Family & Youth Programs Archive

  • FORT MONROE, Va. — Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, Col. Thom Morgan, director of manpower and personnel for the Virginia Guard, and representatives of Virginia National Guard Family Programs joined Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife, First Lady Maureen McDonnell, for the passing of the keys to the Freedom Support Center Nov. 30 at Fort Monroe, Va. The center will serve as a “one-stop” service facility for active duty, reserve and National Guard service members, their families and veterans with information on government benefits and programs, career planning, job training programs, financial counseling, short-term financial aid, and more. The Freedom Support Center adds a physical dimension to First Lady McDonnell’s SOS (Serving Our...

    AG, Virginia Guard staff on hand as Governor receives keys to new Freedom Support Center at Fort Monroe

    Posted on December 4, 2012 | No Comments
    FORT MONROE, Va. — Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, Col. Thom Morgan, director of manpower and personnel for the Virginia Guard, and representatives of Virginia National Guard Family Programs joined Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife, First Lady Maureen McDonnell, for the passing of the keys to the Freedom Support Center Nov. 30 at Fort Monroe, Va. The center will serve as a “one-stop” service facility for active duty, reserve and National Guard service members, their families and veterans with information on government benefits and programs, career planning, job training programs, financial counseling, short-term financial aid, and more. The Freedom Support Center adds a physical dimension to First Lady McDonnell’s SOS (Serving Our...

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  • VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — More than 100 children of Virginia National Guard members participated in the seventh annual Virginia National Guard Youth Camp July 30- Aug. 3, 2012 at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach. The week-long camp featured a wide variety of outdoor and indoor activities, including presentations from military and civilian organizations. The campers included 63 kids between the ages of 8-12 and 38 teens between the ages of 13-17. In addition to a week of outdoor activities and arts & crafts fun, the campers spent time in the sun at the beach and traveled to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg for a day of fun. This year’s camp marked a lot of firsts for the Virginia Guard Youth Camp,...

    Children of Virginia Guard Soldiers, Airmen enjoy 7th annual Youth Camp

    Posted on August 15, 2012 | No Comments
    VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — More than 100 children of Virginia National Guard members participated in the seventh annual Virginia National Guard Youth Camp July 30- Aug. 3, 2012 at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach. The week-long camp featured a wide variety of outdoor and indoor activities, including presentations from military and civilian organizations. The campers included 63 kids between the ages of 8-12 and 38 teens between the ages of 13-17. In addition to a week of outdoor activities and arts & crafts fun, the campers spent time in the sun at the beach and traveled to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg for a day of fun. This year’s camp marked a lot of firsts for the Virginia Guard Youth Camp,...

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  • VIRGINIA BEACH, Va — Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, and his wife Diane Long, recognized Virginia National Guard volunteers at the Virginia National Guard Volunteer Recognition Workshop July 14 in Virginia Beach. The volunteers received certificates and momentos in recognition of their support of various programs over the past year, including family readiness groups, family programs, youth camps and various other programs. “Volunteers are an integral part of the National Guard Family Program and without their time, dedication, and commitment, it would be impossible to do everything we do for service members and families,” said Vickie Sais, the Virginia National Guard director of Family Programs. “At this workshop, we wanted to sincerely thank all our...

    Virginia Guard honors, thanks volunteers for their support

    Posted on July 18, 2012 | No Comments
    VIRGINIA BEACH, Va — Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, and his wife Diane Long, recognized Virginia National Guard volunteers at the Virginia National Guard Volunteer Recognition Workshop July 14 in Virginia Beach. The volunteers received certificates and momentos in recognition of their support of various programs over the past year, including family readiness groups, family programs, youth camps and various other programs. “Volunteers are an integral part of the National Guard Family Program and without their time, dedication, and commitment, it would be impossible to do everything we do for service members and families,” said Vickie Sais, the Virginia National Guard director of Family Programs. “At this workshop, we wanted to sincerely thank all our...

