Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Leticia Samuels | Campers play a reflection game at the Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Educational Youth Center...... read more read more
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REIDSVILLE, N.C. – The smell of fresh air and campers chanting can be heard at the 225 acre Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Educational Youth Center that hosted 65 children between the ages of 8 and 13 through their third annual youth camp offered to children of North Carolina National Guard members free of charge here, July 24, 2015.
“Programs like this make being in the National Guard a little better, knowing that they care about your family and they care about the kids,” said Staff Sgt. Natasha Rice, 1452nd Combat Heavy Equipment Transporter Company squad leader. “It helps bring a positive image to the National Guard.”
This experience allows children that have parents in the Guard to build ties with other children that battle similar problems youth in the Guard face concerning deployments, extended periods of time away from home and excessive moving.
“I think the kids networking with each other and developing
those friendships are essential for their well-being and the challenges they face through being a National Guard child,” said Alice Dean, NCNG Lead Child & Youth Program Coordinator. “I think it’s real important that they don’t feel alone, that they feel like there are others like them.
The 51 year old program gives children exposure to archery, horseback riding, swimming, canoeing, high ropes/climbing wall, beaver hikes, arts/crafts and other fun activities. They also participate in a bullying prevention and resiliency workshops similar to what Guard members receive.
“My grandfather brought the first group of campers here in 1964, so I am the third generation working here, said Zach Fox, archery instructor. I love it, it’s a great gig. I get to watch them grow up, you get to help them mature a little bit and have a positive influence.”
The 225 acres of land provides an outlet for children to be able to have fun, allowing themselves to be challenged, become educated about wildlife, stay away from the electronic world for a week and channel their energy in a constructive way.
“I think it helps with independence, Michael [Kimberly’s son] has post-traumatic stress disorder, so it helps him to be around other people,” said Kimberly Howard, wife of Michael Howard assigned to the 139th Regiment Training Institute.
Campers receive specific awards that describe their personalities from their youth instructors during the final gathering on the last day of camp. Parents also watch a slideshow of their children doing activities and were excited to be reunited with their children after the week-long experience.
“I think this is a great program and a great opportunity for our kids especially her learning to take care of herself and having a little bit of independence,” said Sgt. 1st Class Kristian Hall, Joint Force Headquarters Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. “As Mom and Dad, we were a little nervous, first time we have been away from her, missed her a lot but we were excited for her.”
| Date Taken: | 07.24.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 07.29.2015 09:57 |
| Story ID: | 171407 |
| Location: | NC, US |
| Web Views: | 65 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, NCNG: Youth gaining independence, by SFC Leticia Samuels, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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