Camp

Ohio Military Kids – Camp Kelleys Island Registration Open NOW

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A 5-day and 4-night adventure on Kelleys Island. Activities include sailing, swimming, rafting, kayaking, volleyball, soccer, archery, lined dances, crafts, campfire, and more! We are so excited to annouce that our annual Teen and Youth Camps at Kelleys Island are now open for registration. Details are below:

 

Kelleys Island Teen Camp

Dates: Sunday, July 28 to Thursday, August 1

Location: Kelleys Island

Age: 12 – 15 years of age by the time of camp

Cost:

Ohio Army National Guard: $250
Department of Air Force (any component): $250
Any other branch/component: $500

Register: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9Mrfk6ys6iJ7sto

Deadline: 11:59 pm on Sunday, June 2, 2024

 

Kelleys Island Youth Camp

Dates: Sunday, August 4 to Thursday, August 8

Location: Kelleys Island

Age: 9 – 11 years of age by the time of camp

Cost:

Ohio Army National Guard: $250
Department of Air Force (any component): $250
Any other branch/component: $500

Register: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b9sfBJh9JFifwLY 

Deadline: 11:59 pm on Sunday, June 2, 2024

 

Any military family is eligible regardless of rank. Veteran’s children and families are eligible 12 months past date of separation. Any branch and component is welcome. Gold Star Families are eligible.

 

Military Youth Magazine – Submission Guidelines and Overview

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OMK is proud to announce our plans to publish a magazine written entirely by military-connected youth of Ohio and edited by members of our Ohio Military Teen Council.

Submissions will open on Friday, June 16th at 12:00am and will close on Wednesday, July 5th at 11:59pm.

Qualtrics submission link.

We encourage our military youth to brainstorm ideas for submissions and potential names for the magazine.

🟢 Themes & Content:

Written submissions:

  • In Relation to Military Life
    • Personal stories
    • Experiences
    • Reflections
    • Insights
    • Challenges
    • Resilience
    • Personal Growth
    • Overcoming Obstacles
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    • Physical Health
    • Self Help
  • Advice & Resources
  • The Impact of Camp

Illustrations, photos, comics, and other artwork:

  • Reflect the life or experiences of military-connected youth & families.
  • Demonstrate resilience
  • Show healthy habits
  • Bring joy

🔵 Submission Guidelines:

General Guidelines:

  • Age Eligibility: Submissions are open to military-connected youth and young adults.
  • Original Work: All submissions must be original.
  • Proofreading: Double-check your work for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors before submitting.
  • Multiple Submissions: You may submit multiple pieces across different categories (articles, photography, illustrations, and poetry). Please complete the submission survey once for each piece.
  • Submission Format: Submit all entries electronically in the appropriate file format (Word document, JPEG/PNG for images, and PNG/vector for illustrations).

📝 Articles, Personal Essays, Reflections, and Short Stories:

  • Length: Approximately 200 – 2,500 words.
  • Formatting: Break up text with headings as needed.
  • Accompanying Photos: Original photos may be submitted to accompany your writing. Follow Photos guidelines below.
  • Submission: Upload as a Microsoft Word document.

🎤 Poetry:

  • Length: Poem length can vary, but we recommend between 10 and 30 lines.
  • Submission: Upload as a Microsoft Word document.

🎨 Illustrations/Artwork:

  • Consent: If the artwork(s) contain recognizable individuals, make sure you obtain written consent for that photo to be published and shared publicly.
  • Submission: Submit digital files as PNG or in vector formats (.AI, .SVG).

🖌️ Comics / Graphic Novels:

  • Submission: Submit digital files as .JPEG, .PNG, or .PDF.

📸 Photos:

  • Consent: If the photo(s) contain recognizable individuals, make sure you obtain written consent for that photo to be published and shared publicly.
  • Submission: Submit photos as .JPEG or .PNG files.

We look forward to receiving your submissions and showcasing the talent, stories, and perspectives of military youth!

Marching Towards Success: National and Local Resources for Military Families

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Ohio Military Kids believes in helping our military youth to grow & succeed by providing them with any available resources. We know that military life can be challenging, and that is why we are committed to supporting the families and youth of those who have served our country. In this post, we’ll highlight three programs that are working to support military families: The National Military Family Association, Purdue University’s Military Teen Adventure Camps, and the six Troop and Family Assistance Centers throughout the state.

 

Continue reading Marching Towards Success: National and Local Resources for Military Families →

Meet the Team: Theresa Ferrari

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This month, dive in and get to know Theresa! Theresa has worked with OMK for 17 years and is a huge advocate for healthy living. Meet the master of the smoothie  bike – Theresa Ferrari.

 

What is your role with OMK?

I’m the overall project director for OMK.

 

How long have you been involved with OMK?

I have been involved with OMK since the start – our first camp was in 2005.

 

What does a day of work look like for you?

There are no two days that are exactly the same for me, which keeps life interesting. These days, I might be working at home or in person, on campus or out and about. I’m a faculty member at OSU, so I’m involved with more than OMK. I spend my time meeting with people – it could be graduate students working on their research or committees of co-workers working on a project. I also spend time on my own, reading, writing, or preparing for presentations. Some days it’s big picture stuff, other days lots of nitty-gritty details.

 

Do you have a military connection?

My dad was in the Army Air Corps in WWII and later in the Army Reserve. But that was before I was born. I’m old, but not that old.

 

What is one of your favorite camp memories?

After so many years, it’s hard to pick just one favorite camp memory. Overall, my favorite part is seeing campers having fun and coming back year after year. And then seeing campers come back as camp counselors. I remember one time when campers had just arrived on the island, and everyone was waiting around on the dock to get to camp. Without being told to do so, a first-year counselor stepped up and engaged the group in singing camp songs. Those are happy moments for a camp director.

 

How do you hope to make the program even better?

I think the best thing I could do at this point in my career is to ensure that OMK is sustainable when I’m not around.

2023 Camp Dates

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OMK is excited to announce that our 2023 camp dates are now available! We can’t wait to provide another unforgettable summer camp experience for military-connected youth & families.
Please note that registration for these camps is expected to go live in July. Keep an eye on go.osu.edu/OMKEvents for more information and to register when it becomes available.
Our camps are a great opportunity for military kids to make new friends, build resiliency skills, and have fun in a safe and supportive environment. We hope to see you there!