OMK and 4-H Military Launch Young Leaders Program

The 4-H Military Program and Maryland Operation: Military Kids hosted their first meeting of a new statewide program, the OMK Young Leaders.  This program aims to hit multiple goals of the 4-H Military Club program and OMK: to develop a youth leadership program that can spearhead the Speak Out for Military Kids initiative, provide ACA camp counselor leadership training, and develop a forum for a more robust 4-H military teen program for increased participation in state and national 4-H events.

With twenty young people from throughout Maryland and Virginia in attendance, we were able to receive input for next year’s camp and camp training schedule, create a Behavioral Expectation Form for all programs, introduce the Speak Out for Military Kids program, and develop two Bullying Prevention videos.  In a generous donation to the OMK program, the University of Maryland donated nearly $1500 in football tickets so our Young Leaders were able to attend the Maryland v. Wake Forest football game! It was a fantastic bonding experience, and a great introduction to coming year. 

This program is open to all youth in Maryland, military and non-military, that have an interest in serving as community ambassadors for military families and youth. If any youth in your county is interested in serving, please contact Alisha Targonski, alishat@umd.edu.