- Morale, Welfare and Recreation activities are available on your local installation (installations.militaryonesource.mil/?look- ing-for-a=program/program-service=5/focus=program)
- Installation youth centers (installations.militaryonesource.mil/?looking-for-a=program/program-ser- vice=31/focus=program) offer a safe environment for youth to explore interests, build skills and experience success. Installation youth centers offer a number of programs for youth and teens (ww.militaryonesource.mil/family-rela- tionships/family-life/for-military-youth-and-teens/militaryyouth-and-teen-programs) , including informal and formal sports and fitness programs, open recreation, youth sponsorship and special-interest instructional classes including dance, martial arts, music and more.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America's MISSION: Youth Outreach (bgca.org/about-us/military) provides a free membership to local Boys & Girls Clubs for military youth ages 6 to 18 who do not live near or have access to a military youth center. Boys & Girls Clubs offers a wide variety of recreational and educational programs.
- 4-H Military Partnership (4-hmilitarypartnerships.org) provides military youth the opportunity to join 4-H clubs in their communities and participate in summer camps around the country. 4-H offers a wealth of resources in STEM subjects, healthy living, citizenship, public speaking and other military core program areas providing valuable life skills, curriculum and resources for military youth and teens across the country and around the world. Add to your child's summer lineup by exploring the 4-H Military Teen Adventure Camps (extension.purdue.edu/4-H/get-involved/military-teen-adventure- camps/index.html), offered coast to coast for teens age 13-18. Visit the 4-H Military Partnership website to learn more.
- Explore healthy living articles available through Military OneSource, including Fun and Fitness — The Essentials, Make Active Living a Priority To Improve Family Fitness and About Morale, Welfare and Recreation: Supporting the Military Community: militaryonesource.mil/recre- ation-travel-shopping/recreation/fun-and-fitness/fun-andfitness-the-essentials
Boost your child's social and academic success by making healthy eating and physical activity part of your family's daily life.
MENTAL HEALTH
Your youth's mental health is also essential to maintaining energy and engagement in their physical and academic activities. Help your child remain rested and mentally healthy by keeping an eye on these factors:
- • Establishing and maintaining routines can help set up your child for success. Keep regular meal and homework times, and be sure to set aside time for physical activity each day. (militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/parenting-and-chil- dren/parenting-youth-and-teens/how-to-create-and-maintain-routines).
- Look for signs of mental health challenges or issues that might be troubling your child (militaryonesource.mil/health-well- ness/mental-health/mental-health-support/mental-health-matters-in-the-military). Child and youth behavioral counselors are available at many child development centers, youth centers and even some schools. Call Military OneSource at 800-342-9647 to ask about the Military and Family Life Counseling Program (militaryonesource.mil/confidential-help/non-medical-counsel- ing/military-and-family-life-counseling/the-military-and-family-life-counselingprogram).
- MilKids Connect (militarykidsconnect.health.mil/Health-and- Wellness) offers a health and wellness section for youth to take control of their own wellness goals. And your child has the added benefit of being able to connect with other military children facing the same challenges. MYPLATE.GOV Healthy eating tips, recipes and printable posters, placemats and activity sheets to use at home. myplate.gov
- Health and wellness coaching is also available for teens (militaryonesource.mil/health-wellness/healthy-living/fitness-nutrition-active- living/health-and-wellness-coaching-for-teens). This free service is available to teens age 13 and up by phone and video. Consultants offer guidance and resources to assist with weight management, fitness, nutrition, stress management and more. Sign your teenager up for health and wellness coaching sessions today.
FOOD FOR TOUGHT : MAKING HEALTHY CHOICES
Healthy eating tips, recipes and printable posters, placemats and activity sheets to use at home. myplate.gov
DEFENSE COMMISSARY AGENCY
Offers recipes, cooking tips and articles on healthy eating and exercise for you and your family. commissaries.com
Unlock the Savings and Nutrition Inside Your Commissary includes tips on making healthy choices and raising a healthy eater.
militaryonesource.mil/recreation-travel-shopping/commissary-exchange/unlock- the-savings-and-nutrition-inside-your-commissary
Nonnecting to comprehensive information on nutrition, physical activity and mental health will help enable you and your family to be mission ready. Military OneSource is your 24/7 connection to information, parenting tips and support — your one source for your best MilLife. If you have additional questions about health and well-being for your family, call Military OneSource at 800-342-9647, view international calling options (militaryonesource.mil/international-calling-options) or schedule a live chat (livechat.militaryonesourceconnect.org/chat).
– Military OneSource