TOPEKA, Kan. - Guidons flap in the wind as children dressed in brightly colored shirts march in formation, echoing their leaders’ cadence.
This scene is repeated every year at the Kansas National Guard's Operation Kids Camp. The weeklong event, held May 26-30 at the Great Plains Training Center, Salina, Kansas, hosts children of service members ages 8 to 12.
"This program is to show kids what their parents do during annual training or drill," said Michelle Jones, Kids Camp volunteer camp director. "It gives Guard kids a chance to network with other military kids."
Over the course of the week, the campers build lasting friendships while exploring their parents’ day-to-day military experiences.
Teambuilding starts at day one, when campers are assigned to squads. The first mission of the week is to decorate their squad's guidon and get to know their squad mates.
Soldiers and Airmen of the Kansas National Guard volunteer their time to run stations and events for the campers, such as the Virtual Battle Simulator, a computer-based training system for infantry soldiers; the Engagement Skills Trainer, a rifle simulator that mimics a rifle range; and a football field full of inflatable playground.
"We just couldn't do it without our team of volunteer service members," said Jones. "They are a great team of dedicated people."
Other organizations donated time and resources as well. Kansas State University - Salina gave tours of their engineering and aeronautical training facilities, including a tour of the active flight line.
Deidra Stanley and her Australian Sheepdog, Ally Rose, came out from the Kansas Search and Rescue Dog Association to give a demonstration of how a search operation is conducted.
After a jam-packed day of events and educational trips, campers report to their open bay barracks for squad time.
"Squad time is my favorite,"said Justice Dunbar, age 12 of Eskridge, Kansas. "We hang out in the bay or sometimes go outside and play soccer. It's really fun."
"It's good for the kids to intermingle and play," said Air Force Master Sgt. Tina Perkins, a volunteer squad leader. "It encourages teamwork and networking."
Teamwork is a continuing theme throughout the week, finishing with a parade ground ceremony that displays the campers’ hard work and teambuilding as they march in formation and call cadence.
By the end of the week, the 89 campers had gained valuable insight into their parents’ Guard lives and built lasting friendships.
"This is my favorite summer camp," said Ann Hess, age 11 of Manhattan, Kansas. "I wish I could stay longer."
| Date Taken: | 05.28.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.28.2015 15:44 |
| Story ID: | 164830 |
| Location: | TOPEKA, KS, US |
| Hometown: | SALINA, KS, US |
| Web Views: | 32 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Guard youth forge lasting friendships at annual Kids Camp, by SSG Brandon Jacobs, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT