Photo Location: Colorado Springs, CO

The Blue Star Connect Outdoors program is a national initiative by Blue Star Families designed to connect military families with the restorative power of nature. It provides inclusive, accessible outdoor experiences—such as hiking, camping, and nature-based learning—that promote wellness, community connection, and environmental stewardship.Through monthly events and multi-month cohorts in non-chapter locations, the program helps families build resilience, foster belonging, and engage with public lands and local green spaces. 

The program emphasizes six core values: cultivating belonging, ensuring access to outdoor spaces, enhancing mental health and wellness, promoting healthy lifestyle habits, encouraging environmental stewardship, and fostering positive engagement. By focusing on these principles, Blue Star Connect Outdoors aims to create a supportive environment where military families can thrive through meaningful outdoor experiences. 

For more information about events and how to get involved, you can visit the Blue Star Connect Outdoors page.

The BSCO program has successfully:

• Enhanced Community Engagement: By organizing diverse events, the programs have fostered stronger connections among military families and between military and civilian communities.
• Promoted Environmental Awareness: Activities like park cleanups and educational hikes have instilled a sense of environmental responsibility.
• Supported Mental Well-being: Engaging with nature has provided therapeutic benefits, contributing to the mental health of participants.

Locations

• National Capital Region (D.C. & Baltimore)

• Jacksonville, North Carolina
• Whidbey Island, Washington
• San Antonio, Texas
• Melbourne, Florida
• Miami, Florida
• Norfolk/Hampton Roads, Virginia
• Rapid City, South Dakota
• Colorado Springs, Colorado Kings Bay
• Georgia/Jacksonville, Florida

MFO is committed to enhancing the health,
well-being, and overall quality of life of active-duty military and their families by providing meaningful outdoor experiences. Through engaging programs in national parks, public lands, and waterways, MFO provides military families with the opportunity to experience the life-changing benefits of nature.

In its 2024 pilot year, MFO impacted over 9,000
participants, offering an array of outdoor experiences such as guided hikes, camping trips, environmental education programs, and water-
based recreation. These activities promote stress reduction, community connection, physical well-being, and a lifelong connection to nature. These outcomes increase
quality of life for military families and aid in the retention of service members in the All
Volunteer Force. MFO is committed to making America healthy again.

MFO is administered by the Defense Health Agency (DHA) and the National Park Service
(NPS), and led by Blue Star Families (BSF) in collaboration with leading outdoor organizations, including Wilderness Inquiry (WI), YMCA of the USA, and The Center for
Health & Nature at Texas A&M University. These partnerships ensure high-quality, expert-led programming tailored to the needs of military-connected communities.

The Mayor’s Summer Night Lights (SNL) is an 8-week community initiative designed to provide safe, engaging, and enriching evening activities for youth and families in Clarksville, TN. With a mission to reduce gang violence and increase community support, the program featured a dynamic mix of entertainment, sports tournaments, educational sessions, local resource booths, arts and crafts, guest speakers, and free meals provided by local nonprofit Manna Café.

As the program lead, Kayla managed all aspects of SNL, serving over 8,000 residents each summer. She oversaw a $22,000 operating budget and was responsible for staffing, including the recruitment, hiring, training, and evaluation of part-time team members. She coordinated with local agencies, secured vendors, and developed a social media strategy to effectively promote the program citywide.

During her leadership, Kayla also secured a $1,200 sponsorship from Walmart, enhancing program resources and reach. Her work ensured the program’s success in delivering meaningful community impact and positive youth engagement.

As Program Manager for SBT, Kayla played a multifaceted, role in advancing the mission to coach and empower America’s veterans, spouses, and caregivers to thrive at home, in the workplace, and within their communities.

She oversaw the full scope of SBT’s Coaching Program operations—including program management, event coordination, social media marketing, fundraising and grant support, budget development and implementation, and various administrative functions.

The Mayor’s Savannah Youth Council is a leadership and civic engagement program composed of a diverse group of 8th grade students. Created through the vision of the Mayor and Aldermen, the council provides a supportive platform for youth to grow, build life skills, and prepare for a successful future.

In her role, Kayla was responsible for planning and facilitating youth-centered events, teaching leadership development sessions, and coordinating educational field trips to various city departments—giving students a behind-the-scenes look at how local government operates and encouraging civic involvement at an early age.

21st Century Leaders is a Georgia-based nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and equipping high school students to embrace diversity, explore career pathways, and become effective leaders in their schools, communities, and future workplaces.

As a program facilitator, Kayla led monthly in-person sessions focused on leadership development and team-building. During the January 2021 session, she guided students through an interactive activity titled “Build Your Dream Team,”which encouraged creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Students designed fictional characters, assigned leadership traits, and worked together to complete a team mission—such as battling dragons to save the world—while learning what it takes to build a strong and effective team.

The Lifelong Learning Enrichment and Advancement Program (LEAP) was created to strengthen and sustain senior programming across Savannah, Georgia, in partnership with the City’s Parks and Recreation Department.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Kayla led a coordinated effort with her team to support homebound seniors by distributing over 700 care packages filled with non-perishable food items and essential supplies. She also helped deliver fresh herbs and vegetables from local community gardens. This initiative was made possible through collaboration with America’s Second Harvest and all 12 community centers throughout the city.

From 2020 to 2022, Kayla helped plan and execute the Annual Fair Housing Month Block Party & Resource Fair—a community-focused event designed to promote fair housing awareness and connect residents with local resources.

