Military families enjoy active day at Beaver Island

By Alice Gerard

Senior Contributing Writer

Outdoor games, a shared meal, a glimpse of Grand Island history and other activities were part of Western New York Heroes and Operation Children of the Military’s first annual picnic, held July 21 at Beaver Island State Park.

“We enjoyed a grilled lunch, kayaked in the lagoon, had lawn games, toured the Grand Island Historical Society, played volleyball and enjoyed outdoor yoga,” said Robin Shipman, program coordinator with Operation Children of the Military. “We ended with time at the beach, and we enjoyed root beer floats.”

This organization, founded in 2009, is run out of the Mental Health Advocates agency. It is designed to support military families with the stresses of such things as deployments and reunification.

Shipman explained, “Life is stressful. Military family members encounter additional stressors. We take their mental health seriously and plan wholesome, life-affirming activities in Western New York”

The picnic was a big hit for the veterans and their families, Shipman said.

“Veterans loved the experience, and many had never been to Beaver Island State Park before, but they plan to return,” Shipman said. “It was satisfying because this is the first time Operation Children of the Military and Western Heroes collaborated on an event of this scale. Veterans shared that they loved the kayaking experience in a lagoon. We’re grateful that Curt Nestark (president of the Grand Island Historical Society) opened River Lea for them to get a personal tour, and they loved the root beer floats at the end, which proved to be a refreshing dessert.”

“Together, both organizations invited active, retired and reserve military members and their families. There were 92 military in attendance,” Shipman said.

According to information Shipman provided about Operation Children of the Military, “The program uses a nontraditional approach to working with military children, using hands-on creative art projects, group work and the power of play as a means of expression. Children learn positive coping skills, how to express their feelings, and ways to strengthen their self-confidence, all while fostering family time.”

“It made me happy to coordinate this event,” Shipman said. “I was a youth director for the United States Air Force decades ago. We had the unique experience of traveling the world as a family. It thrills me to be able to coordinate programs that allow veterans to interact and get to know one another in healthy environments. We are happier when we gather versus isolating. Research shows we are happier when we are moving and outdoors. It’s a privilege to work under Mental Health Advocates, located at 1021 Broadway, in Buffalo.”

Operation Children of the Military posts three to five outings per month on its Facebook page.

“We are in both Niagara and Erie counties. We are planning a veteran retreat to Beaver Hollow Conference Center in Java, New York. It will include yoga, sports, healthy, eating, swimming and bonfires,” Shipman said. “Next month, we head back to Explore & More Museum of Play in Buffalo. And we will be back, by popular demand, to kayak in the lagoon again.”

Shipman said she was thankful for the help of the Niagara Falls interpretive parks program.

“Any veterans reading this article are welcome to reach out to my marketing person, Sara Applin. There is no obligation,” Shipman said.

If you have a military connection and would be interested in learning more about this organization, contact Applin at [email protected].