1

Texas National Guard Child

and Youth Program

Annual report fy 2012

Young Heroes Camp

Texas Youth Leadership Council Members during a training workshop

2012 Youth Symposium

Teamwork at 4H Center Camp

2

Mission Enhance relationships among the National Guard Youth within Texas by sharing experiences

and building strong Guard families and communities

Goals Provide activities that address issues and concerns of National Guard Youth within the

family community and state

Promote positive character traits and develop leadership skills

Develop and deliver programs to teach skills that provide

resilience and self confidence

Collaborate with school and community partners so National Guard Youth are

Recognized and their unique needs are addressed

2 0 1 2 H i g h l i g h t s amp I n i t i a t i v e s

21 Yellow Ribbon events were staffed with 4923 Service Members 2859 Family Members 590

children and 725 youth attended

89 youth attended the State Youth Symposium with 53 youth attending the Military Ball

52 youth participated in the 5 day Young Heroes Camp

36 youth and 34 parents attended the College and Career Readiness Workshop

47 youth attended the ldquoRound Rock ExpressOMKrdquo day camp

40 youth and Family Members attended the Military Appreciation Night baseball game

33 youth participated in ldquoCamp Aventurardquo a 3 day camp in El Paso TX

25 youth attended the week long Hero Camp hosted by The Comfort Crew

Over 300 youth benefitted from ldquoOperation Homefrontrdquo school supply drives

18500 youth and community members attended ldquoAmerican Heroes Weekendrdquo at Camp Mabry and

thousands stopped by the TXNG Youth tent 4-H Operation Military Kids Texas Parks and Wild-

life TXMF Counter Drug Task Force and Hopewell Middle School Young Historians partnered to

offer activities within the Youth Area

Over 100 schools were contacted and materials sent out to assist the school staff support TXNG

youth Many sight visits took place after initial contacts

Over 3000 individuals received our newsletter ldquoThe Guide Onrdquo each 6 weeks

Child and Youth Program ldquofacebookrdquo page was created

240 ldquoHuggable Hero Dollrdquo certificates were given to Service Members or family members for youth

during deployments

2 TYLC members attended the AUSA Conference in Washington DC

Texas National Guard Youth are members of the ATP and GTP

Houston area youth sponsored a community wide Easter Egg Hunt with 200 attendees

Youth Team traveled in excess of 8000 miles serving the YouthFamilies of Texas

TEXAS

Annual Report FY 12

3

Young Heroes Camp 4H Conference Center Brownwood TX

Fifty-two youth ages 10-13 attended our

annual Young Heroes Camp After an evening

of team building and getting dorms set up each group presented their ldquoGuide Onrdquo and team

t-shirt The following days were spent gaining

confidence on the high ropes course working as a team on the low ropes course and other activi-

ties including shooting archery zip lining

swimming and arts and crafts The Texas Na-

tional Guard Drug Demand Reduction Soldiers

provided education on peer pressure drug and

alcohol abuse and alternatives to negative behaviors

Campers were required to assist with daily kitchen duties by collecting washing and putting

away dishes This enabled the youth to interact with all the other campers at the 4H Center which lead to them being able to share their stories of what it is like being a National Guard

Youth

College and Career Readiness Workshop Lubbock TX welcomed Texas military youth for our 2nd annual College and Career

Readiness Workshop hosted by their very own Texas Tech University Working along side

Texas Techrsquos Military and Veterans Program we hosted 36 Texas National Guard Youth and

34 of their parents The experience consisted of 2 nights in the dormitories meals in the dining hall a campus tour a mock college classroom experience in art history and informational col-

lege prep sessions presented by MCEC and Texas Tech

We were fortunate enough to have some wonderful guests deliver inspirational mes-

sages to the youth Among the guests were MG James ldquoRedrdquo Brown 36th ID Commander BG

