CLEARFIELD, Utah — Team Hill’s Airman and Family Readiness Center hosted a Kids Deployment Day for over 500 students at Hill Field Elementary School, April 14, 2017. The event offered children a glimpse into the deployment process.

“This is something we do annually,” said Master Sgt. Shantelle Carpenter, A&FRC NCO in charge and event coordinator, “and we try to pick a school that has a large military presence and Hill Field Elementary definitely has the largest.” 

Moving from station to station, students watched demonstrations and tried on military gear. Hill AFB’s Fire Department, 75th Security Forces Squadron, 75th Medical Group, 775th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight and 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron made presentations during the event.

“We want to let the kids experience what their parents go through during the deployment process,” said Carpenter. “We know mom and dad are deploying, but this is about you guys.”

Team Hill families with students not attending Hill Field Elementary School were also invited and representatives were present to get them visitor passes for the event.

“We have a good relationship with the base because so many kids that we service are on the base,” said school Principal Douglas Forsgren. “This event is a perfect example of how that relationship is going. It’s great to just let the kids know that we appreciate them especially because it is the Month of the Military Child. As we continue to have this type of relationship with the base we are just going to become a better school.”

Hill Field Elementary School conducts a monthly deployment workshop for students organized by the school’s military life counselor. Contact the school for more information.