Operation Military Kids (OMK) proponents in Wyoming are hoping for an invasion into their third and last retreat this summer for children of military personnel deployed overseas.
The retreat is 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, through noon Sunday, Aug. 23, at the Medicine Bow Lodge and Guest Ranch outside Saratoga. Registration deadline is Aug. 11.
The project, part of the Wyoming 4-H Program, supports children of deployed personnel by creating networks of support resources, providing recreational and education programs, helping children cope with the stress of having a parent or both parents away, and educating the public about the effects of deployment on soldiers and their families.
"This is a great experience for making new friends, learning new things and having fun," said Eloise Riley, OMK coordinator in the Laramie County office of the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service (UW CES). "There will be opportunities to work together and create a plan for future activities."
Activities include horseback riding, hiking and a Mobile Tech Lab photo project, she said. Instructors will be from the Laramie County UW CES office and the Wyoming National Guard.
Fpr Information about OMK and registration forms for the retreat, go here and click on the OMK Teen Retreat link for the required forms. Operation Military Kids is also on Facebook. Search for Operation Military Kids Wyoming.
For more information, contact the following at (307) 633-4383, or e-mail Riley at eriley3@uwyo.edu, 4-H/military educator Sarah Jackson at sjackson@uwyo.edu, or 4-H educator Jenna Evans at jevans23@uwyo.edu.
Posted on Friday, August 07, 2009