Child & Youth Program

The mission of the National Guard Child & Youth Program is to positively impact solider and family readiness, resilience, and retention by providing secure, timely, flexible, and high-quality youth development opportunities and resources that promote the overall wellbeing of Minnesota National Guard children and youth.

Some of the many events and opportunities for children and youth include:

• • Minnesota State Teen Summit - The Minnesota Military Teen Panel plans the Teen Summit and designs the theme, activities, and lead a workshop.

• • Minnesota Military Teen Panel - This is an opportunity for teens in grades 9-12, with an average GPA of "C" or better, is in good standing at school and the community, and who has a family member serving in the Minnesota National Guard. Teen Panel members attend four meetings annually, serve a minimum of 50 hours a year for military and/or community activities, conduct service projects, develop leadership, team building, and communication skills, work with fellow teens to develop innovative programs and opportunities, and inform military leadership about the needs of teens.

• • Teen Leadership Forum - An opportunity for teens in grades 6-12 to challenge, grow, and develop leadership skills by participating in a group project, volunteering for a community service project, and connecting with military teens.

• • Family Overnights - In partnership with other organizations, such as Sea Life in the Mall of America and Discovery Zoo in Medford, Minnesota, families have the opportunity to learn together and stay overnight at these locations.

• • National Guard Youth and Teen Camps - There are several different types of camps. Some are for youth in various ages and others are open to entire families. Each one has different goals and offerings, including transforming the lives of children of wounded, injured, ill, and fallen military heroes, youth sports clinics, wilderness camping and canoeing just for teens, and veterans family retreats.

• • Month of the Military Child - April is designated as the Month of the Military Child across the Department of Defense. This annual observance highlights the important role military children play in the armed forces community. Each year, Child & Youth Program hosts a variety of activities and events in celebration of Month of the Military Child.

• • Purple Up Day - Held on April 15  each year, “Purple Up!" is a day for Department of Defense Education Activity communities to wear purple to show support and thank military children for their strength and sacrifices.

• • Educator Guide/Curriculum - Its mission is to support the readiness and resilience of geographically-dispersed service members and their families by reducing the conflict between parental responsibilities and mission requirements through age-appropriate youth programming. Provided are free online K-12 military Kids Toolkits, book resources, and other support. School counselors or social workers can download an online curriculum that can be implemented in a small group setting or classroom style to form a Kids Club.