 |
EVENT UPDATES
Check out the fun we are having this summer! Registration links are in the top right column.
STATE YOUTH SYMPOSIUM
DATE & LOCATION CHANGE
The Oregon National Guard Child & Youth Program is excited to announce details for the 2014 State Youth Symposium! This years event will be September 26-28 and location will be in the Central Oregon area. Final location announcement is still pending contract approval. This event is a weekend dedicated to military connected youths ages 13 - 18 and will involve a giant scavenger hunt, challenge games, group activities and more! This is a unique FREE opportunity for military connected teens. A Parent/Guardian must stay with participant in hotel and is responsible for participant during non-program time. Participants will be placed on individual travel orders, reimbursing mileage, covering lodging and all meals for youth participants. There is limited space available so register today!
SATURDAY SOAR CHALLENGE DAY FOR HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMAN & SOPHOMORES This event has been cancelled. |
 |
|
Toddlers and TV
Article Courtesy of WhatToExpect.com
When the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended that children younger than two avoid watching TV and DVDs, and that children two and older seriously cut back their screen time, a collective shudder went through households across the country. What would parents do without a little respite during the day to take a shower, unload the dishwasher, or take some just for parent time while the kids sat calmly on the sofa absorbed in Big Bird?
 After all, watching Sesame Street is a tradition most parents fondly remember from their own childhoods, when they were the ones mesmerized by Big Bird while their frazzled parents enjoyed an hour of peace. But a generation ago, all kids programming was educational, commercial-free, and limited - once the program was over, there was nothing else kid-friendly on, so either the set went off or the kids wandered away. Now, there are whole cable channels devoted to children's programming (a term that includes anything from cartoons to sitcoms) that show kid fare 24/7, are usually riddled with product placements and advertisements (often for junk food), and have dubious educational value. And that's just toddlers and TV! These days there are also entire DVD empires for the tiniest viewers of all - often with the claim that watching will make babies as young as six months smarter.
Whether a DVD or TV show has any educational value is unclear (though one study found that babies who watch learning DVDs don't learn words more quickly than babies who don't watch those videos). But the AAP does know that encouraging independent play is way more beneficial to toddler learning than anything your sweetie will see on screen. And what is becoming clear when it comes to toddlers and TV is that there are serious consequences to excessive screen time. Some research shows that too much TV is linked with childhood obesity, aggressive behavior, decreased intellectual and social development (including language development), lessened imagination and creativity, and weaker family ties.
Click Here to Read the Full Article
|
|
|
Family Member Satisfaction Survey for Child & Youth Program Services
Dear Military Family Member,
As part of the contract under which the National Guard Child and Youth Program operates, we have been asked to survey Families who have utilized Child and Youth Program resources and services from the period of 1 June 2013 to present. The purpose of this survey is to gather valuable information related to current strengths of the program as well as areas where continued development could be targeted for improvement. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure the state/territory Child and Youth Program is adequately meeting the needs of our military-connected population.
We invite you to take a few minutes (10-15) to complete the Family Member Satisfaction Survey online. You may do this by clicking on the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2014CYSS-Family-Survey. Information gathered from this survey is completely anonymous and will only be used to improve services provided by the Child and Youth Program at the state/territory and national levels. If you are unable to complete the survey online, please click here for a PDF version of the survey. Please mail or email the PDF version of the survey to
ATTN: Ms. Erin Berry
Eastern Region Assistant Program Manager
434 Chase Road
Columbus, OH 43214
or erin.berry@cog-ps.com
Deadline for completion and submission of Family Member Satisfaction Surveys is 11 August 2014. Should you have any questions regarding the information contained in this email, please feel free to contact your Lead Child and Youth Program Coordinator for further information.
 Thank you for your participation! |
|
|
Teen2Teen:
Your ORMTP Connection
|
|
 Local Resource Highlights:
Bend
By Chelsea
In honor of the summer months, here are some activities to get you up and going!
Lava River Cave 
Explore a mile long lava tube! It's not only cool (average temp of 42 degrees), but you'll be able to see bats and other wildlife that reside in the cave, as well as getting plenty of exercise! It takes approximately 1.5 hours to tour the entire cave.
La Pine State Park 
La Pine State Park has beautiful mountain lakes to explore, along with a river--nearby, an area is very well known for the fly-fishing abilities there! It will be a great place to become one with nature, with plenty of hiking areas that will get your heart pumping! Home to the largest Ponderosa tree. Nicknamed "Big Red," the tree is 162' tall, 28.9' around and may be in excess of 500 years old!
