How to Do a PCS Move Like a Pro from a Military Spouse
July 13, 2023
Love it or hate it, Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves are typical in military life. On average, military families relocate to a new duty station every two to four years. These moves are so frequent that military children entering their senior year of high school are likely to…...
The Scariest Part of Military Spouse Life… Arguably, every military spouse dreads the moment their service member says the words, “I’m getting deployed.” That moment overcomes a military spouse with so many emotions that may range from fear, anxiety, and sometimes, even anger. While every spouse knows that their…...
We drive for almost an hour, winding our way through the base. We pass rolling hills, a neighborhood we once called home, and wildflowers blooming after an unusually wet winter. As we round the last bend, the ocean sparkles its greeting. We pick up a few items from the…...
Happy Mother’s Day, Military Moms! Military moms are truly the backbone of their homes. However, if you are a new military mom, it can feel really overwhelming! Being a new mom is challenging enough, but adding in the chaos of military life can make it even more so. I…...
Every year, the month of April is set aside for Military Child Appreciation Month to recognize and support the children of military families. Military children face many challenges and unique experiences as a result of their parents’ service. Due to lower income rates, frequent moves, and/or military spouse unemployment,…...
Spring break often makes us think of family fun and vacations. Military families on tight budgets may feel that their options for spring break are limited, but I have found that using discounts for military families has allowed my family to have so many exciting and memorable experiences. Here…...
Want to make an immediate and impactful difference for active-duty service member families? A great place to volunteer is at the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA)! Founded in 1861, the ASYMCA is the oldest military support organization in the United States. Now serving 87 installations and facilities nationwide with 12…...
While Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves can occur throughout the year, peak PCS season typically runs from June to the end of September. In honor of April Military Child Month, I want to provide you with four military moving tips that helped my family tremendously during our PCS…...
“Prior to the pandemic, 14% of military families reported not having enough food to feed their families, compared to 11% of all Americans. The latest reports show that today 29% of junior enlisted military families say they are food insecure.” Like many families with junior-enlisted service members, one of…...
Help ASYMCA Celebrate Military Child Appreciation Month!
April 4, 2023
Every year in April, the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) proudly salutes military children during military child month. While this is a time to celebrate the children of military families, it is also an opportunity for others to recognize the unique challenges faced by these extraordinary young people. What…...
When Maya accepted her placement in the Early Childhood Education Fellowship, she thought she was simply stepping into a professional development program. What she didn’t realize yet was that she was beginning a transformative journey—one that would shape not only her career, building portable skills and opening doors to new opportunities, but also the lives of countless young children and families.
On her first day, Maya entered a brightly lit child development center filled with small tables, colorful books, and the joyful hum of children discovering the world. But the fellowship quickly proved to be more than classroom exposure. It was a structured, immersive experience that combined hands-on teaching, mentorship, coursework, and leadership development.
Each week, Maya worked side-by-side with a lead teacher who guided her through the complexities of child development, how to recognize emerging language skills, how to support emotional regulation, and how to design learning experiences that spark curiosity. In the afternoons, she experienced and explored topics with her cohort like equity in early childhood education, trauma-informed teaching, and family engagement. These experiences didn’t just build knowledge — they challenged assumptions and inspired purpose.
Midway through the fellowship, Maya began to see the impact of her growth. She noticed how a child who once struggled to communicate now eagerly shared stories, or how a small adjustment in her teaching approach created a more inclusive environment for a child with sensory needs. These were not just successes; they were life-changing moments.
Equally powerful was the community. The fellowship created a network of passionate peers who shared ideas, challenges, and encouragement. Through collaborative projects and reflective discussions, Maya developed both confidence and a sense of belonging in the profession.
By the end of the program, Maya had not only developed and refined her teaching practice but also discovered her voice as an advocate for early childhood education. She left the fellowship ready to contribute to systemic improvements in the field.
You’re Leaving ASYMCA Now
You are about to be taken to the militarychild care.com site to start the enrollment process.
Thank you for supporting deployed service members and their families
SUCCESS!
Your entry has been submitted.
You are all set! Please remember that only one entry per person is eligible. Additional entries will be disqualified as indicated in the sweepstakes rules.
SUCCESS!
We appreciate you taking the time to connect with us.
Your request has been submitted and you are all set! If you have indicated you want us to contact you, a staff member will be in touch with you within the next few days.