Oregon hosts U.S. Army and Air National Guard, Army Reserve and U.S. Coast Guard operations. More than 2,000 children with active-duty military parents and more than 7,200 children with parents in the National Guard or military reserves live in the state, according to 2023 data from the U.S. Department of Defense.

Scattered across Oregon's communities without the built-in support of base life, military-connected kids often navigate frequent relocations, parental deployments and changing schools. Cost, transportation and limited awareness of local resources can further keep military families from the consistent, supportive out-of-school experiences that help children thrive.

Military Kids Club was created to address that gap. Launched by the Oregon National Guard Child & Youth Program after the COVID-19 pandemic, the club was designed to reconnect military-connected youths across the state and help them feel less isolated.

After its first year, the program partnered with Oregon State University Extension's 4-H Youth Development program in Marion County. The proximity to the Oregon National Guard's headquarters in Salem has kept the partnership strong for the past four years.

The club meets virtually once a month from October through May, drawing 10 to 14 youths per session from across the state, including both Army and Air National Guard families. Most participants come from Western Oregon, including Marion, Polk, Yamhill, Linn, Lane and Benton counties.

Sessions cover a wide range of topics, such as drug abuse resistance and ocean science. 4-H faculty and staff lead engaging activities with the children, including STEM and art lessons. Beyond the monthly meetings, the program also hosts day camps, family nights and outreach fairs, and some teens attend the 4-H Summer Conference on the OSU campus in Corvallis. Last year, more than 50 youths took part in a single camp.

Expanding accessible youth development

To make the program accessible to more families, participation is free. The Oregon National Guard Child & Youth Program purchases supplies and mails monthly activity boxes directly to participants' homes, so barriers such as transportation, cost or a parent's deployment won’t stand in the way. Marion County 4-H contributes staff time and educational programming at no cost.

For many participating families, the Military Kids Club is also their introduction to 4-H. Before joining, many had no awareness of the broader youth development opportunities available to them in their own counties. The partnership has opened a door into Oregon's larger 4-H network while giving military-connected youths a safe space to build confidence, develop problem-solving and leadership skills and connect with peers who share their experiences.

4-H faculty and staff members in Marion County have observed substantial growth from the participants over the years in their willingness to take part in public speaking, share thoughts, solve problems with STEM challenges and make friends.

Public value

Oregon depends on its military families. The Oregon National Guard responds to wildfires, floods and other state emergencies alongside its federal mission, and that readiness rests on the stability of the families who serve.

OSU Extension 4-H’s support to the Military Kids Club strengthens quality programs, allowing military personnel to focus on their mission. When military children have a consistent space that helps them build friendships, develop skills and feel rooted in their communities, it benefits their overall well-being as their families move between assignments.

By meeting military youths where they are and removing barriers to participation, OSU Extension helps ensure that the children of those who serve Oregon and the nation have the same opportunities to learn, lead and belong as any other young Oregonian.