FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (June 16, 2011) - For the past year, Quesha Matthews has taken her infant and toddler sons to the Youth Services Center gym to participate in Fort Meade's Romp 'n Stomp program.
The 10-year-old recreational activity allows children ages 5 and younger to play with age-appropriate toys and other children every Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., when Anne Arundel County public schools are in session.
Matthews' husband, 1st Sgt. Chris Matthews, also attends the program once a month, but for a different reason.
He oversees Soldiers from the Headquarters Operations Company of the 741st Military Intelligence Battalion who volunteer to help set up Romp 'n Stomp and put the toys away when the program is over.
"We want to be good stewards of the community and give kids an opportunity to come out and do things," said Matthews, the company's senior noncommissioned officer.
Lisa Redmond, Parent Support Program manager at Army Community Service, said the Soldiers of the 741st MIB have been volunteering at Romp 'n Stomp more than two years.
"They have been unbelievable, a huge help. I couldn't do it without them. They have been so committed," said Redmond, who has coordinated the program for four years.
Every Tuesday between 8 and 9 a.m., Redmond and the Soldiers empty the toys from three storage sheds outside the back of the building. They use disinfectant wipes and spray to clean the plastic toys, animals, Legos, scooters, instruments, gym mats and other materials used by the children during the program. When playtime is over, Redmond and the Soldiers return the toys to the shed for the following week. Soldiers from four other companies within the 741st MI rotate duties at Romp 'n Stomp on a weekly basis.
About 130 to 140 parents and children participate in the program each week.
"Romp 'n Stomp is great for military families," Redmond said. "Moving from one place to another, it's difficult to meet people. Families can get isolated. This gives parents and children a venue to meet other parents and friends."
Romp 'n Stomp ended for the summer at the gym on Tuesday. The activity is now taking place at the Boundless playground at Burba Park on Tuesday mornings from 9 to 10:30 a.m. until Aug. 23. Redmond said infants and children up to age 11 can enjoy the playground because the equipment accommodates older children as well as youngsters with special needs.
At the park, children can participate in a wide range of organized games including kickball, dodgeball, tug-of-war and sack races. Water guns and bubbles also are provided.
Quesha Matthews said she brings her boys to Romp 'n Stomp to encourage them to socialize while she talks to other parents about educational and recreational resources in the Fort Meade area.
"It's a free thing, and there are not a lot of free things in the community," she said. "And the kids can just wear themselves out."
In addition to the Soldier volunteers, Milton Hawkins, a licensed social worker, has volunteered at Romp 'n Stomp for 18 months. Hawkins helps to set up the program, plays with the children and assists parents.
"It's fulfilling to be around the loving interactions I see between parents and children," said Hawkins, a registered volunteer through Army Community Service. "This is a wonderful playground."
Spc. Althon Johnson, Headquarters Operations Company's personnel file manager, has been volunteering for Romp 'n Stomp since the 741st MI became involved with the program.
"It's kind of fun to set up," he said. "It helps people."
Johnson said he enjoys volunteering so much that two years ago at Christmas, he dressed up as a Christmas elf and handed out candy to the children during their morning playtime.
"I get to help somebody," he said. "I feel like I should. If no one wants to help, who will? It might as well be me."
Cpl. Victoria Friend, a human resource specialist with the 741st MI, has been volunteering with Romp 'n Stomp for a little more than a year.
"I like to give back," she said. "It's a lot of fun. I love kids."
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