WASHINGTON, D.C. -- When Tammy Ward woke up and spoke to her son on the phone after a sleepover with new friends recently, the discussion wasn't about how many pizzas he ate, the long hours playing video games or even scary movies on the television.
Instead, she heard words like Galapagos, octopuses and meteorites.
Twelve-year-old Wade Ward and 16 other Army Reserve youth recently spent a night at the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History as part of a youth program sponsored by the 200th Military Police Command, based at Fort Meade, Md., and the 99th Regional Support Command, based at Fort Dix N.J.
It was a script right out of a hit Hollywood movie and the actors were the family members of Army Reserve Soldiers, whose Soldiers are assigned to the Army Reserve's 200th MPC, 99th RSC, Military Intelligence Readiness Command and U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne).
The event was a joint effort between several major Reserve commands located on the eastern portion of the country. Deadra Martin, the school services specialist for the 200th MP Command, said it is important that no youth is ever forgotten.
"We really want our youth to have a positive experience during events like the museum trip," she said. "We have to inspire our children to grow up and be positive role models in our society. As their fathers and mothers deploy overseas, we must not forget the sacrifices they too are making during these difficult times."
Martin said it is those sacrifices that earn Reserve youth the title of young heroes in their own communities.
Upon arrival at the nation's museum, the youth were broken into six different groups and quickly began a scavenger hunt through a variety of museum exhibits -- learning about our life on planet Earth.
They darted between dinosaurs, mammals and various other interactive exhibits, looking for clues to our past and present.
"The scavenger hunt allowed the youth to have fun, while at the same time, being educated and answering questions about the historical and cultural events that have shaped the world around them," said Suzanne Costain, the 99th RSC's school services specialist and one of the overnight adventure organizers.
After all groups arrived at their rally point and talked about their day's adventure, the Reserve youth were treated to a 3-D movie about the Galapagos Islands and the research being done in that area.
After the movie, youth grabbed their sleeping bags, pillows and favorite little item from home and made their way to the main hall of the museum, where they slept in the midst of the sea creatures in the sea exhibit.
For Wade, it was a time to forget about his stepbrother who has been deployed to Afghanistan since December and interact with other youth in the same situation.
Wade's mother, Tammy Ward, said her son idolizes his hero, Cpl. John Leatherwood, who is assigned to the Army Reserve's 443rd Military Police Company based at Owings Mills, Md.
"I know Wade takes away from the events a sense of accomplishment that he has done things he would normally not do," she said.
She was excited to learn he made friends from different backgrounds, friends who seemed to understand how he feels with his brother gone and not being able to talk with him.
"These other kids know what it is like because they have parents, or siblings or other family members that are fighting for our country," she said. "This event helps Wade deal with things a little better."
During the overnight adventure Wade was selected as a leader among youth peers, and his mother said the look on his face was priceless when she saw him the next morning.
"It is hard to explain the look of satisfaction on his face when he is able to do what the Army Reserve offers him," she said. "He is a much happier young man and feels he has helped make a difference with the younger children and kids his own age."
Wade Ward said going through these types of programs makes him more comfortable about what he is going through.
"We don't talk too much about the situation," he said. "We kind of try and talk about other things so we don't think about it."
He said it was difficult for youth to talk about their feelings because their parents or siblings are deployed overseas, while others were afraid to talk because their families were home and might feel guilty about having a united family.
"I don't talk about it too much because I don't like to think about the fact that John is being shot at every day," he said. "That upsets me very much."
As a parent, Wade's mother wants him to be exposed to all kinds of adventures and the Army Reserve has many activities available for Families.
"With this program, he is able to do that," she said. "He meets new people and gets to experience things that I can't afford or can't do for him. He is learning how to work as a team with kids his own age as well as helping and learning to help kids that are younger than him."
This common bond made it possible for all of the youth to "look out" for each other and ensured that everyone had an enjoyable time, according to Costain.
"It was amazing to watch how easily he interacted with the others due to their common bond of being military children," said Costain.
As John continues to help the Afghan people liberate themselves, Wade Ward will continue to fight his own personal struggles back home and cope with the separation from his best friend and brother.
His mother said parents should be honest and have open communication with their children about separations.
"I think they should pray every day, talk to them about the situation and their feelings as much as you can and put positive thoughts into their heads and into the world," she said. "Always keep the lines communication open - because once it is gone - it is hard to open it back up."
She said families shouldn't worry and to remember their Army Reserve warriors are well trained to handle all situations.
As Wade and the other youth met up with their parents and their bags were packed in the car, each child will take home memories of meeting new friends and understanding that they are not alone.
Tammy Ward said throughout the difficult times her son has maintained good grades and positive attitude about life.
"My husband, Will, and I are so very proud of him and his accomplishments, she said. "I know John is very proud of him too."
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