While it is still winter, and snow is on the ground in some places, it is the time of year to plan ahead for the summer. Summer camps release dates and times and quickly fill up, so now is the time to find and pick summer camps. If you are looking for a way to send your military kids to camp, and potentially save a little money while you are at it.

4H Military Partnership Camps

These 4H camps are designed specifically for military-connected children. Each camp length and time differ per state, so check out the locations and information about each camp here.

Camp Corral

Camp Corral is a camp for children ages 8-15 who have a parent who is wounded, ill, injured, or fallen. Camps are located all over the United States. Camps are free of charge to military families with a $30.00 refundable deposit to hold the position. Camps vary in length and style based on the location of the camp.

Camp Trotter

The camp in Michigan offers five weeks of one-week long camp for seven to twelve-year-olds with military parents. The Camp is operated by the Department of Michigan and Veterans of Foreign Affairs and is taking applications now. There is a $300 fee for the camp.

DOD Starbase

The Department of the Defense Youth Program provides fourth, fifth, and sixth graders with STEM-based education at National Guard, Marine, Air Force, and Army bases around the United States. There are 70 locations across the United States this summer, check them out here.

Military Teen Adventure Camps

For teens of active duty, guard, reserve, and retired military personnel, military teen adventure camps offer a unique outdoor camp at no cost. There are funds available to help with transportation as well. You can search camps by location and date.

Operation Purple Camp

The National Military Family Association offers Operation Purple Camp in the summer. It is a camp for military children, typically ages 8 and up, and offers overnight camps. The camps vary in availability and location and fill up quickly, so check out the camps now. Campers enjoy activities including music, nature programs, swimming, boating, athletics, and leadership activities.

Operation Camp Program

The Armed Services YMCA offers a camp program through their Operation Camp Program. The offerings range from day, overnight, and holiday camps depending on the local branch. Some local branches, like ASYMCA San Diego, have the Horse of the Sun Ranch which offers equestrian camps. The program is offered at a no-cost or low cost, depending on the activity.

Operation Xtreme

This summer camp CRISTA Camps offers summer overnight camps for children of active duty, reserve, and retired military at the western-themed Miracle Ranch in Washington. The rates are based on rank, so are at a sliding rate. Gold Star families’ children can attend fee-free. The overnight camp offers activities like canoeing, disc golf, archery, high ropes, horseback, and arts and crafts.

Have a favorite summer camp you send your military kids to? Let us know in the comments!

The Marine Corps is updating its policy on leave allowed for secondary caregivers, often referred to as Permissive Temporary Additional Duty or PTAD. The update comes from Marine Corps Manpower and Reserve Affairs increasing the previous 14 days leave to 21 days of leave. Per Major Jordan Cochran from Marine Corps Manpower and Reserve Affairs, this “will further improve Marine and family readiness, as well as recruiting, retention, and overall talent management of the force.”

This policy is also updated for the Navy with a total of 21 days of leave after the birth or adoption of a child. Per Vice Admiral John Nowell Jr, the Chief of Naval Personnel, the “Navy is dedicated to supporting our new parents, and we fully understand that our families are as much a part of our service as our Sailors.”

These policy updates are short-term solutions “while we await more significant changes anticipated as part of [the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act]” which has a proposed change of paid parental leave for up to 12 weeks for all service members.  The authorization was signed into law in 2021 but requires Congress to pass the defense appropriations bill for funding to be assigned and available for these changes.

The Army and Air Force have had 21 days of parental leave. The Air Force has a Military Parental Leave Program (MPLP) that provides non-chargeable leave entitlements following the birth or adoption of a child as long as the Service Member meets the eligibility requirements.  The Army’s policy of 21-day of non-chargeable leave has been policy since 2019 and can be used within one year of the birth or adoption.

The flexibility for non-chargeable leave is a growing topic of discussion. Some large civilian companies offer up to 20 weeks of paid time for mothers and up to 12 weeks of parental leave for other new parents. These additions are welcome changes as per Pew Research, the United States is the only country that lacks government-mandated paid parental leave across the board in comparison with 40 other countries.  

