November 2010

Month of the Military Family

In Youth Activities there are three segments that all fall under Child and Youth Programs. This month I have moved from working with School Age Care to working with Youth Sports. I was very pleased when I made the change because I have such a rich background in sports and I knew that I would definitely be able to make an impact with them and get the fulfillment I was looking for. I created goals for myself before I started working with them, so that I would have something to aim for while I was in their department.

Goals: 

1. To be able to organize a specific activity for the Month of the Military Family Night.

2. Build a relationship with Youth Activities staff and take on more projects.

3. Be an advocate for Youth Sports.

4. Be ready for anything!

This was a very active month for the Child and Youth Program. It was dedicated to the "Month of the Military Family" (MMF). I had heard several times upon my arrival in Italy, that one of the biggest months would be November because that is a month that is specifically dedicated to the service members and their families. MWR, Youth Activities, and other departments would take part in creating activities and or events that acknowledge and show appreciation to our military community. I was very excited because I had set goals for myself about what I would like to be involved in or possibly do during this month.


Projects I conducted for MMF Event:

• Program Youth Sports Activity for MMF Night- Obstacle Course November 17, 2010
• Photograph Month of the Military Family Event Night with youth activities
• Create November Newsletter informing military community of upcoming events dedicated to children and families.
• Assisted in re-creating CYP Coaches and Volunteer Trainings. Transitioned it from in class to CD-Rom enabling new staff members to complete in a timely fashion before seasons for any particular sport begins. 

                                                                      Month of the Military Family Night 

                                                                    Family Activities :-)

Creation Room- Parents and Children decorating American Flags- MMF Night

MMF Obstacle Course- Youth Sports 

(The children enjoyed this simple game!)

September 27, 2010

Bienvenuti a Napoli!!!

Home sweet home for the next 6 months!  We arrived in Napoli, Italy with nothing but excitement and anticipation. 



The first week arriving to Naples was a busy one. We had a lot of last minute polishing that we had to take care of and then we would be well on our way in starting the internship. It was a breath of fresh air knowing that I had a made it. I have never been on a military installation before, but from what I could see I was already taking it all in. Immediately, we were introduced to individuals that we would be working with; one after the other. Jet lag was slowly working its way in my system, but being in a new atmoshphere easily took that away. Look forward to see what's coming next...



Orientation

Idianapolis, Indiana. Before arriving, I was unsure what to expect going into it, but I was very clear about what is was that I was hoping to get out of it. I have to say that it was an amazing experience and I learned a lot, especially knowing very few about the military. Not only did I gain more of an understanding about the military and its children and families, but I had the opportunity to be surrounded by an amazing group of individuals; Internship Coordinators, different military branch members, and of course meeting one of the best group of young women in the program that I have ever known. Each of us had a combination of drive, ambition, and goals...a great combination for success. It was very humbling and exciting to see how interested and ready these ladies were to get started in their area of expertise, just as I was! After this orienation was over I was hopeful and anxious about taking that next step more than ever. Italy here I come!



Sheraton Hotel- Night Balcony View



June 2010

In my final semester of college, I was trying to figure out the next step I would be taking in my life as far as purusing a career and gaining more experience in working with children and families. As I was in the process of completing my paraprofessional internship course requirement, my internship coordinator recommend to all of us students to branch out and try something new. She informed us about Purdue's Military Extenstion Internship. As I reviewed the website and what the different military branches had to offer for their children and families, it started to became very appealing, so I decided to apply. Naples, Italy. After hearing that I was accepted into the program and that I would be traveling overseas, I knew that I had being given the opportunity of a lifetime!