Photo By Tech. Sgt. Sienna Schehr | Leah Eichenauer, daughter of Louisiana Army National Guardsman Maj. Lida Eichenauer,...... read more read more
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POLLOCK, La. – Approximately 90 Louisiana Army and Air National Guardsmen children attended the annual Operation: Military Kids Spring Camp Lagniappe at the 4-H Camp Grant Walker in Pollock, April 30 – May 1.
“Operation: Military Kids is a program operated by the LSU AgCenter and 4-H Youth Development partnered with the Department of Defense to give military youth around the state of Louisiana … an opportunity to socialize, meet each other and just have a fun time,” said Leslie Moran, OMK Program coordinator. “We do this because it really is all about the kids and bringing families together.”
Jennifer Binka, mother of four and wife of deployed Army Sgt. Robert Binka with the 389th Cavalry, was excited about bringing her kids to another OMK camp.
“This is an amazing organization for our kids,” said Binka. “Coming to camps like these keeps their minds off the deployment, and they get to meet other kids from different branches of the military who are going through the same thing.”
The camp included several activities such as archery, canoeing, rock-wall climbing and a marksmanship training and competition.
The children also helped maintain a garden on the campground and learned the basics of growing vegetables. During arts and crafts time, they decorated garden pavers in recognition of their military parents for the “Victory Garden”.
“This is my second time here, and I had so much fun,” said nine-year-old Seth Benton, son of Louisiana Guardsman Maj. Larry Benton. “My favorite part out of everything was canoeing.”
Army Maj. Lida Eichenauer, J1 operations officer for the LANG, has been a volunteer for the last several years. She said she enjoys coming out every time and participating in the traditional activities with the kids.
“Meeting other military kids is the main focus here,” said Eichenauer. “They keep in touch after leaving camp; they’re able to reach out to one another. A kid who has been through a deployment can help another kid to prepare or help cope with those emotions.
“Knowing they have friends here at Camp Lagniappe who survived a deployment helps prepare the kids, so they see that things will be ok.”
As a military member and mom, Eichenauer said programs like the LANG Child & Youth Program and OMK provide the children with a wealth of opportunities.
“Overall the camp was a great success!” concluded Moran.
The next camp will be held in late September.
| Date Taken: | 04.30.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.13.2011 19:35 |
| Story ID: | 70350 |
| Location: | POLLOCK, LA, US |
| Web Views: | 191 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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