If your family has received military orders recently, you are probably already looking in every housing website and group for housing at your next destination. You have probably called the on-base military housing to scope out wait times, neighborhoods and maybe even sent in an application. It doesn’t hurt to have options, right? If you are moving to an area where the waitlist for on-base housing is 12+ months, and off-base housing has either low availability or pricing that is not supportable within Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), you might be looking for other options. While you might have to rent that house that is $500 above BAH, and that’s without utilities, you are probably looking for other options as well. So, what other options are there?

Long Term Stay Hotels

Check out chain hotels for “extended stay hotels” that offer larger hotel rooms with amenities that can make hotel living doable for a short period of time. Most of these hotels offer free breakfast, and maybe even free meals for dinner on weekday evenings.  They also offer free nights for stays longer than several nights or offer weekly rates which can lower the overall cost of the stay. If you are looking to cook, most extended stay hotels have a kitchen or kitchenette In with varying appliances depending on the location and brand. While the larger room and kitchen may make it feel like an apartment, it is still very much a hotel This means they may offer daily or weekly housekeeping dropping off coffee and tea and laundry service for towels and sheets. Bonus if there is a pool at the hotel property for burning off kid, and adult, energy at the end of the day. It can be fun for a short stay and make the wait for housing feel more like a vacation than an added stress. Some of these hotels are also pet-friendly, meaning you do not have to board your pet while staying at them.

Temporary Lodging Facilities

Temporary Lodging Facilities, or TLFs, are military hotels that are made with the idea of extended stays – whether it is for those who are coming to the base for training or for PCSing. The TLFs often have a kitchen in some form – usually a stovetop, fridge, freezer, and microwave. Some even have grills on the ground adding extra cooking ability, especially if you do not have an oven and you really want that pizza. TLFs usually have laundry in the hotel, or even may be available in each individual room. This allows for doing laundry all time of day, versus having to find a laundromat. These facilities offer rates based on rank, so usually don’t add up beyond BAH in a total month, or near it.

On Post RV Campground

So you can’t find a house at your next location, or you have a projected 6-12 month wait for on-base housing. If you have an RV, an RV campground is a great place to live. There are many military bases that offer RV campgrounds on the post. This means you can get a lay of the land in regard to the areas around the base and even schools if you have kids to make the best housing decision you can with more information. If you have been looking at getting an RV for your move and can’t find a home, maybe this is the sign to make the purchase. It can be a large purchase and shouldn’t be done simply because you do not have a home lined up. But if you have already been looking and planning on getting an RV, maybe this is your sign. Even if you can’t get a spot at the RV Campgrounds on base, look off base!

Crash At A Friends

This is not ideal for a long-term solution. It’s already rough moving with your teen for the third time in four years, but if you have a family friend that is at the new duty station who is willing to host you and your family and may even help in the transition of the move, this might be ideal for a few weeks. Think of it as one long staycation. Navigating a stay with friends can be tricky and should only be done when both parties can clearly outline expectations on both sides. Free or cheap lodging isn’t worth losing a friendship over.

Geo-Bach It Temporarily

Geo-Bach or Geo-Bachelor is a term used for when the service member goes to the next duty station unaccompanied, or without their family. While it is usually used for those who choose to, or it is deemed necessary for medical reasons, separate from the time of the tour, it can also be done in the short term. If you have a house where you currently live, is it possible to extend where you are while looking for a place to live at the new location or waiting for base housing? If you are on base, will the current military housing allow you to stay while waiting for housing at the next location? If you are locked into a lease at your current location, will the landlords allow you to move later if the military orders have already been executed without financial penalty? This isn’t ideal for everyone and is very much a personal choice, this can provide flexibility in an unknown housing world.

What do you do when you are waiting for on-base housing or can’t find a rental out in town?

Caregivers caring for a special needs family member or a member with an injury have a lot on their plate. Knowing where the resources are on the military post and how to get them allows for the caregivers to have the time they need for themselves all while caring for the family member.

