Page 53 - Best Chapter Spring 2017

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“These kids don’t necessarily know each other,” I h‘ 4' (’ ,_ '

Carroll said. “They come from across Ohio. But ~_ , T _ . . . -"C '7' ' I

when they get to camp, they all understand each I _ , - ' ' ‘ _ ._ '. T ' ‘

other. They can share their experiences and find I '-d'::fi€_- _‘ ‘ .' _‘ _ f" - .

other kids who consider the military life normal.” ‘ i . . . . : ’ " } I, '

In 2005, the first Ohio Military Kids camp was just ‘ ‘(J1 “ ‘ "'

a weekend, and 81 campers attended. Today, the , F“ 1 ‘ V

camp has grown to welcome nearly 300 children lgzil ,‘ i‘ ,

who stay on the island for 5 days. Campers are . I _ ii; it U ‘

divided into a youth camp for kids ages 9-11 and a -' “ ‘ V‘, l.°.‘...'i - 1

teen camp for kids aged 12-15. In addition to the ‘ ,_ ‘
campers, the National Guard and 4-H partner to

bring more than 100 youth and adult volunteers, ‘

about half of whom are from military families or are

former campers and the other half who are involved : - . l

in their local 4-H program. _ _', K "ff 5 _

fl , .- . ‘ .

The Ohio Military Kids camp is organized much "“'*"'-_':, ,, » _; ‘

like a typical summer camp, with daily activities, ‘§‘ ‘ 3 i i ; . ' :1 ""o'=" -
games, campfires, and group meals. But the week is , ‘ A\ 3 ‘C " ‘_-' Y, ‘ ‘_

ls dotted with s ecial militar -s ecific activities ‘ ‘i . ' J ‘

a 0 p y p , » \ , . ~_ , __ \

and guests. Campers are taught how to raise v__[ ‘ ‘ 1 ‘\ ~ M
and fold the flags, and they’re taught about flag -. R ’ . . .
etiquette. What would normally be the “supplies W ' ,_ "" " ‘s - .4
cabinet” at a typical camp becomes the “Ops Tent,” K g V : fin

and it’s staffed by military service members—all in , ' —
the name of providing children a small glimpse into 3,, \"it-
the life that their parents lead while away.

“Many of our nurses and medics come from the » ‘ V ~ 7"

medical detachment of the National Guard,” 7 « 2 .

Ferrari said. “We also do a ‘Military Moment’ every " ‘ __ _ ‘
day when one of our military staff members or a ' T“ A '4 —< '
special guest visitor will give a short presentation —— V i f ”'~ ‘ -
or demonstration to talk about military values and __ _, V " ' .

why he or she joined the military. The kids get to see """V" .' 3)’ .

. . . . ' -"-‘v- * ) “. 6 .45; V ,

someone Just like their parent up there talking _ h --... .. . :e -I 4

tothem.” ./ fld '
One of the crowd-favorite activities is when a . ‘ ,-' — — ' ‘la,’
special group of Navy Reservists who are affiliated > ' Q \‘ ‘ 5‘

‘A: 3-‘ .. ~ _" S . '._w
The day begins and ends with flag ceremonies. When camp
ends, it's not goodbye, it's “See you next year!”
BEST CHAPTER 53