Summer Camp - Military Families youth programs
These camps are grant funded and are offered for children of Maine military families.
Camp Goals:
- to promote leadership and team building among participants
- to promote sustainable outdoor education and conservation
- to encourage a connection to our natural resources and support healthy outdoor experiences
- to encourage service learning experiences and commitment to civic engagement
- to increase the ability of students in use of new technology such as GIS/GPS, digital media, mapping, etc
How will this camp advance the state/national OMK goals?
The Bryant Pond 4-H Camps will work in partnership with OMK to meet the needs of youth who have deployed parents in active service, or who will deploy. Bryant Pond camps will support these youth through team leadership experiences, connection to others for support and encouragement, and through active service learning partnerships connecting youth to the community. The camp and learning center will also support families through opportunities to explore their programs as a family unit. Partnership goals to support military families regionally can easily be combined with OMK programs and other supporting educational opportunities for families.
What life skills will be targeted? How will these skills support military youth through deployment?
The 4-H Targeting Life Skills program is a focus of Bryant Pond’s environmental leadership and experiential programs. Emphasis is on service and leadership skills, building communication, listening skills, conflict resolution, and trust building. Their team building program, which utilizes low and high ropes courses, is designed to focus individuals and groups on 4-H Life skills. These skills help young people to learn and grow within a safe and supportive environment.
What curriculum will be used to support or teach the development of the targeted life skills?
Bryant Pond 4-H focuses its team building and life skills programs on the following:
- 4-H Targeting Life Skills
- S.M.A.R.T. Goals
- Success for Teens: using the Slight Edge
- Innovation Center; Youth and Adult Partnership Model
- 4-H Social Capital Model of Service
- National Innovation Center Service Learning Web Curriculum
What OMK core elements will be incorporated into this camp?
- Team building and appreciation for differences
- Promote understanding of others
- Team survival and life skills
- Group process and goal setting
- Teen and family life skills
- Partnerships with all military branches and OMK
- National Guard representation on Bryant Pond board supports programs
- Hero Pack activity, SOMK, MTL activities
