Fall 2012 

Contact the Youth

Programs Coordinator,

Laura Groeneweg 

612-327- 4730

or email

Contact the Minnesota Operation: Military Kids Program Specialist,

Amber Runke

612-624-8198

or email

Or, find information about the Teen Panel here

We're on Facebook!

Be sure to visit the Minnesota Military Teen Panel on Facebook!

Military Affiliation

Ashlyn's dad is a first sergeant in the Army Reserve and was deployed for one year to Afghanistan. He has been in the Army for 27 years. 

Why She Joined the Teen Panel

Ashlyn's brother, Zach, joined the Teen Panel last year. Zach told her it was really fun and he learned a lot. Ashlyn then went to the 2012 Teen Summit and had a blast. She liked that the Teen Panel members got to plan the summit and voice their opinions on what they wanted to do. Additionally, Ashlyn wanted to join to connect with other teens who have a military connection and understand what it's like to have a parent serve. 

Her Unique Attribute

Ashlyn plays lacrosse and soccer and sings in the Belle Chanter Choir.

Military Affiliation

Mitchell's dad is a first lieutenant in the Army National Guard. 

Why He Joined the Teen Panel

Mitchell joined after participating in the Teen Summit and having a really good time during the summit. He wants to plan and organize future summits and meet other teens with common interests. 

His Unique Attribute

Sports, work and spanish club.

Aeropostale-10% off

Bass Pro Shops - 10% off on

military discount days

Busch Gardens - free admission

Chevys - 50% off

Converse Shoes- 10% off

Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of

America - $10 off an unlimited-ride wristband

Underwater Adventures Aquarium 

at the Mall of America - $3 off admission

Nike - 10% off

Applebees - discount varies      Arby's - discount varies     

Foot Locker - 20% off

Verizon - 23% off monthly

bills.     

Suzuki- $500 off      

Toyota-$500 off plus an additional

$500 off for first time buyers.

Be sure to present military identification when using a military discount!

And don't forget to check Beyond the Yellow Ribbon's "Special Offers" page for more ongoing deals!

After 104 days of summer vacation, the new school year has arrived! We hope all of our military families and friends had an exceptional summer.

During the Minnesota Military Teen Panel's last meeting, we came up with some new topics and informational pieces that we thought would be beneficial not only for us, but for you as well.

Additionally, we just welcomed 13 teens to the panel - instead of the usual eight - and will introduce all of them throughout the year.

We hope you enjoy our newsletter and have a great start to the 2012-13 school year! 

- Minnesota Military Teen Panel

In June, The Minnesota Military Teen Panel put on their second annual Minnesota Military Teen Summit!

This year, 31 teens participated - which was a larger showing than we had the first year! We hope to gain more and more teens each year, and hopefully see 50 or more soon.

Once again the Teen Summit proved to be a great way for military-connected teens to meet. During this year's summit, we participated in military-related workshops and completed a community service project that consisted of making tie blankets for the VA. On our last night, we all went indoor roller skating.

It was good to see everything that we spent an entire year planning for actually happen, and it turned out great! We hope next year is even better, and we hope to see you there!

- Story by Alivia Rardin & Skyra Schwab, Minnesota Military Teen Panel

This summer I had the chance to go to the Military Teen Camp at Camp Ripley. While there, I got to meet so many amazing people who became almost like family to me.

During the week-long camp, we participated in activities like repelling, canoeing and getting down at the end of camp dance! We also went to the beach, museum and got to experience the shooting simulator! My favorite part was either going to the beach or the dance.

At the beach we had chicken fights and got to just hang out with our friends. The dance was so much fun because everyone was so energetic and happy!

We had a boy from Costa Rica named Jose attend the camp, but everyone called him Fez. That was really cool because we weren't just getting to know people from all over Minnesota, but from Costa Rica too!

The first night, we got together with the Youth Camp counselors and went to their camp fire, but otherwise every night we had our own camp fire. We woke up every morning at six, ate breakfast and went to the flag ceremony. We had a lot of downtime so we could just hang out with everyone in the Teen Camp, which was cool!

I'd definitely recommend everyone to go. It was the experience of a lifetime.

- Gabbi Kringstad, Minnesota Military Teen Panel

This year four teens from the Teen Panel went to Alaska for the Great Alaska Road Trip.

We started off our trip with a barbeque so everyone in the different groups could meet one another. There were groups from Alaska, North Carolina, Arizona, Minnesota and others as well!

We went to a Sea Life Center where we saw sea lions and aquatic birds. We also felt some starfish and sea anemone. We were given the opportunity to explore the extreme terrain - we even hiked to a glacier!

Then we went on a whale watching expedition where we watched orcas along with humpback whales, porpoises and a sea otters. We also went to a wildlife refuge center where we saw Walter and Ham, two adorable young muskox calves. The refuge center also held a wood bison, which were once thought to be extinct.

It was a little chilly in Alaska, but tolerable. Also, it was always light out! No matter what time of day or night it was, there was always light outside.

We made some incredible friends that will last a lifetime. It was a one-of-a-kind experience that we will never forget!

 - Story by Kiana Kelii, Megan Schmidt and Mitch Howe, Minnesota Military Teen Panel

As the 2012-13 school year begins, it may be helpful for teens to look online for support and help during the year.

One website that can be helpful with school work is Tutor.com. At Tutor.com, users can get professional online help whenever it is needed and total support until the problem is complete.

The website is free for students in Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard and Reserve families. Tutors are online 24/7 to provide help in more than 16 subjects and available through various mobile electronic devices.

Military Appreciation Day at the State Fair was a day to recognize all Servicemembers and their families. During the one-day event, organizations that support those connected with the military were given the opportunity to set up and share information on how they offer support.

The Minnesota Military Teen Panel members participated in Military Appreciation Day by setting up their own booth and passing out flyers. Members of the Teen Panel also provided facepainting.

This year's Military Appreciation Day was one of the busiest days of the State Fair. If you didn't make it this year, make sure to stop by next year! We can't wait to see you there!