Orlando Salinas TX Army National Guard Deputy Commander and COL David Counts a sit-

ting Federal Judge and a Texas Tech Alumni Texas Tech Universityrsquos Vice President and Spe-

cial Assistant to the University President COL (Ret) Lou Ortiz of the United States Air Force

also addressed our Guard Youth at this special college and career event

TEXAS

Annual Report FY 12

4

Texas

Annual Report FY 12

As a soldier during my first deployment my daughter was not focused and not really involved

in Youth Program As a result of this we lost her for that year and had to hold her back While attending

a youth symposium my daughter realized she was not alone She got involved and now is a Region 5

Texas Youth Leadership Council (TYLC) secretary and has held this position for the past 2 years After

volunteering at a few Yellow Ribbons with my wife and I my daughter noticed what we brought to the

event with our experiences her as a Shadow Warrior and myself as a Service Member Now I cannot

stop her from asking when the next event is

Ed Hansen MSG (ret)

536th BN Advisor and HHC 72nd IBCT FRG Leader

Key Partners in Texas

2

Mission Enhance relationships among the National Guard Youth within Texas by sharing experiences

and building strong Guard families and communities

Goals Provide activities that address issues and concerns of National Guard Youth within the

family community and state

Promote positive character traits and develop leadership skills

Develop and deliver programs to teach skills that provide

resilience and self confidence

Collaborate with school and community partners so National Guard Youth are

Recognized and their unique needs are addressed

2 0 1 2 H i g h l i g h t s amp I n i t i a t i v e s

21 Yellow Ribbon events were staffed with 4923 Service Members 2859 Family Members 590

children and 725 youth attended

89 youth attended the State Youth Symposium with 53 youth attending the Military Ball

52 youth participated in the 5 day Young Heroes Camp

36 youth and 34 parents attended the College and Career Readiness Workshop

47 youth attended the ldquoRound Rock ExpressOMKrdquo day camp

40 youth and Family Members attended the Military Appreciation Night baseball game

33 youth participated in ldquoCamp Aventurardquo a 3 day camp in El Paso TX

25 youth attended the week long Hero Camp hosted by The Comfort Crew

Over 300 youth benefitted from ldquoOperation Homefrontrdquo school supply drives

18500 youth and community members attended ldquoAmerican Heroes Weekendrdquo at Camp Mabry and

thousands stopped by the TXNG Youth tent 4-H Operation Military Kids Texas Parks and Wild-

life TXMF Counter Drug Task Force and Hopewell Middle School Young Historians partnered to

offer activities within the Youth Area

Over 100 schools were contacted and materials sent out to assist the school staff support TXNG

youth Many sight visits took place after initial contacts

Over 3000 individuals received our newsletter ldquoThe Guide Onrdquo each 6 weeks

Child and Youth Program ldquofacebookrdquo page was created

240 ldquoHuggable Hero Dollrdquo certificates were given to Service Members or family members for youth

during deployments

2 TYLC members attended the AUSA Conference in Washington DC

Texas National Guard Youth are members of the ATP and GTP

Houston area youth sponsored a community wide Easter Egg Hunt with 200 attendees

Youth Team traveled in excess of 8000 miles serving the YouthFamilies of Texas

TEXAS

Annual Report FY 12

3

Young Heroes Camp 4H Conference Center Brownwood TX

Fifty-two youth ages 10-13 attended our

annual Young Heroes Camp After an evening

of team building and getting dorms set up each group presented their ldquoGuide Onrdquo and team

t-shirt The following days were spent gaining

confidence on the high ropes course working as a team on the low ropes course and other activi-

ties including shooting archery zip lining

swimming and arts and crafts The Texas Na-

tional Guard Drug Demand Reduction Soldiers

provided education on peer pressure drug and

alcohol abuse and alternatives to negative behaviors

Campers were required to assist with daily kitchen duties by collecting washing and putting

away dishes This enabled the youth to interact with all the other campers at the 4H Center which lead to them being able to share their stories of what it is like being a National Guard

Youth

College and Career Readiness Workshop Lubbock TX welcomed Texas military youth for our 2nd annual College and Career

Readiness Workshop hosted by their very own Texas Tech University Working along side

Texas Techrsquos Military and Veterans Program we hosted 36 Texas National Guard Youth and

