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***image1***Kids 4 Kids is a program designed to support intermediate and middle school children of deployed parents.
K4K is a partner program between Ramstein Intermediate School and Ramstein Middle School. Each school’s PTA provides funding support as well as a parent representative who works with the schools’ counselors and psychologists to plan meaningful and fun activities throughout the school year.
The 2008-2009 K4K Kickoff was held recently in the parking lot between the two schools. More than 100 students in third through eighth grade donned their K4K T-shirts and learned about military life in the field and “downrange” from enthusiastic military volunteers from the 86th Construction and Training Squadron, Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe/A7, 435th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 1st Combat Communications Squadron and 835th Civil Engineer Squadron.
Three igloo tents were set up during the morning of the event. These tents became real world classrooms. In one, students learned about camouflage application first-hand as volunteers talked with them about “camo” use and applied the makeup to the students’ faces. The children also got to try their hands at applying the face paint to peers.
A second tent became a make shift “dining facility” as students learned about Meals Ready to Eat. Students sampled the MREs while the volunteers talked about preparation and use.
The third tent served as a body armor “dressing room” where students tried on various articles of protective clothing, including night vision goggles. The military volunteers explained the use of the gear, emphasizing the ways this special equipment helps to keep people safe.
The learning wasn’t just contained to the tents. A Humvee on site created lots of interest and enthusiasm. In addition, the students learned about the use of portable communication equipment and robots for bomb detection. Perhaps the most exciting activity was the opportunity to “battle” with the military volunteer in the “Red Man Suit.”
A few “Hidden Hero” parents (a.k.a. spouses of deployed military members) took part in the festivities. One parent told her sons’ counselor that the boys were so excited about the upcoming event that they phoned their father in Iraq the previous night to fill him in on all of the details.
After witnessing the enthusiasm of the students, she shared, “I know the boys will be talking about this event for months to come!”
Volunteers from 435th Youth Services joined in the fun too. They came bearing gifts as they allowed each student to select either a water bottle or mouse pad as a free gift.
Students left the event with snack bags, painted faces, full bellies and, most of all, smiles, excitement and anticipation of the next K4K activity!
