The University of Toledo’s Rocket Kids program is set to head overseas this summer to take care of children whose parents are in the U.S. military.
The U.S. Department of Defense granted the college $11.5 million in July to operate the program for five years during fall, spring, and summer semesters in Belgium, Italy, and Germany.
The program starts this summer and will pay for housing and travel, and provides around $2,100 to students during the 12-week program.
Before going overseas, students will be required to undergo 60 hours of training as well as certifications in CPR, first aid, and childhood development.
A similar program preceded Rocket Kids for 35 years but ended because of the coronavirus pandemic, said Dr. Sam Spann, Rocket Kids’ director.
The military then asked the university to do a proposal for another program that addressed the same need, he said.
“The program is important because a lot of times in the military, there are huge gaps in service for childcare on military bases,” Dr. Spann said. “The military bases overseas don’t have enough staffing to run successful programs. The college students go over as mentors, camp counselors, and child development supplemental staff with a lot of excitement, high energy and they take a piece of America over there with them.”
After interviewing more than 120 applicants, the program has selected 50 students to go overseas, with 35 of them going this summer, Dr. Spann said.
Marysa King, a sophomore majoring in middle childhood education, is going for a love of kids and her country, and Esperenza Hallauer, a junior majoring in adolescent young childhood education, said she’s going because of her family’s military ties.
“One of my counselors recommended the program to me, which is how I found about it,” Ms. King said. “My passion is working with kids and this is a perfect opportunity to do just that while also supporting people serving our country and their families.”
“A lot of my family are in the military,” Ms. Hallauer said. “I think this is a great way to pursue my career and my passion while also giving back to the U.S. military.”
First Published February 19, 2023, 5:28 p.m.
