Resources For Military Kids

We love military kids. They show us sacrifice, resilience, and courage every day. Did you know that there are many fantastic programs and non-profit organizations available for military children? Below, we have listed some of these opportunities that you may not know about.

National Military Family Association | The NMFA offers many different resources for military children. Their Operation Purple Program includes Operation Purple Camp, Operation Purple Healing Adventures, and Operation Purple Family Retreats - all offering opportunities for military families to connect and be together. Their website also includes educational and deployment resources.

Military Child Education Coalition | The MCEC focuses on ensuring quality educational opportunities are afforded to all military children that are affected by mobility, transition, and family separation. Their website shares resources, programs, and free camp opportunities through scholarships.

Blue Star Families | BSF offers programs and support systems designed to keep military children healthy and happy. The focus is on creating literacy, transitioning to new schools, new neighborhoods, and deployments. Visit the website’s events calendar to learn more about their programs.

Military OneSource | Military OneSource offers fantastic resources and support for military families - child development, teen issues, community involvement, deployment, PCS moves, and much more.

MilitaryKidsConnect.org | This site is from the Department of Defense and is directed to kids, tweens, and teens. Personal story videos, animated graphic novels, online games, and communications avenues to connect with other military kids on the site let kids know that the struggles they have are shared and do have solutions.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America |  The Boys & Girls Clubs partner with the U.S. Armed Forces to help the children of military families with the challenges that military life presents. In addition to traditional Boys & Girls Club locations, there are over 500 BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers located on U.S. military installations worldwide. Ask about annual, no-cost memberships provided to children who live outside of military installations. 

Chameleon Kids Life Magazine | The quarterly Military Kids Life magazine is for kids 6 and up. It includes current information, fun ideas, and creative products for military kids. Their goal is to help kids see the bright side of military life, even when it is most challenging. 

Tutor.Com for Military Children | You can receive homework and studying assistance from a professional tutor any time you need it. FREE for students in military families. Expert tutors are online 24/7! Help is available in more than 16 subjects including Math, Science, Social Studies, English, test prep, and more. 

Scholarships For Military Children Program | The Fisher House Foundation is a sponsor of the Scholarships for Military Children Program, where a minimum of one $2,000 scholarship is awarded for every commissary location where qualified applications are received. 

Our Military Kids | Our Military Kids awards grants to children of deployed National Guard and Reserve personnel, and all Wounded Warriors. Grants are for fine arts, sports, and tutoring. These activities can help the children with stress and anxiety in a positive way while their parents recover from severe service-related injuries. Now open to children from 3-18 years of age. 

Thanks USA | This group provides college, technical, and vocational school need-based scholarships for children of U.S. military personnel. 

Camp Corral | Offering free summer camps for military kids. Summer camp sessions are available in 19 states. Registration priority is granted to children of disabled, wounded, and fallen military members.

4-H Military Partnerships | 4-H clubs provide consistency in belonging to a community and an opportunity to develop life skills through a positive youth development framework. These clubs are offered on military installations worldwide, and also in the communities where you live. Camping opportunities are available for military kids and their families.

Waves of Honor Program | Receive a complimentary admission for military personnel and up to 3 direct dependents this summer at Sea World, Busch Gardens, Sesame Street, Aquatica, and Adventure Island parks across the United States.

Horses4Heroes | Their mission is to make horseback riding accessible and affordable for service members, veterans, survivors, First Responders, and their families. Over 200 therapeutic equestrian centers throughout the country offer instructional, recreational, and morale-boosting health and wellness programs. 

There are also tons of great opportunities for summer fun at your local military base. Check your Morale, Welfare, and Recreation center for children’s programs this summer. And let us know if we missed any programs in the comments below. If your family will be making a PCS move this year, contact one of our Military Relocation Specialists to get you started.