Registration Open – 2024 Family Camps

We’re happy to announce that the registration for our Family Camps is now open! A 3-day, 2 night weekend event for military-connected families. Each family will have their own cabin and will be able to participate in scheduled activities and events together through the weekend. Here are the upcoming dates:

Central Ohio Fall Family Camp #1 August 23 to August 25

Location: 4-H Camp Ohio

Age: Any age

Cost (per person):

  • Ohio Army National Guard: $60
  • Any other branch/component: $100
  • 0 to 5 year olds are FREE

 

Northern Ohio Fall Family Camp September 13 to September 15

Location: Kelleys Island

Age: Any age

Cost (per person):

  • Ohio Army National Guard: $60
  • Any other branch/component: $100
  • 0 to 5 year olds are FREE

 

Central Ohio Fall Family Camp #2 September 27 to September 29

Location: 4-H Camp Ohio

Age: Any age

Cost (per person):

  • Ohio Army National Guard: $60
  • Any other branch/component: $100
  • 0 to 5 year olds are FREE

 

The deadline to register for the 2024 Family Camps is 11:59 pm on Sunday, July 14, 2024. You can find more information and registration at go.osu.edu/OMKEvents

Marching Towards Success: National and Local Resources for Military Families

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

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

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!