Exceptional Family Member Program

The Exceptional Family Member Program, or EFMP, was established to ensure that family members with health needs would only be moved by the military to locations where those services could be continued. Each military installation has a EFMP office with coordinators there to ensure which services are available and how to get them.  

One program through the EFMP program is Respite Care. Respite care available for each family is different for each branch of service. If you are in the Navy or in the Army, it will not be the same across the board due to the different funding resources for each branch of service. Reach out to your local EFMP office to know what respite care is covered. The idea of respite care if provide a well-trained caregiver to care for the family member with additional needs all while giving the family caregiver a well-deserved and needed break.

Counseling

Caring for an injured or special needs family member adds unique challenges for the caregiver in the family. Non-medical counseling is available on Military One Source via telephone, in person or through live video sessions. There are phone numbers for both OCONUS and CONUS locations.

Medical counseling is available through the military health insurance, TRICARE. At the time of this writing, Telemynd is covered for telehealth counseling services.

The Military and Family Life Counseling Program through the Military and Family Support Center on the military installation offers non-medical counseling for all military-connected family members. They offer in-person counseling both on and off base, allowing for flexibility of the military family. Find your base program here.

Did you know that Military One Source offers Health and Wellness coaching? These coaches can help with managing stress and healthy eating habits. Call the Military One Source number to get in contact and learn more about the services here.

Caregivers Empowering Caregivers

The CEC program through Blue Star Families offers workshops connected caregivers to create peer networks while also sharing resources. These workshops are currently offered virtually but will transition to in-person as able.

Military Veterans Caregiver Network

Become part of a network of military-connected caregivers by competing for this form through Blue Star Families.

Other Resources

The National Alliance for Caregiving is a network and resource for unpaid caregivers caring for those with a mental health condition.

Operation Family Caregiver is a program through the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving that offers peer-to-peer networking for the military caregiver.

Psych Armor is a not-for-profit that offers free online education for military-connected caregivers.  

Here is a downloadable list of resources for military-connected caregivers.

Deployments among military families are a commonality. While the operational tempo seems to have slowed in comparison to a decade ago, deployments are a normal part of military life. Deployments are not enjoyable for military children at any age. It is a time when one parent is across the world, unavailable for regular and usual communication. It can be especially difficult if the deployed parent is the one who does bedtime or the usual driving for the Saturday activities. Deployment is a change in pattern, no matter what is going on.

Can we all agree that being a teen is challenging? It is a time of building on self-esteem and evaluating body image to include the stress of academics and activities while developing character. Add in the challenge of family separation from a family member with the added worry about that family member during deployment and it can be a difficult situation to manage.

Communication

With as much lead time as possible, have an open discussion with the teenager about the deployment. Talk about expectations for the deployment from home and for the service member. Set aside time to allow for your teen to ask questions that may have come up later after the initial discussion. Having these open times for conversation can allow for more time to go over any questions or concerns. If able, turn off any distractions to allow for full attention to the conversation.

Communication continues after the initial discussion, and throughout the deployment. Review how this will happen – through letters, email, or applications like What’s App. This expectation setting helps set the tone for the deployment. Put up a calendar with the expected months of the deployment so there is a clear picture. This visual may be common for younger children, but it is helpful for all ages to have a timeline to return to and review.

Plan Together

As part of the communication, set up expectations for changes in responsibilities during deployment. Allow for a two-way discussion on what will change, what will stay the same, and overall plans. Write up a checklist, or a chart for the change in responsibilities. If it works for your family, decide on a reward system. Adding things to look forward to during deployment help change the focus to positive things to look forward to.

Planning together can continue during deployment. Maybe involve your teen in planning a trip for after deployment. Email back and forth with the deployed parent discussing ideas can keep communication open and allow for an activity to build on the relationship.

Alone Time

As much as possible, plan time for the service member and the teenager for a special outing or activity. Maybe it is to a movie of mutual interest, putt-putt golf, a new video game, or a beach day. There isn’t a magic outing, the idea is to just spend time together. Do what you enjoy together.

