Military Camp at OSU helps put service families at ease

 

 

By Felix Hoover

For Your News Columbus

July 27, 2010

 

Breannah Flemister of Worthington and Sam Gifford of the West Side had just finished passing and dribbling a soccer ball on the football practice fields at Ohio State University, when they eagerly awaited their turn to learn the basics of lacrosse.

 

They were among a group of 5- to 12-year-olds who took part in Operation Military Kids Hero Camp, a day-long camp for military families. The OSU Department of Athletics, Ohio State University Extension and its Ohio 4-H program and the Ohio National Guard sponsored the event.

 

The intent was to underscore the value of fitness and health in dealing with stress related to separation from parents who are deployed for military service, said Erin Berry, youth program specialist for Operation Military Kids. In the process, children are expected to learn skills that will help them become more resilient and able to deal with other stressful situations in the future.

 

While the youngsters were taking part in the various sports, parents were engaging in STRONG Family Workshop session at the university’s Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center on Fred Taylor Drive.

 

OSU has hosted other events with the military families, but this was for first time for a day-camp, said Theresa M. Ferrari, project director for Operation Military Kids.

 

Although the day’s activities had a serious purpose, they were done for fun in an enjoyable setting.

 

The children were split into four groups and rotated among stations for soccer, lacrosse and track and field where they received instruction from Ohio State student-athletes, such as sophomore Rachael Mack, a jumper and sprinter from El Paso, Texas.

 

She demonstrated how to use starting blocks, how to pass a baton and how to conduct a relay race.

 

“The kids are really engaged;” Mack said. “They really like to learn how to do stuff and they really want to get it right. So they’re all about perfection, but they look like they’re having a lot of fun.”

 

She learned from the experience, too.

 

“I thought it would be a good opportunity to meet people whose family members are in the military overseas and to see how they’re coping with everything,” Mack said.

 

She doesn’t have military connections, but many of the college students do.

 

“I used to do this kind of thing when I was a little kid,” said senior Jessi James of Canton, who staffed the first-aid station along with junior Daniel Sherrill of Beaver Creek.

 

Besides doing sports drills, the campers got to tour the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

 

And in case participants wanted more, they had a chance to meet with OSU Head Football Coach Jim Tressel, Brutus Buckeye and cheerleaders during lunch.