34 of their parents The experience consisted of 2 nights in the dormitories meals in the dining hall a campus tour a mock college classroom experience in art history and informational col-

lege prep sessions presented by MCEC and Texas Tech

We were fortunate enough to have some wonderful guests deliver inspirational mes-

sages to the youth Among the guests were MG James ldquoRedrdquo Brown 36th ID Commander BG

Orlando Salinas TX Army National Guard Deputy Commander and COL David Counts a sit-

ting Federal Judge and a Texas Tech Alumni Texas Tech Universityrsquos Vice President and Spe-

cial Assistant to the University President COL (Ret) Lou Ortiz of the United States Air Force

also addressed our Guard Youth at this special college and career event

TEXAS

Annual Report FY 12

4

Texas

Annual Report FY 12

As a soldier during my first deployment my daughter was not focused and not really involved

in Youth Program As a result of this we lost her for that year and had to hold her back While attending

a youth symposium my daughter realized she was not alone She got involved and now is a Region 5

Texas Youth Leadership Council (TYLC) secretary and has held this position for the past 2 years After

volunteering at a few Yellow Ribbons with my wife and I my daughter noticed what we brought to the

event with our experiences her as a Shadow Warrior and myself as a Service Member Now I cannot

stop her from asking when the next event is

Ed Hansen MSG (ret)

536th BN Advisor and HHC 72nd IBCT FRG Leader

Key Partners in Texas

3

Young Heroes Camp 4H Conference Center Brownwood TX

Fifty-two youth ages 10-13 attended our

annual Young Heroes Camp After an evening

of team building and getting dorms set up each group presented their ldquoGuide Onrdquo and team

t-shirt The following days were spent gaining

confidence on the high ropes course working as a team on the low ropes course and other activi-

ties including shooting archery zip lining

swimming and arts and crafts The Texas Na-

tional Guard Drug Demand Reduction Soldiers

provided education on peer pressure drug and

alcohol abuse and alternatives to negative behaviors

Campers were required to assist with daily kitchen duties by collecting washing and putting

away dishes This enabled the youth to interact with all the other campers at the 4H Center which lead to them being able to share their stories of what it is like being a National Guard

Youth

College and Career Readiness Workshop Lubbock TX welcomed Texas military youth for our 2nd annual College and Career

Readiness Workshop hosted by their very own Texas Tech University Working along side

Texas Techrsquos Military and Veterans Program we hosted 36 Texas National Guard Youth and

34 of their parents The experience consisted of 2 nights in the dormitories meals in the dining hall a campus tour a mock college classroom experience in art history and informational col-

lege prep sessions presented by MCEC and Texas Tech

We were fortunate enough to have some wonderful guests deliver inspirational mes-

sages to the youth Among the guests were MG James ldquoRedrdquo Brown 36th ID Commander BG

Orlando Salinas TX Army National Guard Deputy Commander and COL David Counts a sit-

ting Federal Judge and a Texas Tech Alumni Texas Tech Universityrsquos Vice President and Spe-

cial Assistant to the University President COL (Ret) Lou Ortiz of the United States Air Force

also addressed our Guard Youth at this special college and career event

TEXAS

Annual Report FY 12

4

Texas

Annual Report FY 12

As a soldier during my first deployment my daughter was not focused and not really involved

in Youth Program As a result of this we lost her for that year and had to hold her back While attending

a youth symposium my daughter realized she was not alone She got involved and now is a Region 5

Texas Youth Leadership Council (TYLC) secretary and has held this position for the past 2 years After

volunteering at a few Yellow Ribbons with my wife and I my daughter noticed what we brought to the

event with our experiences her as a Shadow Warrior and myself as a Service Member Now I cannot

stop her from asking when the next event is

Ed Hansen MSG (ret)

536th BN Advisor and HHC 72nd IBCT FRG Leader

Key Partners in Texas

4

Texas

Annual Report FY 12

As a soldier during my first deployment my daughter was not focused and not really involved

in Youth Program As a result of this we lost her for that year and had to hold her back While attending

a youth symposium my daughter realized she was not alone She got involved and now is a Region 5

