Fort Campbell’s Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation is going all out in April with Month of the Military Child events.
In 1986, then-Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger established April as Month of the Military Child, a special time set aside to recognize the sacrifices made by the youngest members of the Army Family. The Army did not choose them, yet they serve just the same.
“Military children have a unique perspective, they are particularly resilient because unlike their civilian counterparts they know that mom or dad might not come home,” said Michelle Durgin, Child and Youth Services coordinator, who is the child of a career Soldier.
CELEBRATING OUR CHILDREN
The fun begins with Pool of Rock 6-8 p.m. April 5 at Gardner Indoor Pool, 2191 Kentucky Ave. Come early, because the first 100 children are admitted free. Admission thereafter is $3 for ID cardholders, and $5 for everyone else. Participants are encouraged to come dressed in their best 1980s wear for a splashing good time complete with the movie “School of Rock” projected on to the floating big screen, Durgin said.
Month of the Military Child festivities officially begin 9 a.m. April 6 in the parking lot of Shaw Physical Fitness Center, 7979 California Road. Everyone is encouraged to arrive dressed as their favorite storybook characters for the Storybook Sprint 5K and 1-mile fun run.
“We will have [storybook] characters out there,” Durgin said. “And we will do a proclamation signing with a member of the garrison command team.”
Families are encouraged to participate together. Although strollers are permitted, they may be difficult to maneuver over the gravel trails. The furry members of the Family are also invited to participate, as long as they are wearing leashes. For more information, call 270-461-2294.
The 101st Airborne Division Band will make things festive as the staff of the Robert F. Sink Memorial Library, 38 Screaming Eagle Blvd., joins the celebration 11 a.m.-1 p.m. April 10, which happens to also fall right in the middle of National Library Week.
The library also will host a STEM night complete with 3D printing 6 p.m. April 9, as well as story and craft time 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Thursdays throughout April.
Guenette Arts and Crafts Center, 89 Screaming Eagle Blvd., will host a month’s worth of activities that include Canvas and Cookies on April 13, an April 18 clay workshop, followed by canvas painting for teens on April 24 and for children on April 27. Visit https://campbell.armymwr.com/programs/arts-and-crafts for the complete arts and crafts calendar.
Outdoor Recreation, 6621-K 11th Airborne Division Road, will host open climb days 5-8 p.m. every Thursday in April. Cost is $5 for children ages 3-17 and $10 for adults.
For those who enjoy watching wrestling, Tried & True Pro and Impact Wrestling is bringing its live show to Shaw PFC April 12. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the event begins at 6. Although this is a free event, it is ticketed because there is limited seating. Only those with a ticket will be admitted. Tickets will be available at Taylor Youth Center, Parent Central Services and Shaw PFC beginning April 1 and Leisure Travel Services on April 2.
Children ages 7-17 will be provided a free golf lesson 9 a.m.-noon April 13 during “Hook a Kid on Golf” at Cole Park Commons Golf Course, 1610 101st Airborne Division Road. No need for golf clubs, the equipment will be provided.
Everyone bowls for free during “Strike Up Some Fun” 4-7 p.m. April 16 at Hooper Bowling Center, 5380 Tennessee Ave. Shoe rental is $2.75 for anyone 18 or older. The event will feature a pizza buffet that includes drinks at a cost of $5 per child up to age 12 and $7.75 for anyone 13 and older.
Enjoy a free CYS Movie Day 2 p.m. April 20 at Wilson Theater, 93 Michigan Ave. Come early as space is limited to 600 people.
Children in sixth through 12th grades can communicate virtually via Skype with their peers at Millington, Tennessee, and Fort Knox, Kentucky, during the Operation Megaphone Lock-In April 26 at Taylor Youth Center, 80 Texas Ave.
Robyn Gordon, anti-bullying Ambassador for the Month of the Military Child at Fort Campbell, will talk with the youth about her campaign to prevent bullying.
Participants must be registered with CYS to take part in the event.
Operation Megaphone is an annual event that connects teens in military youth programs worldwide, providing them an opportunity to collaborate and discuss common issues impacting them as children of active-duty service members.
Fort Campbell’s Operation Megaphone includes resiliency training at 7 p.m., dinner at 8 p.m., a Youth Advisory Council meeting at 9 p.m. followed by fun activities like glow ball, and then skyping with Millington and Fort Knox youth at 11 p.m.
The monthlong celebration ends 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 27 with Kidsfest at South Sports Complex, 5514 Wickham Ave. The free event features inflatables, face painting and a DJ who will provide the musical entertainment.
“Kidsfest is a great opportunity to bring out the Family,” Durgin said. “There will also be an antibullying ambassador, and SKIESUnlimited demonstrations.”
Get in the spirit of Month of the Military Child during Spirit Week that began April 1. Everyone is encouraged to wear something special to express their support for military children.
“Maybe you can’t get out to an event or you don’t have kids, but you want to show your support,” Durgin said.
April 1 is Month of the Military Child T-shirt Day, wear your favorite team jersey on April 2, it is Wacky Wednesday on April 3, followed by Pajama Day on April 4 and closing out April 5 with Decades Day. April 19 is Purple Up for Military Kids Day during which everyone can show their support for military children by wearing purple. Participants are encouraged to document their support, take a picture and post it on social media with the hashtag #FTCMOMCSPIRIT.