Routine, Routine, Routine

During deployment, any parent of young children will tell you to maintain a routine. Keep the routine and it will keep the family dynamic stable. This is still the same for teenagers. It is the same for adults. While teens may have more ability to be flexible in their daily schedules as they get older, teenagers still do well with routines which outline expectations.

Resources

Each military branch has community or family services with programming for families. There is programming for teenagers specifically – often monthly. These programs not only provide military-specific tools to help teens navigate military life but also gets other teens together. Network, community, and support are key to surviving deployment, no matter the age of the person. These teens have something in common – a military parent. Check with the military unit to see if they have gatherings of teens in the unit to get together bringing them together to build relationships.

Counseling

If your teen demonstrates the inability to cope, resume normal activity, or is more withdrawn or aggressive for over two weeks during deployment, these might be signs that there is difficulty in adjusting to the change. Follow-up with your child’s primary care provider, getting connected with Military Family Life Counselors, chaplains, or Military One Source counselors.

There are so many varied responses to deployment as a teen. Military Kids Connect has great text and videos for families and teens to read and review. These can be great ways to communicate about expected feelings or current emotions.

It is no surprise that COVID has shifted the world’s focus. Life shut down two years ago, and there are maintained restrictions and testing due to the previously unknown respiratory virus. The current President has set up an initiative to help curb COVID. The plan is to cover the cost of at-home COVID testing. At-home testing is convenient, reliable, and lessens the exposure of those performing the testing.

In January of 2022, private and group health insurers will be required to reimburse for the cost of up to eight at-home COVID tests per month. TRICARE, a federal program, is not part of this program. This means the TRICARE beneficiaries will not have the same access to cost-cutting as other private insurers.

TRICARE currently only covers COVID testing when the test is ordered by your provider, has symptoms, has exposure, is required for an upcoming surgery or procedure, or is needed for a move overseas. COVID testing for non-military travel, return to work, or return to school is not currently covered under the guidelines unless a provider orders testing.

COVID testing is being done through drive-throughs at many base locations across the United States. If you have symptoms or exposure and you are desiring to be tested, look up your base testing sites. Many states also offer to test for symptoms or exposure at no cost. You can also contact your primary care provider, and if they deem testing necessary, they can order the testing to be done. Based on where your primary care provider is, depends on where you complete your testing. If it is medically necessary, TRICARE will cover it without additional cost.

While at-home COVID testing is not currently covered by TRICARE, you can order 4 tests to be delivered to your home for free at covidtests.gov as part of a recent government initiative.

High school years go by quickly, and if college applications are on your to-do list, there is an added shock added to the cost of a college education. While military families may have transferred GI benefits for their military children, there is still a need and desire to cover college costs as much as possible. Enter scholarship applications.

It isn’t a secret among military families that military children face unique challenges through their education. There are several organizations that offer scholarships to military children specifically. Due dates are typically in the spring, so get looking now to plan out the timing for the applications. Many require essays in addition to basic information.

American Legion

The American Legion’s Legacy Scholarship is for children of post-9/11 veterans who died on active service or those who have a combined disability rating of 50 percent or greater. The application period is open from January 1 to April 30^th.

Amvets

High school seniors military dependents are invited to apply to the AMVETS scholarship once enrolled for an eligible undergraduate degree, demonstrate financial need, submit a resume and essay. The window for application is January 15^th through April 30^th.  Read more about the scholarship here.

Corvias Foundation Scholarship

Children of active-duty service members planning to attend a four-year college or university can apply to the Corvias Foundation Scholarship for up to $12,500 per year for up to two years. The initial application closes on February 15^th, 2022, while additional information will be requested from semi-finalists in March of 2022.

Fisher House

In partnership with Commissary business partners, 500 scholarships of $2,000 each will be given out this year. Eligibility is determined using the DEERS database, so military dependents should be registered in the DEERS system. The applicant must be planning to or already attending a college or university full time for the fall of the year applying. High school applicants must have maintained a 3.0 GPA and college applicants must have a minimum of 2.5 GPA. Apply through the Fisher House website here including a 500-word essay, transcripts, and proof of eligibility.  The application deadline is February 17^th of 2022.

