen Executive Director, Scott Hall.

“ [The best part of the Program is] The inclusive, embracing love for children and the desire and actions taken to tighten the ties among the children and between the children and their families.” –OKNG Parent

O K L A H O M A

S t a t e & N a t i o n a l P a r t n e r s “[Our] partnership is comprised of enthusiastic youth development professionals who believe in the mission of both programs, who are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of geographically dispersed military youth and their families, who value the importance of genuine youth/adult relationships and who truly enjoy working together.” - Oklahoma OMK Coordinator Pat McNally

P a r t n e r s h i p H i g h l i g h t s Through a $36,000 grant received by Oklahoma Operation: Military Kids, OKNG military

families experienced the healing wonders of the outdoor world at Spring and Summer Fam-ily Nature Camps. Indulging in nature therapy, over 50 families relaxed and experienced a renewed connectedness with nature and each other and explored the great outdoors; canoeing, biking, geocaching, bird watching, horseback riding and star gazing.

The 2nd annual TAG Horseback Heroes has truly become a community-wide partnered event. Over 80 children, their families and 70 volunteers gathered on a beautiful autumn day at Covey Creek Farms in southwest Oklahoma City. An equine farrier, tack & grooming, calf roping, and horseback riding professionals donated their time and resources to teach OKNG youth the ropes of running a ranch. A delicious home-cooked breakfast and lunch was provided by local restaurants and suppliers.

O K L A H O M A A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 4 P A M R E E D S L E A D C Y P C 3 5 3 7 N E M I L I T A R Y C I R O K L A H O M A C I T Y , O K 7 3 1 1 1 ( 4 0 5 ) 2 0 8 - 1 1 0 7 P A M E L A . R E E D S . C T R @ M A I L . M I L B A R R Y M C C O Y C Y P C 3 5 3 7 N E M I L I T A R Y C I R O K L A H O M A C I T Y , O K 7 3 1 1 1 ( 4 0 5 ) 3 4 3 - 6 9 8 6 B A R R Y . O . M C C O Y . C T R @ M A I L . M I L P L E A S E C O N T A C T Y O U R S T A T E Y O U T H C O O R D I N A T O R S F O R I N F O R M A T I O N A B O U T G E T T I N G I N V O L V E D !

F I N D U S B Y S E A R C H I N G F O R “ O K L A H O M A N A T I O N A L G U A R D C H I L D A N D Y O U T H P R O G R A M ”

“ O U R S T A T E C O O R D I N A T O R S A R E F A M I L Y T O U S . T H E Y T R E A T O U R C H I L D R E N W I T H S U C H D I G N I T Y A N D R E S P E C T . I C A N N O T P R A I S E T H E M E N O U G H ! ” - O K N G P A R E N T

“The major strength of our Child and Youth Program is the leadership. They are always

focused on how to help our military children with whatever issues they may be going thru. They are an amazing group of leadership and we are