The Pennsylvania National Guard (PNG) Child & Youth Program will advocate for all PNG children and will offer programs and opportunities to collaborate with other military children to form a strong support base for all. Access Provide information benefits that support National Guard children and families Communication Build a sense of belonging within the National Guard community and network Education Provide developmentally-appropriate life skills Opportunity Participate in programs, events, and activities geared toward the behavioral and physical health and welfare of children and youth Outreach Build and sustain contact with families of the National Guard order to create awareness of available support services Resilience Infuse resiliency and leadership skills and techniques into all National Guard children and youth programs "As our family matures in the Guard, the importance of the Child & Youth Program grows Child & Youth Program events have a tremendous indirect return on investment, through a greater sense of belonging and improved Soldier retention." - MAJ Paolo Sica, ARNG 1 Family Camp Brought together families to boost morale and build a strong PNG Community 1 Regional Symposium Partnered with Region 3 states to allow opportunity for collaboration between states Teen Councils to discuss military youth related issues and participate in a service learning project 1 State Teen Symposium Focused on teen leadership by being different and making difference 1 Teen Council Retreat Provided teens the opportunity to serve veterans and meet with ROTC students 2 Family Day Events Encouraged military families to spend time together and with other military families 2 Master Resiliency Trainings Developed to enhance teens with productive thoughts and actions for life 2 Summer Camps Promoted connections between military youth across the state of Pennsylvania 2 Weekend Camps Designed for military children to connect during the school year 3 Yellow Ribbons Addressed phases of the deployment cycle and advocated for military children 4 Educational Day Events Involved kids and parents to have an opportunity to learn together
Teen Council The Pennsylvania National Guard Teen Council is made up of 14 teenagers. PNG Teen Council members play key role in helping plan program activities, participating in various events, and promoting the mission of the program. Through learning and serving PNG Teen Council members are developing leadership and teamwork skills that will help prepare them for reaching their goals and full potential in life. Military Appreciation Day Partnered with Penn State University, the PNG Teen Council was able to attend a Veterans Ceremony held on Penn State s campus. Teen Council members also got to meet with current Penn State ROTC students to learn more about the ROTC program offered at Penn State as well as ask questions about opportunities related to joining the military and attending college. PNG Teen Council volunteered to serve at the Penn State Football Military Appreciation Tailgate. Teens assisted both current and retired service members by helping at the ticket office, handing out t-shirts, and serving food. Winter Teen Leadership Challenge Joined with the PNG Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Program, the PNG Child & Youth Program did an interactive program for teens, Your Voice, Your Choice. A total of 18 teens were challenged to think about the value of their voice when faced with various life pressures and stressors. Teens were able to connect and communicate with each other by developing different leadership strategies and coping skills when dealing with peer pressure or other related stressors.
Master Resilience Training A total of 18 Pennsylvania National Guard teenagers participated in Master Resilience Training during the Winter Teen Leadership Challenge. Teens learned about the following MRT skills: Hunt the Good Stuff, Avoid Thinking Traps, and Detecting Icebergs. These MRT skills help teens better manage daily stressors and standup in the face of adversity. These past few years my son has been an active participant in the PNG Teen Council and he always comes home from each event telling me about the Master Resilience Training. He has been able to apply the modules to his everyday life. When he has bad days, or even I have a bad day he says, mom, we just have to hunt the good stuff. I can truly tell he is not only listening to the information, but he is taking the time to apply it to his everyday life. - SFC Amy Torres, ARNG Summer Camps Over 150 Pennsylvania National Guard children had the opportunity to take part in two summer camps. The PNG Child & Youth Program partnered with Project Y.E.S! to provide children with opportunity to participate in hands on activities to enhance their STEM, resiliency, and life skills. Children increased their creative and critical thinking skills as well as strengthened their communication skills as they shared and encouraged each other with their different military stories to boost morale and promote resilience within the military youth community. Family Camp This year, 34 families with a total of 147 people came to Family Camp. Pennsylvania National Guard morale and cohesion was strengthened at camp. Families were able to participate in various recreational activities and receive information about PNG State Family Programs. Old friendships were reunited and new friendships were formed as service members and family members shared their military stories and experiences with one another.
FY18 PNG CHILD & YOUTH PROGRAM TOTALS REPORTED YOUTH AGES 6-12 ARMY NG 316 AIR NG 72 TOTAL 388 ADULT PARTICIPANTS ARMY NG 1,130 AIR NG 39 TOTAL 1,169 YOUTH AGES 13-18 ARMY NG 161 AIR NG 22 TOTAL 183 YOUTH AGES 0-5 TOTAL 131 AIR PROGRAMMING HOURS 25 TOTAL 386 With the help of volunteers, PNG Child & Youth Program events are possible! Volunteers play a vital in program success by providing assistance before, during, and after events. Volunteers assist with all overnight camps by helping with chaperoning, program activities, and other logistical needs. VOLUNTEERS # OF VOLUNTEERS 47 # OF VOLUNTEER HOURS 410 Being able to guide a group of kids through a few days of activities that you can t do everyday was a great escape from everyday routine. Having the opportunity to do so with, not just my son, but a whole camp of military kids who all can relate and have a story to share was humbling. They all have that common denominator which made it a very meaningful experience for me to volunteer and help guide and mentor while having a blast. - SSG Seth Brown, ARNG
It is because of community partners that the PNG Child & Youth Program is able to provide various opportunities and experiences to service members and family members. Thank you to all the PNG Child & Youth Program partners for supporting the program and the mission! Provides Trained Camp Counselors at Overnight Camps Helps Children With or Without Disabilities/Special Needs Helps Youth and Teens with Educational Development and Facilitation Skills Interactive and fun learning at Camps and YRRP Events Free Online Books, Audiobooks, Music, Movies, and More Summer Reading Program Helps host several seasonal events for service members and family members Provides information and resources for service members and family members Family, Teen, and Children Workshops and Trainings Mobile App: Monster Guard Helps Kids Stay Safe and Learn About Safety PNG Lead Child & Youth Program Coordinator Lauren Gerhart Office: 717-861-6289 E-mail: lauren.b.gerhart.ctr@mail.mil PNG Child & Youth Program Coordinator Rachel Fox Office: 717-861-6269 E-mail: rachel.n.fox2.ctr@mail.mil Find us online: Facebook.com/PNGSMFS