Another scholarship program through Fisher House is the Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship which is open to dependents whose military parent died or became disabled while on active service. High school applicants must have maintained a 3.0 GPA and college applicants must have a minimum of 2.5 GPA. The submission includes documentation of transcripts and sponsors information including application here. The application deadline is February 17^th of 2022.

Service Dependent Scholarships

Each branch of service has scholarships for their dependents. For example, the AFAS General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program offers a scholarship to eligible Air Force Dependents, ranging from $500 to $4,000.  For family members of active duty, retired and honorably discharged Surface Navy personnel, the Anchor Scholarship can be applied to tuition and tuition-related expenses.   The Marine Corps Foundation offers scholarships to children of active duty or reserve or veteran Marine who was honorably discharged or died on active service; additionally, U.S. Navy Corpsmen, Chaplains, or Religious Program Specialists attached to a Marine unit could also apply. The Navy Wives Clubs of America has a scholarship for children of active duty or retired enlisted members of the Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. The Tailhook Education Foundation offers scholarships to high school graduates and children or grandchildren of current or former Naval Aviator, Naval Flight Officer or Air-crewman or those service members who served on board a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier. Relatives of US Navy Chief Petty Officers who meet the eligibility can apply for Chief Petty Officer Scholarships.

Military Child of the Year

While not just for high school students, Operation Homefront’s award is awarded to children ages 13 to 18, with eight children chosen to represent all the branches of the armed forces.

Military Housing

If you are living on base or post, check to see if your military housing offers a scholarship to military families on the base. Each company may have different rules on how long or often you can use the scholarship, but every little bit helps when you are talking about college expenses!

Military Spouse Organizations

No matter where you live, check with the spouse organizations on your base or installation to see if they offer scholarships. Eligibility is typically for children of active duty service members who are currently serving abord the installation that the military spouse group is associated with, but some do allow for children of military retirees in the area to also apply. Some do not have a known dollar amount listed as it is based on funding raised throughout the year, but any amount of money is an added bonus, right?

Veterans United

The Veterans United Foundation Scholarship offers scholarships by semester for those pursuing an associate, bachelor’s, graduate, post-graduate or doctoral degree. Further eligibility and application criteria can be found on their website.

Have a scholarship to share, please let us know!

Health Benefits

While getting outdoors might seem cold in the winter, there are health benefits. Getting outside and moving is the benefit of exercise – even walking daily can improve your cardiovascular health. The exercise increases endorphins which will eventually add energy to your day. The increase in activity helps improve and increase digestion. Walking consistently also has the added benefit of lowering blood pressure and heart rate. In addition, getting outside will allow for natural absorption of Vitamin D in the winter months, something that most people are lacking in the colder months due to the shorter amount of sun exposure.

Where To Go

Check out state and local parks for guides on the best places to go. There are often lists for which hikes are easy (best for toddlers or young children) and pet-friendly hikes. State and local parks often have low or no cost to enter, making it a budget-friendly outing. If you are new to the area and not sure where to check, ask your local neighborhood groups on social media or NextDoor for local recommendations. Often the locals or those who have lived there longer than you have a good idea of where to go for the winter.

AllTrails offers a free and paid app that allows for searching based on location, reviews, or type of activity

If you live near National Parks, these are great options as well. The NPS updates weather advisories daily and includes schedules of what parts of the park will be open at which part of the year. Also, for military families, visiting National Parks is also a budget-friendly option as they offer a free annual pass to military families called the military pass. Yup – 365 days of free admission to all the National Parks around the United States.

Even if you live somewhere cold, you can still safely get out and about if you are wearing appropriate warming layers. Don’t discount exploring the grounds of historic homes. If you have an annual pass to places like Mount Vernon, for instance, there are outdoor winter activities throughout the season. In the colder months, there are typically wood-burning firepits to get warm as well. It may require some hot tea to get around, but you can still get out and about!