High Desert Museum
See captive wildlife up close such as bobcats and porcupines! Talk to characters who tell about early Oregon exploration. Watch many different types of birds fly nearby, as well as learning about Native American history. The signature summer program features hawks, owls, falcons and even a vulture flying close enough to raise the hair on your heads! Don't miss the Raptors of the Desert Sky! 
|
|
|
Family Activity Time:
Happy 239th Birthday to the United States Army
Click here to view the original article and to download the book.
In celebration of the Army's 239th birthday, the Army announced today the release of a children's electronic book titled, "Happy Birthday U.S. Army!" which is now available online.
 The "Happy Birthday U.S. Army!" book is the fourth children's book written by Mary Ellen Pratt and co-written by Donna M. McGrath, both employees of Army Child, Youth and School Services. Pratt explains that their intent was to develop a book to help children better understand the importance of what their parents do in the Army and what it means to be a part of the Army Family.
The newly designed book includes all new bright, colorful illustrations that bring the characters to life and tells the Army history through the eyes of a child.
"We're really excited that we can now reach more children, especially those located outside of a garrison. They'll be able to access the eBook and learn about the Army's rich history," said Pratt. "We live in a visual society. We knew that if we wanted children to pick up the book and keep their attention, then we'd have to create pictures that children can connect with."
Cara Embry, the illustrator of the eBook said that her goal was to make the illustrations fun, contemporary and fresh, similar to what you might see in a television show for kids.
"The idea was to create a children's book that made the characters appear to be stickers, because children love that they are bright and whimsical," she explained.
While the books are aimed primarily for children, the intent is for the entire family to get involved and use the book as an opportunity to learn and talk about their parent's role in the Army community. Both Pratt and McGrath believe that it is important to recognize that our Soldiers are moms and dads, and hope that Army Families will take advantage of the online version to read it to their children.
|
|
|
June is National Fire Works Safety Month
Summer means picnics, barbecues, parades and fireworks displays, especially around the 4th of July. Summer also means an increase in injuries from backyard grills, bonfires and fireworks. In 2011, an estimated 9,600 people were treated in emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries, 36 percent of whom were under 15 years old.
Children between the ages of 10 and 14 were at three times the risk of fireworks injuries than the general population. About a third of the injuries were from small  firecrackers, 21 percent from bottle rockets and 20 percent from sparklers. In 2010, fireworks caused $36 million in direct property damage.
The National Safety Council advises that the best way to safely enjoy this 4th of July is to watch a public fireworks display conducted by professionals.
However, if fireworks are legal where you live and you decide to use them, be sure to follow these important safety tips:
- Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
- Older children should use fireworks only under close adult supervision.
- Light fireworks outdoors in a clear area away from onlookers, houses and flammable materials.
- Light one device at a time; maintain a safe distance after lighting.
- Do not allow any running or horseplay while fireworks are being used.
- Never ignite devices in a container.
- Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks; douse and soak them with water and discard them safely.
- Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don't go off or in case of fire.
|
|
|
|
|
Congratulations to the Class of 2014!!!
We are so proud of all of your hard work and we can't wait to see what you do next!
|
FREE & DISCOUNTED EVENTS FOR MILITARY FAMILIES!
There are many organizations offering special discounts and free admission to events. We could not include all of them in our newsletter this time! Find them all on our Facebook Page.
|
Upcoming Events!
Click the event name to view the flier and registration link.
July 4 or 5, 2014
Patriotic Days with the Volcanoes at Keizer Stadium
July 18, 2014
August 4, 2014
September 26-28, 2014
|
Oregon National Guard Child & Youth Program
Oregon Military
Teen Panel
|
 Oregon National GuardChild & Youth Program3225 State Street Salem, OR 97309 503-584-2389 cyp@oregonbtyr.orgOregon Military Teen Panel ormtp@oregonbtyr.org Your Child & Youth Staff
 (L-R, Kristin, Sarah, Amy)
Amy ConroyLead, CYP Coordinator 503-584-2346 or 503-602-9021 Sarah JohnsonCYP Coordinator 503-584-2390 or 503-530-9094 Kristin MarquardtYouth Outreach Program Coord. 503-584-2394 or 503-569-6670 All staff are contractors
|
|
|
|
|
Make a Difference In Your Community!