Texas Youth Leadership Council (TYLC) secretary and has held this position for the past 2 years After

volunteering at a few Yellow Ribbons with my wife and I my daughter noticed what we brought to the

event with our experiences her as a Shadow Warrior and myself as a Service Member Now I cannot

stop her from asking when the next event is

Ed Hansen MSG (ret)

536th BN Advisor and HHC 72nd IBCT FRG Leader

Key Partners in Texas

5

TEXAS Annual Report FY 12

The state youth programs have been such a blessing in my life in a few distinct ways

When I was 13 my dad was deployed The age of 14 is a prominent age for one main reason that is time period in a girls life where she is growing from adolescence to womanhood Taking

my father out of the picture of that season of my life was not an easy thing to cope with

Through the youth programs I connected with youth who were going or have gone through the

same situation To be able to hear the simple phrase ldquoI really understandrdquo can mean more than

anything else My friends back home can sympathize but they canrsquot really understand what it is

like to go without a parent for one year The youth I connected with during that time meant the

world to me Irsquom so grateful I had them and the youth program

Kat Boynton

Lindale TX

Father

Maj Lee Boynton

Currently Deployed to Afghanistan with 136 MEB

Our mission is to assist the youth and families of Service Members therefore it is vital

to partner with organizations like Operation Military Kids (OMK) and 4-H OMK and 4-H are present in all 254 counties in Texas This partnership enables us to tap into the expertise of the

local Extension Agents and OMKrsquos vast network of subject matter experts for events almost

anywhere in Texas The Comfort Crew and Big Brothers Big Sisters are some of our local partners we love

to work with because they give so much support to our military youth and have enabled all of

our programs to become more effective and far reaching TXMF Child and Youth Program have been fortunate to have different organizations

come out and support as well as bring a diverse group of youth and families that may not have

been as inclined to participate in otherwise The Round Rock Express were a wonderful addi-

tion to us as they hosted a mini-camp attended a Yellow Ribbon and even allowed our youth

on the baseball field to help honor our local Military Heroes

Texas Tech University was extremely gracious as they hosted our 2nd annual College

and Career Readiness Workshop which attracted National Guard Youth and Family Members from all over the state Our workshop had many wonderful guests and speakers including a rep-

resentative from Military Child and Education Coalition (MCEC) MCEC is one of our key

partners for their subject matter experts and useful resources and workshops have increased

our visibility and effectiveness throughout the state

We at State Family Programs have many events throughout the year one being our

State Youth Symposium The National Guard Association of Texas has played a key role giv-

ing time energy and resources to our National Guard Youth Symposium NGATrsquos willingness

to support the Child and Youth Program is unique as they truly work for the well being of all Service and Family Members in Texas with a special place for the youth

6

Texas Child and Youth Program Contact Information

Bob HankinsmdashLead Child and Youth Program Coordinator

2200 W 35th St

Bldg 34 Camp Mabry

Austin TX 78703

512-782-1231

robertbhankinsctrusarmymil

Amanda Del PradomdashChild and Youth Program Coordinator

2200 W 35th St

Bldg 34 Camp Mabry

Austin TX 78703

512-782-1268

amandaldelpradoctrusarmymil

Aubrie WademdashChild and Youth Program Coordinator

2200 W 35th St

Bldg 34 Camp Mabry

Austin TX 78703

512-782-1245

aubriewadeusarmymil

Find us on facebook httpwwwfacebookcomTXMFChildandYouthProgram

Focus on Volunteers Number of volunteers utilized 110

Hours volunteered 1167+ Our volunteers have assisted in Yellow Ribbon Events day camps holiday events Camp

Mabry American Heroes Open House They have supported youth and families complete activi-

ties supervised events supported other community partners as well as createdmaintained mate-