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  • NEW CASTLE, Va. — Nearly 50 children attended the 5th annual Teen Wilderness Adventure Camp held at Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing in New Castle June 24-28. The children were all dependents of Virginia National Guard and active duty military families and were exposed to a multitude of outdoor events including rock-wall climbing, zip lining, kayaking, hiking, first aid and many other activities that exude confidence and build teamwork. “The (Virginia National Guard) Youth Program partnered with Operation Military Kids to bring 50 teens up here ranging in ages from 13 to 17,” said Drew Davis, director of youth programs for the Virginia National Guard. “The program is really about giving the kids an opportunity to come out here and...

    Teen Wilderness Adventure Camp welcomes kids from military families

    Posted on June 26, 2012 | No Comments
    NEW CASTLE, Va. — Nearly 50 children attended the 5th annual Teen Wilderness Adventure Camp held at Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing in New Castle June 24-28. The children were all dependents of Virginia National Guard and active duty military families and were exposed to a multitude of outdoor events including rock-wall climbing, zip lining, kayaking, hiking, first aid and many other activities that exude confidence and build teamwork. “The (Virginia National Guard) Youth Program partnered with Operation Military Kids to bring 50 teens up here ranging in ages from 13 to 17,” said Drew Davis, director of youth programs for the Virginia National Guard. “The program is really about giving the kids an opportunity to come out here and...

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  • WASHINGTON, D.C. — Baleigh Wheeler of Greenville, Va., was recognized April 19 in Washington, D.C., as one of five young people selected as “Our Military Kids of the Year” by the national nonprofit organization Our Military Kids. Baleigh, age 15, is the oldest daughter of Maj. Dave Wheeler, the full time personnel officer for the 116th Brigade Combat Team Headquarters in Staunton. In observance of the Month of the Military Child, Our Military Kids hosted its third annual “Celebration of Our Military Kids’ Star Power” event at the U.S. Navy Memorial and recognized the five children and one Military Family of the Year. Wheeler previously received a $500 grant from Our Military Kids to pay for her dance lessons and competitions,...

    Daughter of Virginia Guard Soldier recognized as one of the top “Military Kids of the Year”

    Posted on April 23, 2012 | No Comments
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Baleigh Wheeler of Greenville, Va., was recognized April 19 in Washington, D.C., as one of five young people selected as “Our Military Kids of the Year” by the national nonprofit organization Our Military Kids. Baleigh, age 15, is the oldest daughter of Maj. Dave Wheeler, the full time personnel officer for the 116th Brigade Combat Team Headquarters in Staunton. In observance of the Month of the Military Child, Our Military Kids hosted its third annual “Celebration of Our Military Kids’ Star Power” event at the U.S. Navy Memorial and recognized the five children and one Military Family of the Year. Wheeler previously received a $500 grant from Our Military Kids to pay for her dance lessons and competitions,...

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  • The Virginia National Guard Youth Program continued their Teen Leadership Training series by providing training on “Safe Social Networking” to 32 Guard family teens at the G-Force Karts in Richmond, Va. on February 24 and the Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg on March 24. Special guest Keith Dunn, a former Airman and founder of the KDCOP Foundation, presented the two events to the children of Guard Soldiers and Airmen. “It was a great honor to collaborate with Keith Dunn and his organization of KDCOP,” said Drew Davis, state youth program specialist. “He is a front-runner in the movement for a safer Internet.” Dunn spoke to the teens about protecting themselves on Facebook, cyber-bullying, peer pressure and appropriate cell phone habits....

    Virginia Youth Programs trains teens on “Safe Social Networking”

    Posted on April 13, 2012 | No Comments
    The Virginia National Guard Youth Program continued their Teen Leadership Training series by providing training on “Safe Social Networking” to 32 Guard family teens at the G-Force Karts in Richmond, Va. on February 24 and the Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg on March 24. Special guest Keith Dunn, a former Airman and founder of the KDCOP Foundation, presented the two events to the children of Guard Soldiers and Airmen. “It was a great honor to collaborate with Keith Dunn and his organization of KDCOP,” said Drew Davis, state youth program specialist. “He is a front-runner in the movement for a safer Internet.” Dunn spoke to the teens about protecting themselves on Facebook, cyber-bullying, peer pressure and appropriate cell phone habits....

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