Did you know there are more than 10,000 military connected children and youth throughout the state of Oregon and only three Child & Youth program staff? Our staff is constantly working to bring new events and support programs to all of our youth however we can't be everywhere and we need your help! With volunteers support we could operate more events, start military clubs and get our message out to our communities better. We have volunteer opportunities in all shapes and sizes and we are always willing to work with you to help you find a program or event that helps you make the impact you want to support our military connected children. For more information on volunteer positions email cyp@oregonbtyr.org.
Volunteer Opportunities:
July 30
Volunteer 101 Workshop
Bend, OR
This interactive workshop is designed to convey the vision, values and goals of the Child & Youth Program and prepare you to work with military children and youth. You will learn the mission and goals of the Child & Youth Program, how we build resilient families, information on current programs and resources available to military families as well as important safety information for when working with youth. Click here to register for this workshop.
|
|
|
|
Resource Highlight:
Tutor.com Brain Fit
Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families understands the need for students to have fun over the summer! We also listened to parents who told us they want ways to keep their children's brains active during the break so they don't fall behind or lose motivation. With these things in mind, our military team has worked with our awesome tutors to create some fun activities that can be used to help keep the brain fit and prevent the summer slide. Activities include:
The Activities Book:
Here are six fun activities that challenge students to use math, science and English in new and different ways, like building a space station, building a battery, writing their own anthologies and more! Activities can be done by the students alone, with their siblings, friends and parents. Or they can be used as a "rainy day activity" in summer camps or other group settings.
The Math Fitness Challenge:
This Challenge has tricky problems from elementary math to algebra for students to solve each week. Workouts are more fun with a partner and our tutors are ready to help train your brain this summer! The Challenge is broken into different challenges for Grades 1-5, Grades 6-8 and Grades 9-12.
|
|
|
|
|
Resource Highlight:
National Park Service Free Annual Pass for US Military Members and Dependents
Members of all branches of the United States Armed Services and their dependents are eligible for free Annual Passes through the National Park Service. These passes cover entrance to Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service sites that charge entrance fees, and standard amenity fees at Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation sites. These passes admit the pass owner and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas, or the pass owner and up to an additional three adults at sites that would charge per person. Passes are non-transferable.
|
|
|
|
Sikorsky Challenges Kids to Create the Helicopter of the Future in Scholarship Competition
Stratford, Connecticut - For the fourth consecutive year, Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp., is giving kids, ages 9 - 16, a chance to compete for a $1,000 scholarship through the Sikorsky Helicopter 2050 Program and Challenge.
The national program, which challenges kids to design a Helicopter of the Future, kicked off June 1 and will run through September 30, 2014. Contestants will design a helicopter that addresses the potential challenges of 2050 and plan for how their Helicopters of the Future would overcome those challenges.
The competition is part of Sikorsky's commitment to encouraging hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for students throughout the country and gives the corporation an opportunity to develop long-term relationships with tomorrow's engineers. "I'm thrilled to see the growing popularity of the program with children and adults alike," said Judy Bankowski, vice president and chief information officer at Sikorsky. "Every year, we see more teachers using the Challenge for their after-school clubs, as part of their STEM programs, for class assignments and more. The kids love it and, clearly, parents and teachers are seeing the same value of the program on children's education that we do." The winner of the 2014 competition will receive the Igor Sikorsky Youth Innovator Award along with the scholarship. In addition, the young innovator will be flown to Sikorsky's headquarters in Stratford, Connecticut, to tour the assembly line of the iconic BLACK HAWK AND SEAHAWK® military helicopters and meet with Sikorsky rotorcraft engineers. Click here to read more...
|
|
|
|
|
Resource Highlight:
Blue Star Museums offers Free Admission to Military Families at 2,000+ Museums Nationwide
WASHINGTON, DC - NEA Acting Chairman Joan Shigekawa and Blue Star Families CEO Kathy Roth-Douquet announced the fifth annual launch of Blue Star Museums, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America to offer free admission to the nation's service members, including National Guard and Reserve, and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2014. Leadership support has been provided by MetLife Foundation through Blue Star Families. The program provides families an opportunity to enjoy the nation's cultural heritage or learn more about their new communities after completing a military move. The complete list of participating museums is available at arts.gov/national/blue-star-museums.
|
|
|
