In the U.S., there are about 2 million military-connected children. Many military children deal with frequent relocations, the deployment of a parent or sibling or other challenges that come with having family in the armed services.
As Month of the Military Child, April celebrates the bravery and resilience of these children. And it highlights some of the needs they have. It’s important these children have as many ways as possible to stay connected and engaged. Let’s look at just a few ways they can do that.
4-H Club. 4-H has been around for more than 100 years, helping to guide children into adulthood. The club focuses on citizenship, healthy living and science education. And these days, it has military partnerships meant just for the benefit of military children. 4-H provides opportunities for teamwork, problem solving and leadership. Information on Texas 4-H clubs can be found here.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America. For more than 20 years, the Boys & Girls Club of America has partnered with the military. The organization offers programs that focus on areas such as leadership, the arts, health and wellness and career development. The organization also offers free membership to all military children living on bases and to 70 percent living off base. To find a Texas Boys & Girls Club near you, click here.
Operation Purple Camps. The National Military Family Association has helped more than 60,000 military children attend camps across the U.S. since 2004. The group arranges one free week of camp for these children through the Operation Purple Camp program. Texas currently has two camps that take part. Both are in Fort Worth at the Camp Carter Overnight Camp.
Camp Corral. More than 10,000 military children have attended free Camp Corral camps across the U.S. All military children are eligible. But preference is given to children of wounded, ill or fallen military service members. In Texas, there are two Camp Corral programs run through YMCAs in the small communities of Graford (Camp Grady Spruce) and Hunt (Camp Flaming Arrow).
In a way, our military children serve, too. And Veteran Energy thanks all of them for their courage and sacrifice.