In 2004 when notification of my husbands 2nd deployment came I knew that something had to be dif-

ferent this time I didnt want the deployment to have the negative effects we had previously experienced Our

children began to participate in the Child and Youth Program They attended unit level events and began to estab-

lish what would become lifelong friendships with the children of other deployed National Guard soldiers Over

the course of the next 4 deployments MaKensie and Matthew began to thrive as they utilized the various resources

that the Youth Program had to offer They participated in Youth Camps and Symposiums attended various train-

ing opportunities and took on leadership roles

MaKensie and Matthew gained skills and knowledge through the Youth Program that they used to be-

come strong and resourceful leaders Speaking publicly to educate others on the challenges of being a child of a

National Guard soldier and helping other National Guard youth was an important aspect of their personal journey

of growth and healing MaKensie served two year terms as both the Secretary and President of the Texas Military

Forces Youth Leadership Council and is currently a junior at Texas Tech University and a Texas Army National

Guard soldier Matthew served as a Regional Representative and is currently serving his second term as the Presi-

dent of the Texas Military Forces Youth Leadership Council He served a two year term as a member of both the

National Guard Teen Panel and the Army Teen Panel Matthew is currently a senior in High School and a Junior

Advisor on the Army Teen Panel His future goals include becoming an engineer and having a career in the mili-

tary

The Child and Youth Program has been a blessing for our family Our children were not only able to

overcome the challenges they faced throughout the 5 deployments but they were able to positively deal with the

issues and stressors that is life We are thankful for the friendships support and experiences the Youth Program

offered our children as it has helped prepare them to be successful and resilient members of our family and their

community

TEXAS

Annual Report FY 12

6

Texas Child and Youth Program Contact Information

Bob HankinsmdashLead Child and Youth Program Coordinator

2200 W 35th St

Bldg 34 Camp Mabry

Austin TX 78703

512-782-1231

robertbhankinsctrusarmymil

Amanda Del PradomdashChild and Youth Program Coordinator

2200 W 35th St

Bldg 34 Camp Mabry

Austin TX 78703

512-782-1268

amandaldelpradoctrusarmymil

Aubrie WademdashChild and Youth Program Coordinator

2200 W 35th St

Bldg 34 Camp Mabry

Austin TX 78703

512-782-1245

aubriewadeusarmymil

Find us on facebook httpwwwfacebookcomTXMFChildandYouthProgram

Focus on Volunteers Number of volunteers utilized 110

Hours volunteered 1167+ Our volunteers have assisted in Yellow Ribbon Events day camps holiday events Camp

Mabry American Heroes Open House They have supported youth and families complete activi-

ties supervised events supported other community partners as well as createdmaintained mate-

In 2004 when notification of my husbands 2nd deployment came I knew that something had to be dif-

ferent this time I didnt want the deployment to have the negative effects we had previously experienced Our

children began to participate in the Child and Youth Program They attended unit level events and began to estab-

lish what would become lifelong friendships with the children of other deployed National Guard soldiers Over

the course of the next 4 deployments MaKensie and Matthew began to thrive as they utilized the various resources

that the Youth Program had to offer They participated in Youth Camps and Symposiums attended various train-

ing opportunities and took on leadership roles

MaKensie and Matthew gained skills and knowledge through the Youth Program that they used to be-

come strong and resourceful leaders Speaking publicly to educate others on the challenges of being a child of a

National Guard soldier and helping other National Guard youth was an important aspect of their personal journey

of growth and healing MaKensie served two year terms as both the Secretary and President of the Texas Military

Forces Youth Leadership Council and is currently a junior at Texas Tech University and a Texas Army National

Guard soldier Matthew served as a Regional Representative and is currently serving his second term as the Presi-

dent of the Texas Military Forces Youth Leadership Council He served a two year term as a member of both the

National Guard Teen Panel and the Army Teen Panel Matthew is currently a senior in High School and a Junior

Advisor on the Army Teen Panel His future goals include becoming an engineer and having a career in the mili-

tary

The Child and Youth Program has been a blessing for our family Our children were not only able to

overcome the challenges they faced throughout the 5 deployments but they were able to positively deal with the

issues and stressors that is life We are thankful for the friendships support and experiences the Youth Program

offered our children as it has helped prepare them to be successful and resilient members of our family and their

community

TEXAS

Annual Report FY 12