FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — From having a parent deployed, to changing schools every few years, military children experience unique challenges and that’s why the Department of Defense has designated April as the Month of the Military Child — to get the party started locally, Fort Leonard Wood’s Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation directorate is planning a MOMC kickoff celebration for 5:30 p.m., April 1 at the Daugherty Bowling Center.
Bridget Plummer, school liaison officer with MWR’s Child and Youth Services division, said celebrating military kids has a special place in her heart because she is the mom of two Army children.
“I have seen them struggle and have seen them thrive during our moves. Military kids don’t ask for much, just to have a place to belong,” Plummer said. “We are trying to make sure kids at Fort Leonard Wood feel that they belong here all year long, but we ramp up the appreciation during the Month of the Military Child.”
She said military children don’t get a say in when and where their families move and “leave friends and familiarity for the unknown and although we say they are resilient, they deserve to be celebrated and appreciated for just being them.”
Jennifer Chapman, MWR’s Parent and Outreach Services director, said this April will be one of the “greatest” MOMC celebrations with several events planned for military children of all ages.
Here are some of the upcoming MOMC events:
MOMC Color Run, 3 p.m., April 5, Gerlach Field
PT in the Woods, 6:30 a.m., April 9, Gerlach Field
Night at the Museum: The Heist, 6 p.m., April 11, John B. Mahaffey Museum Complex
MOMC Neon Dance Party, 5 p.m., April 18, Nutter Field House
MOMC Palooza, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., April 26, Gerlach Field
Chapman said MOMC Palooza is her favorite event of the month.
“This is our third MOMC Palooza and each year it has gotten larger. It just fills my heart with joy to see so many people from our community come together to celebrate our children,” Chapman said. “It really is just one of the biggest parties I have thrown. There truly is something for everyone at MOMC Palooza.”
Plummer’s favorite event of the month, geared toward teens, is so popular it already has a waitlist.
“I’m a little partial to Night at the Museum. It’s the only event like it in the Army. We host a lock-in at the museum overnight for 60 teens with a mission and tasks to complete as a team. It takes a big group of volunteers to make it all happen. I really love seeing volunteers show up willingly to enthusiastically execute an event for our teens,” Plummer said.
Several MWR facilities will also be featuring specials to honor military kids in April:
Daugherty Bowling Center, discounted bowling special
Outdoor Adventure Center, 25% off bounce house rentals
For more information on MOMC events, visit MWR’s calendar.
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