Stay At Home

Perhaps you want to stay in your own backyard. If you have a lawn consider lawn games like ladder ball, lawn bowling or inflatable horseshoes. All of these are typically child-friendly. There are even giant versions of 4-in a row or Jenga to get the family today. Looking for a more intense game to test your skill? Check out Bocce ball or croquet! Even if you aren’t continually moving, the idea of being outside and moving your body is the goal of getting outdoors. If you don’t have a lawn, but have a driveway or a paved area consider pick-up basketball or even roller skating! Doing these activities when it is warmer in the middle of the day helps you keep warm. Or if it is too cold, some of these games adapt well to in the garage or shed.

Whatever you do this winter, you can be active in your local area. You don’t have to travel far to get out and do something. Even something as seemingly little as a backyard ball, or tossing a beach ball back and forth promotes activity and increases family bonding.

What is your favorite outdoor activity?

The challenges of military life mean that holidays are often spent alone, separated from the significant other serving in the military. Valentine’s Day is a holiday that has grown over the years to make the month about romance. The history of Valentine’s Day isn’t clear, but it was part of the Christian and Roman celebrations as early as 270 AD. The day isn’t about remembering St. Valentine anymore and moved to Valentine messages being sent to friends beginning in the Middle Ages. The modern Valentine celebration is about fancy dinner, flowers, cards, and if you believe the commercials, sparkly jewelry. But is that what Valentine’s Day is truly about?

When the commercials have moved from the surprise car purchase for the holidays to all the chocolate and travel commercials, it signals the move to Valentine’s Day. Let’s be honest, Valentine’s candy was put up in the stores while the Christmas trees were still in the aisle over. With all the commercialization and visual images, it is hard to imagine spending Valentine’s Day alone, but that is the reality to many military spouses across the world. So what do you do?

Go It Alone

One way to jump into the holiday alone is to jump in it as just that. Plan a date for yourself. Do what you want to do to celebrate. No, your significant other won’t be there but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a self-care date to yourself. Order food that your significant other doesn’t like, rent or borrow a movie from the library that you like and make it a movie night in with your favorite nosh. Or maybe take yourself out. Eating alone isn’t lonely – you can bring a book or listen to an audiobook or just sit and people watch all while enjoying a meal at a local restaurant. Being alone isn’t lonely. Just because your significant other is serving or training elsewhere, doesn’t mean you aren’t loved and supported. You can enjoy a date night in or out for yourself to celebrate the day if you want to.

Family Adventure

You can enjoy the holiday altogether. Get the kids together and make a plan for local adventure to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Maybe head to a local museum or zoo or garden and make it a family date. While your significant other may not be able to join, they will likely enjoy pictures of you and your family out and about enjoying where you live. If you really want to go all-in, consider getting a hotel stay for the weekend for you and the kids. If you have young children, look for a kid-friendly hotel with stools and lowered towel racks or separate sleeping quarters to help you have a relaxing time as well. If you have older children, consider looking for hotels with teen programming that will give them fun events to engage in.

Friend Date

Deployments and training exercises mean that there are multiple service members gone together and leaving their loved ones behind. This also means there is a network of significant others who will be celebrating Valentine’s Day alone. Considering making an event for everyone. You can make it adults only, or adults and kids as an event with crafts, snacks and activities. If you have your own circle of friends, gather them together and host an event – a lunch, dinner or movie! Break out the fancy china and goblets for your friends. Try out a recipe that you have been looking at, or order in. You can make of it what you like and you desire. It’s what you and your friends want it to be or make of it.

Virtual

Maybe your significant other is in a location with the ability to virtually connect. If so, plan a date at a time that works for you both. Maybe virtually watch a movie together, or share a hot beverage with each other over FaceTime.

Or maybe your friends are now scattered across the world because of military life, and you can use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to connect everyone together. Virtually connect on a platform you can all use at a time that works. Share the favorite beverages or snacks you enjoy where you are living. It’s a fun time and an excuse to catch up with your friends.

While Valentine’s Day may have a “traditional” look, nothing about military life is traditional – embrace it and go with it! What will you do to celebrate this year?