 Operation Home Front, Sysco Foods, and Georgia Military Family Readiness Specialists teamed up to bring Holiday Meals to qualified Military personnel in Regions 7 & 8 of the state. Staff and volunteers hosted the Holiday Meal Event at Oglethorpe Armory in Ellenwood, GA from 10am – 1pm on Saturday, November 23rd. Participants were able to ‘drive-through’ multiple stations to get everything they needed to host a holiday dinner. Sponsors included Sysco Foods, who donated over 100 turkeys, Proctor and Gamble, Goldyn Networks, The VFW, Boys Scouts, and the National Charity League. Operation Home Front, Carnival Cruise Lines, Sysco, and the VFW also boasted over 35 volunteers for the event. Staff members on site from the Family Programs Branch included Military Family Readiness Specialists, Youth Programs, Work for Warriors, Transition Assistance, and Military One Source.
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 The Georgia National Guard Youth Program held the yearly State Youth Symposium at the Jekyll Island 4H Center right on the North Atlantic Ocean's coast in Jekyll Island, GA.
Over 40 participants enjoyed activities like enjoying the Splash in the Boro Waterpark and doing a "Beach Ecology" session with 4H on the coast. This year's beach task included participants building the highest and most sturdy sand-dunes before the high tide came in wash them out. The team with the most sturdy dune won.
The Symposium was filled with classes and workshops including topics like Budgeting, Leadership & MRT Trainings, Social Media, Goal Setting, and Healthy Eating. "Say it With Music" hosted the Keynote Speaker Session which was informative and also included a fun team competition for both youth and adults.
Our evenings ended with group networking and discussions surrounding current issues, and, future events and activities for our State Youth Council teen panel. The 2024 Georgia National Guard Youth Program, in partnership with First Lego League and Atom Robotics, hosted a robotics camp from Monday, July 22nd to Thursday, July 25th at the Oglethorpe Armory in Ellenwood, GA. In this time, campers were split into two teams that had to build a robot, code, and strategize their way through up to 15 possible Lego challenges.
Campers, ages 5-12 years old, had only 4-days to compete in a 3-minute competition that usually takes teams MONTHS to prepare for. Not only did each team complete multiple challenges, they also both earned a substantial amount of points in competition. The 1st place team pulled ahead by just a 5-point margin in the last 2 seconds of competition, leading to a thrilling finish in front of parents and staff. All participants received certificates and superlatives for their amazing teamwork and for displaying the Lego League's "Core Values" throughout camp and the competition. See more awesome photos from camp below: 
 Savannah Youth Camp was held at the Eisenhower Armory from July 8th - 11th. Campers enjoyed a wide variety of experiential learning opportunities with other #MilKids from across the state.Telfair Museum Tour + Art ProjectSavannah Youth Camp teamed up with the Telfair Museum in Savannah. Telfair staff hosted a crafting activity where youth participants made their own 'Lantern Art'. This art would mimic one of the main pieces displayed at the museum, which participants viewed first-hand during their personal tour.
The lantern piece was not the only feature of the Museum as there were many interactive elements for our young participants! After the tour campers got to eat lunch on the beautiful Telfair Square lawn.
Drones with Starbase Warner Robbins
Campers Learn HorticultureCampers earned their "Green-Thumb" planting various flowers and fruit plants. Campers were able to decorate their own pots and research the various care methods for a wide variety of plants.
 Explore Music with Trolls 2 the MovieCampers were able to enjoy a movie at the local NCG Cinema in Savannah for their 'Summer Movie Series'. Campers each got snack packs and were able to lounge in their reclinable seats. Trolls 2 was a fun movie that offered a wide variety of musical medleys. Campers Visit UGA Marine Education Center & AquariumCampers visited the UGA Aquarium which showcased marine life local to South Georgia. The aquarium also featured an interactive experience where campers learned proper handling techniques for various species.
Hike at the Jay Wolf Nature Trail
The Georgia National Guard Youth Program Staff, State Youth Council Members, and Volunteers were busy during April for the Month of the Military Child! Find out more about these wonderful events below: April 2nd: Book Club Zoom Meeting
April 3rd: Financial Literacy Club
April 4th: Columbus Month of the Military Child EventThe Georgia National Guard Staff, Volunteers, and State Youth Council Members attended the Columbus Month of the Military Child Event on April 4th hosted by the State and Family Readiness Region 10 team at the Columbus Public Library. The Youth Program displayed a resource table with free books and toys... as well as hosting interactive games and activities for #MilKids to take part in throughout the event.
