FORT SILL, Okla.--Military children are an integral part of the Army family and to celebrate their contributions, April has been set aside as the Month of the Military Child.
"Fort Sill is proud to celebrate the Month of the Military Child. Each year, we take this time to show our appreciation and respect for our military children and youth and the contributions they bring to the military community," said Mary Michelle Turner, Parent Central Services director. "Fort Sill will host special events and programs throughout April in continuation of the Army Family and Army Community covenants."
Turner said 2010 brought new facilities to the Child, Youth and School Services programs. That will continue as the ground breaking for the new youth center is in April. Celebrating military children fosters stronger relationships with military families and the communities in which they reside, said Turner.
"We also recognize the importance of both child and family to the overall mission of today's military," she said. "Events range from open houses at different Child, Youth and School Services locations to a teen success expo."
The activities begin Friday with a children's parade around the three child development centers at 10 a.m. The parade, which begins on the access road next to Tincher, is open to all military children - not just those enrolled in a CDC. Children from each CDC will join the parade at the entrance to their facility.
Turner said it's a fun way for the kids to show off their banners, hats and the Month of the Military Child T-shirts.
"All indications are our children need time to relax, have some fun and just be children. We diligently try to stay focused on the tremendous stress our Soldiers, spouses and children are facing with the high operations tempo and deployment cycle war brings to our installations," said Turner.
Other events are:
A Parent Open House is scheduled for Friday from 6-7 p.m. at the school age center.
Tail Waggin' Tutors will join kids at Nye Library Saturday from 1-3 p.m. The tutors will join the staff for a few stories. Children are invited to the craft after the story.
Enjoy children's movies and game systems at the RecPlex Tuesday from noon to 4 p.m. CDC Wheels Day is April 7 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. within the CDCs area.
A free Lock-in will be held April 8-9 from 10 p.m. to 7:45 a.m. at the youth center. Space is limited to 45.Youths must be sixth through 12th graders and registered members of the youth center. Only a permission slip will reserve spaces.
T o d d l e r Olympics are April 8 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. for the special playgroup age 5 and under at Rinehart Fitness Center.
A S a t u r d a y movie matinee will be held April 9 from 1-3 p.m. at Nye Library. The movie is "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs," rated PG. Free juice and popcorn will be provided. A guardian must remain with children under age 8.
A youth center MOMC dance is April 9 from 7-9 p.m.The dance is free to registered members in 6th through 12th grade. Each member can bring one guest to the dance at the youth center, 1721 Gruber Road.
The National Library Appreciation Museum Display is April 10-16 at Nye Library. Come in and view some of the retired tools that were used in library services.
A craft day is April 16 from 1-3 p.m.
Story time at Nye Library is April 13 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Follow the exploits of PJ Funnybunny as he goes on a quest to discover who PJ really is.
The school age center fashion show is April 14 at 6 p.m. A soccer skills challenge is April 9 at 2 p.m. on Upton Field and open to military children only. Divisions are age 12 and under; 10 and under; 8 and under; and 6 and under. Registration deadline is Saturday. For more information, call 442-5926.
The teen versus staff basketball game is April 15 from 7-9 p.m. at the Honeycutt Fitness Center. Rumble, the Oklahoma City Thunder mascot will make a guest appearance. Teens must be registered with CYSS to participate in the game. Teens playing must meet at the youth center by 6:30 p.m. Call 442-6745 for more details.
A Red Hawks baseball game is April 16 in Oklahoma City. The free game begins at 3:05 p.m. The bus leaves the youth center at noon; all participants must be registered youth center members. Space is limited to the first 45 youths who turn in their permission slips. Attendees must use youth center transportation to the game.
Open houses at the three CDC's are April 16 from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
A Scholastic Book Fair is April 18-22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and open to all.
A Positive Behavior Support Workshop, hosted by the CDCs, is April 19 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Resiliency Training Center.
The school age center Easter egg hunt is April 21 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. for local home school groups at the center.
A post-wide Easter Egg Hunt is April 23 on Polo Field from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The egg hunt will feature age groups searching one at a time to give children of all ages a better chance to find eggs.
Topping off the egg-stravaganza, the Fort Sill Easter Egg Hunt for children ages 18 months to 11 years old and exceptional needs children is April 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Butner/Cowan Field. Other activities such as pony rides, paint ball and inflatables and pictures with the Easter Bunny are offered. The only cost is food and beverage concessions.
The Nye Library Puppet Theatre is April 22 from 11 a.m. to noon.
The youth center youth and staff talent show is April 22 at 6 p.m. Participants must be registered with CYS Services to perform and sign up by April 15 at the youth center. There will be prizes for the contestants.
Nye Library hosts an Easter make-and-take craft class April 23 from 2-4 p.m. or until the supplies run out. All ages are welcome. There are crafts for children and adults.
The Family Child Care Fun Day is April 26 at the SAC from 9:30-11 a.m.
The school age center talent show is April 29 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the center.
The Commanding General's Challenge community walk is April 29 at 1:30 p.m. at Polo Field. A health and fitness expo begins at 10:30 a.m. with a fitness class expo following at 11:30 a.m.
The LETRA miniature golf tournament is April 30 at 1 p.m. The course has been renovated with new features added. The tournament is a scramble start with four to five member teams. Entry is $5 per person. For more information, call 442-5858.
On April 30 at 9:30 a.m., the Exceptional Family Member Program families will take a trip to the Oklahoma City Zoo. The trip is open to all military families. Meet at Building 4700; call 442-3393 to register.
Nye Library invites all eligible children to read for rewards Friday through April 30. Children up to age 7 can receive MWR certificates for every three books they check out and read. For children who cannot read, parents may read to them. Children, ages 8-12 can receive MWR certificates for every two books they read. Young adults, ages 13-18 will receive MWR certificates for every book they read. Books must be reading- level appropriate. Only books checked out from Nye Library are eligible for this program. For more information, call 442-3806.
The Southwestern Oklahoma teen success expo is April 30 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Resiliency Training Center. The expo has information on training and educational programs, volunteer and intern opportunities, jobs, resume writing and interview tips. To register, call the employment readiness program at 442-4916/4681. Turner said employers will be on hand to do on-site interviews for summer employment.
The youth center cookout and open house is April 30 from 5-7 p.m. featuring free food and games and a disc jockey.
For more information about any of the MOMC events, call 580-442-3927.
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