Military kids on the move find consistency in 4-H

Cooperative Extension has joined with the U.S. Army and Air Force to make transitions a little smoother for the children of soldiers, officers and civilians serving at America's military installations worldwide.

The children sacrifice the security of familiarity by moving whenever and wherever their parents' services are needed. In addition, with military parents being deployed to distant and sometimes dangerous places, their children face extended separations and often live with fear and anxiety.

However, now at least one thing provides comfort and continuity. No matter where these global nomads land, they will find their 4-H program. The Army has decided every base will have a 4-H Community Club with programs in photography, citizenship, technology and fine arts. The Air Force will also offer various 4-H programs.

University of California Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development advisor Christine Duchene, headquartered at the San Bernardino County office, coordinates the program at California military bases. Duchene received a $30,000 grant from USDA to fund travel and other expenses associated with the program during 2004.

Programs are in place at Fort Irwin, Presidio of Monterey and the Sierra Army Depot. In addition, youth are joining 4-H Clubs at Beale, Edwards, Los Angeles, Onizuka, Travis and Vandenberg Air Force bases. Army and Air Force Children and Youth Services staff coordinate the 4-H programs.

At Fort Irwin, a National Training Center in the Mojave Desert, every Wednesday is 4-H Club Day, according to Lynne Glindemann, a training and program specialist for Fort Irwin’s Children and Youth Services. Glindemann said typically the Army youth program sees a 50 to 70 percent turnover each year. Predictability allows the children to quickly integrate into their new environments.

“Frequent moves make children more adaptable. They learn how to socialize and make friends,” Glindemann said. “Having consistent programs from base to base helps them fall into the same pattern everywhere they go.”

The 4-H program involves the creation and maintenance of a “record book.” The record book is part forms and part journal. Each 4-H member tracks his or her attendance at meetings and what was covered, participation in events, accomplishments and other information. New sections are added for each year. With the record book, 4-H members bring their 4-H progress with them when they transfer to new clubs.

The youth are assured they can build on their work in the four projects the Army requires at all bases:

• Fine arts has a focus on both the visual and performing arts and includes participation in local 4-H exhibits as well at the Boys and Girls Clubs of America National Fine Arts Exhibit
• Photography teaches youth to use both digital and lens cameras and includes participation in a variety of photography contests
• Technology is conducted in conjunction with Children and Youth Services computer labs and the National 4-H Youth Technology Leadership Effort
• Citizenship combines local, state and national citizenship issues with existing Children and Youth Services community service opportunities

Additional 4-H project choices are based on the interests of youth within the local community to supplement the above project areas.

The Army identified several reasons to link up with Cooperative Extension 4-H when it entered into the program. It noted the fact that 4-H is a nationally recognized and effective youth development education program with a youth development strategy compatible with the Army’s. Also, it noted 4-H's strong local, county, state and national infrastructure.

“The 4-H representative is always just a phone call away,” Glindemann said. “We have gotten full support.”
During 2004, Duchene and San Bernardino County 4-H program representative Cheryl Eggleston will visit each Army and Air Force base in California to provide training and 4-H curriculum to Children and Youth Services coordinators.

(February 2004)

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