In her role, she managed event logistics, secured vendors and community partners, coordinated outreach and marketing efforts, and ensured alignment with Fair Housing Month goals. She also oversaw setup and breakdown, organized on-site activities, and collaborated with local agencies to provide educational materials, free resources, and family-friendly entertainment for attendees.

The City of Clarksville’s Mayor’s Youth Council brings together young leaders with a shared goal of strengthening their community through volunteer service, civic engagement, and direct communication with elected officials.

As the program coordinator, Kayla led leadership development workshops, organized community service projects, and facilitated field trips to city departments to promote civic awareness. She also supported youth-led initiatives—such as a literacy campaign where her students successfully collected and donated over 1,000 books to local elementary schools.

Kayla coordinated a monthly Goat Yoga series offered over a six-month period, designed to provide a fun, beginner-friendly wellness experience for all levels of yoga practitioners.

She managed all event logistics—including scheduling certified instructors, securing the venue and goats, coordinating participant registration, marketing the classes, and ensuring smooth on-site execution. Each class, priced at $25, offered a calming and positive atmosphere where attendees could practice yoga basics while interacting with trained goats in a relaxed outdoor setting.

The Wheelchair Basketball League at Austin Peay State University was an inclusive, adaptive sports program designed to promote physical activity, teamwork, and community engagement for individuals with physical disabilities. The league fostered a supportive and empowering environment where athletes of all abilities could compete, connect, and build confidence through sport.

Kayla supported league operations by coordinating game schedules, assisting with event logistics, and collaborating with university staff and community partners. She helped recruit participants, promoted the league through outreach efforts, and ensured accessibility and safety measures were in place for both athletes and spectators. Her involvement contributed to the league’s success in promoting inclusion and adaptive recreation in the community.

These outdoor recreation events offered participants the opportunity to explore local waterways by canoe or kayak in a safe, guided environment. Designed for all experience levels, the float provided a relaxing way to enjoy nature, build paddling skills, and engage in physical activity.

Kayla was responsible for planning and executing the event from start to finish. Her duties included coordinating with water safety personnel, securing equipment and permits, managing participant registration, and overseeing on-site logistics. She also ensured proper safety protocols were in place, communicated event details to participants, and worked with partners to enhance the overall experience.

Clarksville's Spring Break Camp provided a week-long, engaging experience for youth during their school break, offering a variety of recreational, educational, and enrichment activities in a safe and supportive environment. The camp focused on building social skills, promoting physical activity, and introducing participants to new hobbies and interests through themed programming.

Kayla was responsible for developing and coordinating daily schedules, supervising staff, and ensuring the smooth operation of camp activities. Her duties included planning enrichment workshops, organizing field trips, managing registration, and maintaining communication with parents and guardians. She also ensured a safe and inclusive environment by implementing behavior management strategies and aligning all activities with youth development best practices.

The Sleeping Under the Stars Campouts were family-friendly overnight events hosted by the City of Clarksville to encourage outdoor recreation and strengthen community connections. These campouts offered participants a chance to unplug, enjoy nature, and bond through activities such as campfire stories, games, nature walks, and stargazing—all in a safe, welcoming park environment.

Kayla played a key role in planning and executing these events. Her responsibilities included coordinating logistics, securing permits and supplies, managing registration, and collaborating with Parks & Recreation staff and local partners. She also oversaw event setup and breakdown, developed schedules of activities, and ensured a positive and safe experience for all attendees.

The Wetlands Walk was an educational and exploratory outdoor experience designed to connect participants with the unique ecosystems of local wetlands. Led by environmental educators or park staff, the walk highlighted native plant and animal species, the importance of wetland conservation, and the ecological value of these natural areas.

Kayla coordinated event logistics, including partnering with naturalists or city staff, organizing registration, promoting the event to the community, and preparing educational materials. She ensured accessibility and safety along the walking route and created a welcoming environment where participants of all ages could engage with nature and deepen their environmental awareness.

The Riverfest Family Zone was a highlight of the City of Clarksville’s annual Riverfest celebration, providing a vibrant, family-friendly space filled with interactive games, crafts, educational booths, and kid-focused entertainment. The zone offered a safe and fun environment where families could relax and enjoy quality time together during one of the city's largest community events.

Kayla was responsible for coordinating all aspects of the Family Zone from 2018 to 2019. Her tasks included planning and organizing age-appropriate activities, managing vendor and partner relationships, recruiting and supervising volunteers, and overseeing setup and breakdown. She also led outreach and communication efforts to promote the zone, ensured child safety measures were in place, and worked closely with Parks & Recreation to align the programming with the overall event vision.

The Liberty Park Halloween Takeover was a festive, family-oriented event that brought the community together for a night of spooky fun. Featuring trick-or-treat stations, costume contests, and themed entertainment, the event also included a popular pumpkin carving station, where families could design and decorate their own jack-o’-lanterns.

Kayla oversaw the full planning and coordination of the event, including logistics, vendor partnerships, staff supervision, and on-site operations. She organized the pumpkin carving activity by securing supplies, setting up carving stations, and implementing safety measures for participants of all ages. Her leadership ensured a smooth and engaging experience that became a seasonal favorite for the community.

Students Under Construction Creating and Empowering Self Success (S.U.C.C.E.S.S.) is a youth development program designed to build leadership traits, critical thinking skills, and career readiness in a dynamic and supportive environment.

In her role, Kayla facilitated interactive workshops focused on leadership development, guided students through resume writing and career exploration activities, and connected participants with local resources and opportunities for life after graduation. She also managed program planning, coordinated guest speakers, and ensured sessions were both engaging and impactful for youth participants.