April 12th: Month of the Military Child Purple Up Day
April 13th: MOMC Book Fair and FestivalThe State and Family Readiness Region 7 and Region 8 locations hosted the Month of the Military Child Book Club and Festival at Oglethorpe Armory on Saturday, April 13th. Vendors handed out resources, Girl Scout Cookies, free books, and toys! The event also featured activities including a live DJ, a Month of the Military Child mural painting, a Read-A-Loud, and a Community Book House Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
Military kids, parents, youth program staff and volunteers paint the 2024 'Military Kids are Out of This World' Mural, sponsored by Foundation for Hospital Art.
April 20th: Fort Stewart Resource FairThe Georgia National Guard Youth Program attended a resource fair at Fort Stewart bringing information, books, and prizes to soldiers and their families.
April 26th-28th: NGAGA State Conference Hosted by the National GuardThe Georgia National Guard Youth Program supported the NGAGA State Conference by hosting a variety of activities for youth participants while parents enjoyed the conference.  The Georgia National Guard Youth Program completed their week-long summer film camp on Thursday that turned #MilitaryKids into writers, actors, and producers of their own short film.  On Saturday April 22, 2023, State Youth Council member, Kaylyn Braun and Youth Program Director, Mark Richards were guest speakers at the Georgia Federation of Women’s Club Conference for Month of the Military Child. State Youth Council member Kaylyn Braun spoke about the unique challenges faced by military youth during the deployment cycle and the youth program resources that help to build resiliency. Youth Director, Mark Richards, spoke to members of this organization about commitment to service and the importance of recognizing the sacrifices made by military youth and the importance of community support of military youth and their families.
  On Sunday April 16, 2023, The Georgia National Guard Youth Program provided support for the HHC 878th the A/878FSC and the 877 ECC’s Annual Briefing and MOMC event, facilitated by Region 6 State and Family Support Specialist, Shavarr Quinn. Ms. Quinn coordinated fun activities and games for the youth and their families that included a Jump Rope and Hoola-Hoop Challenge, Corn Hole Toss contest and family games for all. Youth Program Director, Mark Richards, engaged service members and their families in teambuilding activities that demonstrated the types of youth development activities facilitated by youth programs which foster connections and strengthens relationships. Service members and their families were also briefed on the resources and support available to them through youth programs and were given access to these resources. Summer programming was emphasized for all service members and camp schedule shared with links for registration.  The Georgia National Guard Youth Program teamed up with State and Family Support Specialists Shelley Williams (Region 7) and Kristina Cromer (Region 8) to host a Film Camp for dependents of GA National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and DOD Employees... as well as other Military Affiliated youth in honor of the Month of the Military Child. Camp instruction was led by local actor Tommy O'Brien, who brought his wealth of knowledge from being in over 100 big and small screen productions, to coach acting techniques, behind the scenes etiquette, and allowed campers to star in their own improv production. The Georgia National Guard Youth Program will host it's own four-day Film Camp this summer from July 24th - July 27th. Campers can sign-up here: https://forms.zohopublic.com/workforwarriorsga/form/2023FilmCamp/formperma/ZhsLv9Tu6xokwLiefcnIvoLd6eEIQixw_yHaJ2FGZoA or check out all of our great upcoming summer events by clicking on the events tab on this website. Youth Program Supports State Family Readiness Month of the MIlitary Child Event in Savannah, GA4/10/2023  The Georgia National Guard Youth Team and Volunteers supported the State and Family Readiness Month of the Military Child Event in Savannah, GA. The event, hosted by State and Family Readiness staff Jennifer Steele and Tinie Stringfield... featured a variety of sponsors, vendors, and activities for Military Youth to enjoy. One feature of the event included #MilKid Daryl A Rejas, who wrote and previewed his new book 'Panda's Twinkle Toe's'. Georgia 4H, Georgia Southern University, and Vernon Donovan of State Farm were amongst other volunteers and vendors who participated in the event. See some of the fun photos taken at the event in the slideshow below: |
MissionThe mission of Georgia National Guard State Youth Program is to prepare Georgia #MilKids for success in a dynamic global society by providing leadership responsive to the unique needs of our military youth. Archives
November 2024
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